28/02/2026
Thanks dear author for this wonderful review of our bestseller - The Nine by Dr Vishal Golay
The Nine Stories of Asymptotic Lives by Dr. Vishal Golay
MRP: Rs.399/-
Bukant Publications
Available at www.bukant.in
When "The Nine Stories of Asymptotic Lives" by Dr. Vishal Golay hit the selves in August 2024, I was of the opinion that it might be the likes of the American medical drama television series - Grey's Anatomy; I have spend nights on this one when it was first aired.
But when it comes to a read, I have been more of a non-fiction Collector cm Reader of late. Fiction has begun to jade me. I just cannot pass two chapters.
However, when The Nine Stories of Asymptotic Lives went into reprint, I was 'hmmmm there must be something हटके/hatke about it'. For a debut writer to reprint within three months, it is a true Everest moment!
In fact I picked this one early this month from Bukant Publications for a good friend who cannot do without a book on her bedside and who says we need to support local writers. Why not browse through before passing it on?
Opinionated! I began. One story, the second and the third....the ninth and I was done. What kept me hooked to the book was the plot twists and how the stories ended, but did not end....leaving imaginative space for the readers to read more into them. The stories are simple and the characters more simpler that you can relate to with ease.
Just like the memes that flooded the Social platforms on the Nabin Chauhan Nepali movie - Unko Sweater/ ऊनको स्वीटर, a sequel needs to be made for the satisfaction of the audience with a happy ending for Kafley and Phool.
Similarly, as his reader, I hope Dr. Vishal Golay is going to give us a sequel to his debut fiction anthology, in the future.
I would love to know the name of the anonymous lady with her son from the Highway Restaurant and did Neeraj succeed in tracing the source of the stream or not? Will Payal move on and find love? Did Suman recover to join the post-doctoral fellowship at Cambridge? Did Ravi try again for the civil service exam? and so on.
The writer in me would love to give a happy ending to all the characters of Dr. Vishal Golay, but the reader in me would love to read the plot twists and turns that Dr. Vishal Golay visually gives with the choice of his words.
Knowing Dr. Vishal Golay, this anthology is a surprise - a pleasant set of unexpected surprise!
This book gave me not only a glimpse into the everday challenges "medical professionals with empathy" face, finding a balance between their duty and humanity, but also the emotional and financial upheavels the terminally ill and their family go through every waking hour.
This debut fiction anthology did not dull me.
Who would have guessed that a master storyteller hides behind the calm, studious, and patient demeanor of a nephrologist?
Sarojini S***a 27th February 2026 Friday
