Book Review - Tales Between Tastes by Karan Puri

This book is a collection of ten short stories each of which are based on a single food item. Be it the funny ode to the cauliflower where the vegetable reigned supreme throughout the story, or the chapatti that became a silent messenger of a mutiny, every chapter features some vegetable or fruit or a special dish native to some place.

The author has given a wonderful rural touch to the stories, bringing them alive with brilliant narration of the places, events and people. Quirky characters with their unique personality traits make the stories a delightful read. There is humor in liberal doses. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout some of the narratives. Many of the stories are poignant in their essence and teach invaluable life-lessons, making a remarkable impact on the readers.

For me, the best part of the book is the beautiful ending that the author has given to all the stories. Some endings contain just a few words but are powerful in their impact.

I liked each and every character that appears in the book. The Pachyderm’s Farewell brought a lump to my throat. The story about the origin of pulao made me smile. The Humble Chapatis with its awesome build-up made me want to read faster to know what happens ahead. Throughout the stories, the author’s excellent sense of humor shines through, lending a delightful touch to the narrative.

Although the author says this is a book for children, I would say that people of all ages will enjoy this beautiful and soulful collection of lovely stories. I recommend this book for all those looking for light, casual and breezy reads.