My Father’s Friend and Other Stories
(7)
Author:
Ashokamitran, Lakshmi HolmstromPublisher:
Sahitya AkademiLanguage:
EnglishCategory:
Short-story-collections₹
110
₹ 91.3 (17% off)
Available
Ships within 48 Hours
Free Shipping in India on orders above Rs. 1100
Ashokamitran published the collection of stories called Appavin Snehidar (My Father's Friend) in 1991. All the stories are shot through with a comic vision that marks Ashokamitran's and nine short stories, all of which were written between 1990 and 1991. Ashokamitran writes in a spare and understated style about the changing cityscape in India today, and about the lives of ordinary men and women caught up in the tragic circumstances of every day life. All the stories are shot through with a comic vision that marks Ashokamitran's work and gives it its compassion.
Read moreAbout the Book
Ashokamitran published the collection of stories called Appavin Snehidar (My Father's Friend) in 1991. All the stories are shot through with a comic vision that marks Ashokamitran's and nine short stories, all of which were written between 1990 and 1991. Ashokamitran writes in a spare and understated style about the changing cityscape in India today, and about the lives of ordinary men and women caught up in the tragic circumstances of every day life. All the stories are shot through with a comic vision that marks Ashokamitran's work and gives it its compassion.
Book Details
-
ISBN9788126013470
-
Pages207
-
Avg Reading Time7 hrs
-
Age18+ yrs
-
Country of OriginIndia
Recommended For You
Pudumaippitan
- Author Name:
Lakshmi Holmstrom
- Book Type:

- Description:
Pudumaippittan is a collection of Pudumaippittan's work in some of his best known stories, which give some indication of his broad range of content and form. These also include some of the short, stark poetic pieces dating from his earliest work A critical essay and overview of the author is given at the end of this book.
CHASO SELECTED SHORT STORIES
- Author Name:
K.Chandrahas +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Chaso, short for Chaganti Somayajulu, was born in 1915 in Srikakulam and spent most of his life in Vizianagaram. He began his literary journey as a poet in English and later in Telugu. He was also an essayist and wrote one play. However, his true passion was the short story, which he considered a lyrical poem. His first short story, 'Chinnaaji,' published in 1942, was critically acclaimed, and by 1945 he was recognised as a leading figure and master of the genre. He set high standards for himself and, throughout a life dedicated to literature, published only about 50 stories. He was the first Telugu writer to incorporate Marxist ideas into short stories, though his stories are notably free of rhetoric. His narratives often portray the raw lives of the poor and the very poor, characterised by brevity, reticence, and compression. He was a founding member of the Progressive Writers Association. An atheist, Chaso willed his body for medical research, which his family honoured after his death in 1994.
Beyond The Backyard
- Author Name:
P.Sathyavathi +2
- Book Type:

- Description:
Women’s voices no longer solely portray confinement to kitchens and backyards or victimhood. Instead, they emphasise unseen restrictions faced by individuals and significant barriers within global contexts. This collection of twenty-nine short stories covers diverse themes, complex narratives, unique characters, inventive metaphors, and alternative viewpoints. All stories aim for a just and equitable world. Key topics include Dalit, minority, and tribal issues, farmers’ struggles, new forms of exploitation in high-tech sectors under Globalisation, and existential questions, which are central to these women's writings. Over a dozen passionate translators helped bring these stories to English-speaking readers. The shift of women from victims to survivors to saviours would be even more impactful if men and women worked together to build a casteless, classless, environmentally mindful society- an aspiration our writers share.
Something Unspoken Too
- Author Name:
Prem Parkash +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Something Unspoken Too, Kujjh Ankeha Vi, which won Prem Parkash the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992, is now being rendered into English as Something Unspoken Too. Most of the stories iun this collection bear testimony to this unique facet of Prem Parkash's art and craft, through which he searches for the hidden, the unrevealed, the mysterious and the unspoken, all in an effort to understand the complexities of human motives and actions. Thestories in this collection move precariously across the spectruuum of words and silences, giving rise to spaces in which the unarticulated can aesthetically be located. Prem Parkash is a 'poet' of the twilight zone, a wanderer of forbidden territories and a cartographer of complex human relationships.
