My notes and quotes are at: https://bibliophilebethlc.blogspot.com ( )

What a wonderful novel! Welcome to a world full of characters worthy of Dickens, a story which has the reader gasping, cringing, and laughing out loud, and a whole lot to think about regarding the role of imagination in the choices we make and the dreams we allow ourselves to chase. Set in Mumbai, where life can deal one difficult reality after another, we meet Arzee the dwarf, whose disappointments, dreams, and adventures will keep the reader glued to the tale to the end. ( )

I always knew by gut instinct that Chandrahas Choudhury's book would certainly be readable. But how much so, I had no idea until now. Book is about trials and tribulations of a dwarf - more than that it is about anyone learning to survive in spite of our insecurities, deficiencies and low self-esteem.

Set in Bombay's daily life, feel of the city - that it does take back what it gives - in inherent in book's prose.

Arzee, the dwarf is a projectionist in an old, historic theater on verge of close down. He goes through various mood swings - from proud, happy and expectant to devastated to stoic-cum-heroic to crestfallen to eventually 'ok-we-will-see-what-comes-on'. Each chapter and a turn of event in the story is focussed on Arzee's reaction and attitude to it. There are long soliloquoys, indicative of his fears, thoughts and insecurities.

There are very few characters - Phiroz, Deepak, Mum - well-etched but only to support Arzee's story.

Nice story in a very appreciable, lucid language. ( )