Life On The Go

Flash Fictions from New Delhi to America (Vol.I)

by Anita Nahal

201884 pages

About the book

OPINIONS "Anita Nahal's poems and flash fictions are valuable contributions to the literature on immigration and diaspora writings. Her books can easily be part of sociology, anthropology, literary and inter-disciplinary classes, as Nahal's work pushes us to ponder upon issues that emerge from moving places that we might not even think about. It's the universal, ethnographical appeal in her work that will make Anita a major writer of our times." - Dr. Gerrit B.M. Dielissen, Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Netherlands "Anita's poems and flash fiction are very relevant literary contributions as she immerses herself in her characters taking us most intriguingly with them in the journey of soulful, everyday life discovery! Her flash fictions about aging particularly stood out for me as it's not easy to write first person narratives of an ageing person's reminiscences even more if there may or may not be some autobiographical elements. Nahal's poems and flash narratives take you into the world of diasporic women as they cross continents to find their place in the sun. The development of the characters throws light on Nahal's incisive view of human existence." - Dr. Roopali Sircar Gaur, Former Professor of English, Sri Vcnkatcswara College, University of Delhi "Anita Nahal's poems and very short stories are like whispers of my heart! The details are in some case left to the imagination of the reader, and in some cases, graphic and so vivid., .as if I am there! Anita's work reminds me of her father, and my Professor Chaman Nahal, the novelist par excellence." - Satya Narain Sharma, Former Associate Professor of English, University of Delhi "Writing is hard work and not every writer can bring their characters to life understanding the type of readership of a publication like ours, but I am deeply impressed by Anita Nahal's ability to take any reader with her in to her fictions and poems in such a way, tenderly weaving the emotions, people, and stories at short notice. We have been publishing Anita Nahal's work for some time now, and her fictions and poems are always a visual treat to our readers. Anita is a truly remarkable writer and she will go far in her writings!" -Vijay Anand, Managing Editor, Confluence, UK "Anita Nahal is a prolific poet and fictionist, who has achieved excellence in poetry and flash fiction, the latter being the latest genre trending in fiction writing today. I have read with admiration several of her poems and flash fiction pieces. She has creativity in her genes. Her father, Chaman Nahal, was a well-known novelist. I am sure, her pen will become more prolific, making the literary scene richer and life beautiful." - Subhash Chandra, Critic and Author "Anita's work is deep and endearing, and she has a sense of imagination that goes beyond traditional contemporary poetic bounds. Her writing inspires in all of us a sense of wonder, inspiration and nostalgia for home that we can rarely attain by other forms of content attempting to represent the Indian subcontinent. I love reading her poems and her flash fiction, which make me feel that I am part of the experiences, thoughts and feelings. I am honored to be able to read her works and share in their joy." - Atreyee Dasgupta, ABR Relocation Specialist, New Jersey, USA

Anita Nahal’s first collection of flash fictions (short stories under 1000 words), will delight you in their honesty, simplicity, and the “aha” moments! These are stories that roam in the realm of thoughts, feelings, dreams, daydreaming, and unplanned moments…very ethereal, airy and magical at times! The stories touch your heart because they come from the protagonist, Priya’s heart… an immigrant mother, a woman, a daughter, and a humanist. Anita Nahal is well known as a poet and children’s books author who has branched into another genre with this beautiful collection of flash fictions!
Covering protagonist Priya’s journey from New Delhi to the US, with her young son, these flash fictions portray the myriad exciting, and also challenging experiences they undergo together, and separately. Some will make you laugh, some will make you think, and some might even make you cry. Some of these stories look back at Priya’s childhood in India, or her first journey as a child to the US with her family. And some of them will take you into the imagined future, having conversations with her son, and granddaughter. A few of these are based in New Delhi, and the rest in the US. And most, weave through a mother and child’s love, and their bonding that surpasses generations.
These quick to read, on-the-go stories, explore gender, race, ethnicity, color, age, love, divorce, motherhood, fatherhood, unemployment, homelessness, cross-cultural surprises, and shocks. Viewed from the lens of an older immigrant, a single mom, these stories delve into how people can be placed, or they place themselves, within, or at the margins of diversity, inclusion, exclusion, assimilation or integration. Diaspora elements are strongly present in Nahal’s writings, yet her writings are also universalistic.
Some of the flash fictions have poems enmeshed within them…Nahal’s primary passion filters through making these flash fictions a captivating hybrid genre. Further, some of them also have pencil line drawings, that will endear you to the story, and to Priya. Mostly written in the first person of Priya, however, some are in the third person, thereby lending a very unique perspective of viewing a character by Priya’s own self.
Those who have read these flash fictions, call them, “captivating,” “gripping,” “deeply sensitive,” “short, sweet and deep,” “adorable,” and “leaving them speechless!” Nahal, they say, has the passion of poignant story telling, making people actually visualize them, and having a “been present in the story effect!”