Mystery of the Missing Cap and Others Award Winning Stories
- Author Name:
Manoj Das
- Book Type:

- Description:
Mystery of the Missing Cap and Others Stories, originally published as Manoj Dasanka Katha O Kahini was the first collection of short stories in Odia to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award (1972). The collection spans twenty-two years of the writer's contribution to Odia short story. While Sri Das has won wider recognitions through his subsequently written stories, roping into the circle of his admires writers like Graham Greene and H.R.F. Keating, this collection marks a mile stone in the evolution of Odia fiction, infusing into the genre of short stories a neew vitality through a combination of deep psychological insight into characters and situations and a remarkable precision in sytle. The translation is by the author himself whoalso occupies a special places in Indian writing in English.
Indian Stories Vol 1
- Author Name:
K. Sreenivassarao
- Book Type:

- Description:
Volume 1 of Indian Stories is a curated selection of short stories translated into English from various Indian languages. This volume goes beyond being a simple collection; it captures the evolving social conditions and value systems over the past sixty years. The diverse stories showcase the richness of Indian culture and tradition, while also featuring universal elements that resonate with contemporary audiences and other cultures. The narratives within this anthology reflect the essence of India over time, weaving in mystical elements as they bridge the past and present. The dynamism, wisdom, and human qualities present in these tales ensure their relevance for generations. This is the first volume in a series, with each installment designed to highlight different aspects of Indian culture.
Indian Short Stories 1900 To 2000
- Author Name:
E. V. Ramakrishnan
- Book Type:

- Description:
This collection of 43 stories from 21 languages highlights India's diverse and intricate life. They depict everything from the chaos and mass hysteria of partition to the suppressed anger and self-pity of people trapped in broken homes. These narratives explore both outer experiences and internal struggles within Indian society. The stories emphasise the sacred and the profane, as well as the voices of the elite and the marginalised, serving as mirrors for self-reflection. Together, these tales trace a transformative century during which India emerged as a unified nation. The vivid imagery from the tumultuous 20th century is both disturbing and enlightening.
The Village Well & Other Stories
- Author Name:
P. Jayalakshmi +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Oorabavi and Other Stories is a collection of Kolakaluri Enoch’s short stories on the life in rural India, predominantly the life of Dalits. Life in rural India revolves around the village well and water sharing, caste domination and operation by dominant castes. Enoch tried tackling the problem way back in 1969 through successful resistance and reclamation of water as a right by the marginalized in a village. The volume while successfully defining and giving concrete reality to rooted institutions of caste in India, it also brilliantly recreates suppressed and silenced histories of men and women of various caste occupations- cobbler, scavengers, barbers, washer men, and actors in street plays, beside sensitive portrayal of village youth small time workers in hotels etc. The narrative ranges between exploitation and revenge, hunger and vulnerability, oppression and submission, conscience and need, rebellion and resistance, deprivation and triumph.
The Best Stories of Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo
- Author Name:
Guruprasad Mohapatra +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
The Best Stories of Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo: This book is a translation of Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo's short stories, written in his inimitable style. The stories, originally written in Odia, were truly representative of Odia culture and traditions; the narrative is unique and deeply emotional and carries the readers with the flow. This volume is a specimen of Mohapatra Nilamani Sahoo's short stories for the wider readership
Beyond the Shores of the River Existentialism
- Author Name:
Munipalle B Raju +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
English translation by Nidadavolu Malathi of Sahitya Akademi Award winning Telugu short stories Astitvanadam Aavali Teerana by Munipalle B Raju.
