THE PATNA MANUAL OF STYLE: STORIES by Siddharth Chowdhury [Hardcover]

In Siddharth Chowdhury's The Patna Man, readers are introduced to Hriday Thakur, an unconventional figure from Patna navigating the complexities of life, love, and literature. The novel comprises nine interlinked stories that chronicle Hriday's experiences and relationships against the backdrop of post-liberalization India. As an aspiring writer and literature enthusiast, he interacts with a cast of intriguing characters, including his mentor Samuel Crown, his childhood love Charulata, his wife Chitrangada, and various women who influence his journey. Through intimate and sensuous narratives, Chowdhury explores the nature of relationships, heartbreak, and the pursuit of artistic ideals in a world shaped by academia, politics, and the allure of the written word. The stories reflect a poignant yet unsentimental look at an idealistic generation caught between tradition and modernity, making this collection a compelling read for those familiar with Chowdhury's previous works.