To all good men and women who did nothing"~Lhutu Keyho (Avila's Lover and other Stories)
Eight gritty tales brilliantly binding Naga psyche will leave one with each a long 'silenced period' to dig deep and jump into the far depth of the situation. Every little tale throws-in its own surprises. It isn't possible to badge a golden star to one of the eight but Yes 'Menye' chained my heart into a pool of pain. The grieved fate of a girl is the question but why is 'She' to make all the wretchedness a 'part of her life'(pp.49), cannot she breathe 'Freedom's Air'?
'The Envelope' is light and made me laugh my lungs out. Demands, Threats, Corruption- the vicious cycle, of life and death, we are living in today and if no sooner these get changed, will it be worth shouting 'change is coming'?...but 'all employees from department of PHED...received one hundred and forty seven rupees less in their Dec paycheck!' (pp.27).I mean, seriously! I was like 'am I to laugh at them or to pity them or to anger the system??'
'The Labour Unionist' is a winner in all its glory. Why does the shame hormone in us get activated when it comes to performing menial jobs. A job is a job. My people, why let others do what your hands can do? Why let others emasculate you? Why not contribute in our own small ways and create a better home of where we are living now? Why cannot we be 'Vezüh', a NET qualified educated Prof. sitting on the roadside with placard reading, "HOME DELIVERY. ALL SORTS OF GOODS. I AM LOCAL...No extra charges."(pp 72).
'The Warden' transported me to Emily Dickinson's mastery of narration, "narration beyond the grave." This is one tale which tore my heart as I started visualizing the episodic turns in the life of our dead narrator and this particular sentence had gotten me speechless, "They buried him next to me the following Sunday."(pp47) and finally with the consciousness streaming back and forth my heart cried with Lanula and raged at Abu. Sometimes some hidden pains are better kept hidden.
...and to know what exactly the feel of love is, one ought to read this sweet pretty tale titled 'Avila's Lover'.

Note: Though this took me many long days to pour write my thoughts and feelings Avila's Lover accumulated in me but as the saying goes, "better late than never" here I finally seconded the quote. ...
To the author, Lhutu Keyho, your mastery of storytelling and tale writing is magically enchanting.
....and yes how can I not thank Ilando e-care and Lipokjungla for rushing this book to me from their Kohima outlet in a rushing few hours duration. Thanks Lipok...