Aabhas
- Author Name:
Varsha Adalja +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
आभास साहित्य अकादमी से गुजरती भाषा में पुरस्कृत अड़सार उपन्यास का हिन्दी अनुवाद है। इस कृति में कथाकार ने कुष्ठ रोगियों के पुनर्वास और इस बीमारी के साथ जुड़े सामाजिक कलंक की समस्या को उठाया है। यह प्रत्येक संवेंदनशील व्यक्ति को अंतर्मुख करनेवाली तथा जीवन्मूल्यों का अन्वेषण करने के लिए प्रेरित करने वाली कृति है। "अड़सार" का अर्थ है - 'ईश्वर की घंटी'। हर किसी के मन में ईश्वर की एक घंटी होती है। हर एक मन में सत-असत् प्रवृत्तियों का संघर्ष जारी रहता है। संवेदनशील व्यक्ति के मन में जब उस ईश्वर की घंटी की आवाज़ आती है और वह संघर्ष जब अस्तित्व को ही चुनौती देता है, तभी उस घंटी की गूंज सुनाई देती है और मनुष्य की 'मनुष्यता' ही अपनी चरमसीमा तक पहुँचती है। इस उपन्यास में मोह और विमोह के दो ध्रुवों को इस कौशल के साथ स्पर्श किया गया है कि कथाचरित्र का दारुण कष्ट और निर्मोही समाज का वास्तविक चेहरा बयाँ हो जाता है।
Anna
- Author Name:
C. N. Annadurai
- Book Type:

- Description:
Everyone regarded Anna as one of the most remarkable figures produced by Tamil Nadu. His greatness stems from the widespread acclaim he received from prominent leaders of his era. His various talents demonstrate his capabilities as an effective administrator, deep thinker, prolific writer, insightful journalist, and above all, a humanitarian that leaves us in awe of his literary contributions. He observed the living conditions of Tamils during his time and aimed to instigate change through his writing and speeches. Inspired by Periyar's thoughts and pride in Tamil heritage, he emerged as a towering advocate for humanism, dedicated to protecting the Tamil community and working toward their advancement. Anna once referenced influential figures like Shelley, Byron, Keats, Coleridge, Emerson, and Bacon, remarking that they are not foreigners in the truest sense. Is Tiruvalluvar simply a Tamil? They are all global citizens and educators, and Anna holds a similar esteemed position as a worldwide citizen. Anna is recognised as a pioneer in short stories that explore the tension between tradition and modernity. He is a relentless journalist and a guiding light as a dramatist. In addition to being a remarkable orator, his political acumen further defines him as the genius of his century. In summary, Anna is a true phenomenon.
Rocks of Hampi
- Author Name:
Chandrasekhar Kambar +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Chandrasekhar Kambar draws his strength deeply from folklore as well as contemporary life and his poems are embodied in an earthyly, sensual language. His poetry works at a different altogether from what logical and analytical prose does. Profound insights into life get expressed metaphorically in him. English translation by O.L. Nagabhushan Swamy of Chandrasekhar Kambar's Kannada poems. Sahitya Akademi 2004.
Agneyam
- Author Name:
P. Vatsala +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Agneyam tells the story of Nangema, a Namboodiri woman forced to leave her native home in Palghat due to poverty. She journeys alone through the perilous paths of Wayanad and creates a life for herself and her family in that wild land. She was a real person, not a figment of Vatsala's imagination. Living in Wayanad, she carved out a life for herself, but as events unfolded, she returned to her native Palghat, stayed with her daughter, and died peacefully. Vatsala knew her intimately and was inspired to write her exhilarating and tragic life story as a novel, "AGNEYAM." Vatsala is one of Kerala's leading women writers. Through her, the real Nangema becomes an artistic marvel - a woman born into luxury but falling into poverty; brave enough to change her life by moving to Wayanad, working as a cook, running a small shop, and eventually owning and cultivating land. An independent and courageous woman, aided by the untamed land. This is their story. But it is also the story of the Kurichia bonded labourers, the original landowners, and their helpless, fearful, and impoverished existence. Vatsala crafts this story in her unique, feminine, compassionate, lyrical language, writing with complete empathy for her protagonist. The result is a significant literary work from a historical, sociological, and literary perspective, always emphasising the woman's point of view. Vatsala has authored many novels and short stories, but this novel stands out for its lyrical language and powerful depiction of an independent woman. The translator, Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan, is a student of literature, cinema, theater, and dance. Her doctoral dissertation focuses on "Malayalam Cinema, Society and Politics of Kerala. " As a native of Kerala with a deep interest in Malayalam literature and women's studies, this is her third translation of a Malayalam novel- her previous works being "Agnisakshi" by late Lalithambika Antarjanam and "Brashtu" by Matampu Kunhukuttan.
Baduku
- Author Name:
Geeta Nagbhushan +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Dr. Geetha Nagabhushana's work primarily focuses on the struggles of the distressed, exploited, and naïve individuals from slums or the lowest strata of the Hindu caste system. Her unique storytelling provides a glimpse into real-life experiences that resonate deeply with us, rather than simply presenting fictional characters. The Kannada dialect used in "Baduku" deserves special recognition for its authenticity and cultural richness. Throughout the novel, the hardships faced by those in the lowest tiers of the Varna system are depicted without any apologies. The portrayal of women's struggles in "Baduku" serves as a critique of patriarchal society. The novel offers a comprehensive view of society, addressing various forms of atrocity and oppression, including issues related to class, caste, and gender, as well as the challenges faced by both urban and rural downtrodden communities. There is no fair treatment found in any of these intersections.
