Growing up, books were a major constant in my life. My mother had grown up as a voracious reader, and the habit got passed on to me genetically and by example. I was introduced to all my favourite authors by my mother, and I had even learnt to read Bengali so that I could read more stories. So, yes, the love affair with stories and the art of story telling goes way back to the time when I couldn’t read and was read to. Most authors still remain in my life though a few have made a mark in my life, and not just because they were great stories.
Two such books are Chief Vasily and Little Women.
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Chief Vasily
Chief Vasily was a limited edition 1986 book translated from Russian by Raduga Publishers. It was about Peter, a Muscovite who went to the village for his vacations where he met Vasily, a local boy. Peter and Vasily started off as rivals, as Peter was being a typical city snob. Soon his edges get rubbed by the village kids and he found great friends in them. I keep this book as a priced possession and keep going back to it from time to time – for various reasons.
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Little Women
On the other hand, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women holds a special place in my heart for its timeless themes of family, friendship, and the journey to self-discovery. The story follows the lives of the March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – as they navigate the trials and tribulations of adolescence and young adulthood. What draws me to this book is its richly drawn characters and their relatable struggles and triumphs. Each sister possesses a distinct personality and dreams of her own, yet they are bound together by their unbreakable bond of sisterhood. As I follow their journey from childhood to maturity, I am reminded of the importance of love, loyalty, and the enduring strength of family ties. Little Women is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers of all ages, its timeless message of hope and resilience transcending the boundaries of time and space.
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Little Women is a much-loved story about four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March. All four March sisters had very strong characters but ever since I’d read the story the first time – I’ve identified with Jo the most. Since then, I’ve read it at least 30 times and every time I find myself relating to her even more. I’ve fancied meeting her, talking to her, accompanying Laurie and her to skate on the ice, reading her scripts and secret notes, travelling with her, falling in love at the same time as her, and being fiercely protective of family, just like her. Everything Jo has done, I have done. Never copied her, but growing up I realised life was moving ahead as if parallel to Jo’s.
In conclusion, Chief Vasily and Little Women are two books that hold a special place in my heart for their timeless themes, richly drawn characters, and profound impact on my life. While Chief Vasily reminds me of the power of courage and resilience in the face of adversity, Little Women celebrates the enduring strength of family, friendship, and the journey to self-discovery. Both books have left an indelible mark on me, their stories and characters continuing to inspire and resonate with me long after I turn the final page.
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Read my ebook WRITE. EDIT. PROMOTE. to learn the basics about becoming an author – from writing your own book, to editing your first draft, and to promoting your book yourself! You can also read my ebook How To Write A Story Effectively and learn some valuable lessons about how a story can go from average to extraordinary. This book is part 1 of the series.
In fiction, I have two short stories for children in an ebook called Bedtime Stories.
