Exploration of diverse worlds through unreliable eyes

The remarkable examination of social problems in diverse settings makes ‘Kathputala’ a must read.

Archana Thapa’s collection of stories, ‘Kathputala’ first came into my radar in 2020. The first thing I remembered about the book was its expansive nature and how this collection had stories from multiple genres. Across eight fairly long stories (most of them are around 30 pages), Thapa covers a range of settings and issues, from the inner workings of a post-apocalyptic, robot-run society, to a reimagining of the Ramayana itself. While the experimentative elements definitely stand out, my recent re-read also reminded me of the heart and grit these stories possess.