The Tale of a Place
- Author Name:
S.K. Pottekkat +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Prema Jayakumar provides the English translation of S.K. Pottekkar's acclaimed Malayalam novel, ' Oru Deshanthinte Katha, ' published by Sahitya Akademi in 2015. The narrative centres on Sreedharan, a boy from Athiranippadam, portraying villagers' lives through the perspectives of the narrator and other characters. Set during British India, the story begins with Sreedharan's return to his hometown after more than 40 years. He is dropped near a petrol overhead tank on the site of his teenage love's house. He recounts the lives of the residents of Athiranippadam. The novel is segmented into five parts: childhood, early youth, teenage years, and a final section called "marmarangal." It features a story told by Velu Mooper, who witnesses events after Sreedharan's father's death, following his extensive travels to North India, Africa, and Europe. Throughout the story, he encounters individuals who leave lasting impressions from different stages of life, including Emma from Switzerland, a Bengali Babu, his half-brothers Kunhappu and Gopalettan (who caused him suffering by contracting syphilis), the mother goddess psyche of a Tamil Brahmin woman, with whom he longs, a girl who loved him unrequitedly before dying of tuberculosis, pranks with the " Supper Circuit Set, " lost loves, profound loneliness, his father's legendary life, and his journeys across continents. He started by dropping off his widowed mother at her family's home, initially at Elanhippoyil, then heading to Bombay- a solitary voyage into the vast, bewildering world, as SKP describes. This haunting autobiographical novel spans about 60 years of history, reflecting on themes of memory, nostalgia, hardship, dreams, and numbness. It concludes with a monologue: "Forgive me, the representative of the new generation of Athiranippadam, forgive me for trespassing into your land, and consider me merely an antique collector, a non-native!"
Daatu
- Author Name:
S.L. Bhyrappa +2
- Book Type:

- Description:
Daatu is a powerful novel that explores the rigid boundaries of caste and community in rural India, and what it takes to cross them. Set in Karnataka, the story unfolds around deeply entrenched social structures where identity is dictated by birth, and every step outside those boundaries comes at a cost. At its core, Daatu is about transgression — the act of “crossing over.” Whether it is caste, relationships, or social norms, the novel examines what happens when individuals challenge the invisible lines that define their lives. The narrative is layered with realism, capturing village life with honesty and nuance. It reflects how traditions, power, and fear shape human behaviour, while also revealing moments of resistance, dignity, and change. Recognised as a significant work in Indian literature, Daatu offers readers not just a story, but a lens into the complexities of caste, morality, and social transformation.
Muddled Muff's Musings
- Author Name:
D. V. Gundappa +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Mankutimmana Kagga (rendered in English as Muddled Muff's Musings) is a collection of sprightly yet profound verses that explore concepts such as the meaning of life, truth, and beauty. Mankutimmana Kagga, also known in English as Muddled Muff's Musings, is a collection of lively yet profound verses that explore concepts such as the meaning of life, truth, beauty, happiness, and the human experience. This literary classic has gained immense popularity among both scholarly and general audiences. Its gentle, non-preachy, and self-deprecating tone has endeared it to generations of readers since its first publication in 1943. It has rightfully earned the affectionate titles of "Kannada Bhagavad Gita" and "Gundopanishad," presenting happiness, the human experience, and related themes in an intimate and relatable manner. It is a literary classic that has enjoyed immense popularity among both erudite scholars and the general public. Its gentle, non-preachy, and self-deprecatory tone has endeared it to generations of readers since its first publication in 1943. It has deservedly garnered love and regard as "Kannada Bhagavad Gita" and "Gundopanishad."
Jatara
- Author Name:
Boya Jangaiah +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Jatara is a novella (1988) that deals with the predicament of women in the countryside. It graphically captures the realities of the village society in Telangana as major and minor characters come alive. The writer presents the theme of corruption in all its stark dimensions-physical and moral degradation, psychological and emotional blackmail, and surrender to superstitions and deceit from the point of view of the protagonist. The author remains objective, a bystander, in focusing on the bright and dark sides of the rural society, on interpersonal relations, and their belief systems, while subtly suggesting what was needed. For its humanist vision and gripping narrative, the novella remains a classic in Telugu fiction.
