Gorgeous Offering for Short Story Fans
THE OTHER SHORE Reviewed By Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite
The Other Shore: Ordinary People Grappling with Extraordinary Challenges by Madhu Bazaz Wangu is an anthology of short stories, an engaging collection, indeed. Readers will encounter well-developed characters as they navigate the challenges of life, trying to understand the world around them and how it works, like Mohini in “The Other Shore.” There is the story of Man and Woman in which Woman follows Man on his wanderlust and wonderment in “Magic Box,” watched and commented on by the gods. “Cadmium and Crimson” is the tale of a dream that would change the community. In “Silence Heard,” Madhuri wants to befriend silence and surround himself with noiselessness, but her journey is one that will surprise her and readers. Each story is unique, told in a style that is engaging and in a captivating voice, brimming with insights about life.
Madhu Bazaz Wangu has an observant and highly descriptive style of writing, exploring the spiritual and human depths of the characters. The themes of nature, work, romance, family, religion, personal development, education, and climate change are well-written in the stories, and while they are entertaining, they are inspirational, too. The themes of death, “the other shore,” and finding purpose are predominant, and I enjoyed how the author explores the nature of the characters, their deepest longings, and the way they relate to other characters in the stories. This author has the gift of creating stories in settings that are well-imagined and plot points that are strong. The Other Shore: Ordinary People Grappling with Extraordinary Challenges is a gorgeous offering for short story fans, written in beautiful language and exploring topics that are thought-provoking.