| ID | 045307 |
| Call Number | 823/KOT |
| Title Proper | The Last Laugh |
| Other Title Information | Stories where women take centre-stage |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Kottary Gajra |
| Publication | Mumbai, Jaico Publishing House, 2002. |
| Description | 179p |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Written in a lucid style, the remarkable quality of the collection are the plots. The Last Laugh is Kottary's second collection of short stories where women take center-stage. It is inspired by the 'twist-in-the-tail' style of Roald Dahl, though the tales are not as macabre.
They are a delightful mix. A new bride's fantasy, the existential frustrations of a crusader's wife, the dilemma of a chic MBA in publicly recognizing her homespun parents, an aware-winning journalist who finds her campaign gone awry, a danseuse realizing that a Guru must do more than merely teach.. These are some of the experiences encountered by the protagonists in these stories. There is also a Rashomon-like tale of two women comparing husbands. Plus stories of loveless marriages, noisy neighbors, the sane insane, indecisiveness and also on what could go wrong in a sex-change operation.
Written in a lucid style, the remarkable quality of the collection are the plots. As also the writing; in the seamless fusion of thoughts, self-doubts and recollections of the characters with their dilemmas. While sketching a portrait of existence in contemporary urban India, these stories showcase some of the foibles of women and delight the reader with their quaint unpredictability. |
| Contents | 1. All for the Good Cause
2. Such a Long Journey
3. Happily Ever After
4. The Guru
5. A Clean Slate
6. Waxworks
7. Insane and Able
8. Screaming Silence
9. Face to Face
10. Two Gold Guineas
11. A Decision at last
12. Family Ties
13. Turning Point
14. The Final Act
15. Virginal Fantasy
16. Not Man Enough
|
| Standard Number | 9788179921258 |
| Price. Qualification | 150/- |
| Classification Number | 823 |
| Key Words | Women ; Stories ; Gifted |