Carvalho
- Author Name:
K.P. Purnachandra Tejaswi +1
- Book Type:

- Description:
Carvalho is one of the most widely read and admired novels of Tejaswi. It is a novek which can be read at varioud levels as it presents many worlds. The dream if science and mystery and the everyday world of ordinary but amazing men and women. The novel explored the various facets of our complex civilisation like agriculture law and politics. It is a novel which will apppeal to readers of all ages. To Children it will appeal as a story of adventure, mystery and thrill; grown-ups can enjoy it as a work which offers stimulating insights into the world of men and women and Nature, and connoisseurs of art can see in it a baffling and inviting vision of art and metaphysics and wisdom.
Customer Reviews
Be the first to write a review...
4.14 out of 5
Book
My Father's Friend and Other Stories gathers nine narratives written between 1990 and 1991, each a precision instrument for examining how India's economic liberalisation reshaped the texture of middle-class existence. Originally published in Tamil as Appavin Snehidar in 1991, Ashokamitran's collection refuses melodrama even as it documents profound dislocation—relatives becoming strangers, neighbourhoods unrecognisable, moral certainties dissolving. His prose operates like a camera with no filter: spare, observant, never explaining what it shows. The comic vision here is not laughter but the absurdist clarity that comes from watching ordinary people—clerks, pensioners, wives—attempt dignity inside circumstances that offer none. Published by Sahitya Akademi, this English translation preserves the tonal control that makes Ashokamitran one of Tamil literature's most unsentimental chroniclers of urban modernity.
What kind of reading experience does My Father's Friend and Other Stories offer?
This collection delivers a quiet, observational experience that accumulates emotional weight through restraint rather than drama. Ashokamitran writes with the detachment of a documentary filmmaker, letting small gestures and silences reveal the inner lives of his characters. The comic vision is dry and unsentimental—you recognise the absurdity in everyday compromises without any authorial signposting. Each story ends without resolution, leaving you with the lingering discomfort of witnessing something true. Readers who appreciate Raymond Carver's minimalism or Alice Munro's attention to the unspoken will find this pace rewarding.
Who should read this collection and what does it expect from its readers?
- Readers interested in how India's 1990s economic reforms reshaped personal and family dynamics beyond headlines
- Those who appreciate understated prose that trusts the reader to interpret silence and subtext
- Fans of literary realism grounded in specific urban middle-class milieus—Chennai's changing neighbourhoods, lower-middle-class anxieties
- Readers comfortable with stories that observe rather than judge, and end ambiguously rather than neatly
- Anyone seeking Tamil literary voices in English translation beyond the familiar canon
What is the cultural significance of these stories for Indian readers today?
These stories document the precise moment when India's urban middle class began losing its moorings—the early 1990s, when liberalisation started eroding the predictable rhythms of government jobs, joint families, and neighbourhood continuity. Ashokamitran captures the psychological cost of that transition: the shame of obsolescence, the vertigo of watching your city become unrecognisable, the quiet violence of being left behind. For contemporary Indian readers navigating today's hyper-accelerated changes, these narratives offer a historical mirror—showing how dislocation felt the first time India modernised at speed.
What makes Ashokamitran's approach to ordinary life distinctive in Indian literature?
Ashokamitran refuses the comfort of sympathy. Where many Indian writers treating middle-class struggle lean toward pathos or social critique, he maintains a forensic distance—watching his characters make small moral compromises, suffer private humiliations, and continue living without redemption or insight. His prose is radically spare, stripped of metaphor and introspection, recording dialogue and gesture with the precision of courtroom testimony. This anti-lyrical style, rare in Indian writing of any language, makes invisible lives visible without romanticising their invisibility. He documents rather than champions his subjects.
What does this collection leave readers with after finishing it?
A recalibrated attention to the weight carried by people who seem unremarkable. You finish these stories noticing the cost of politeness, the fatigue behind routine pleasantries, the specific loneliness of watching your relevance expire. Ashokamitran does not offer catharsis or hope—his gift is making you see the courage required just to persist when circumstances offer no dignity. Long after reading, you carry his characters' quiet endurance: the pensioner navigating a son's condescension, the wife absorbing a husband's failures. The collection teaches you to read silences in the people around you.