Jiban Je Rakam by Sunil Gangopadhyay [Hardcover]

Sunil Gangopadhyay himself described the novel "Jibon Je Rokom" (translated as "How Life Is") by saying, “When I first wrote and submitted the first chapter of this novel, I had no idea which direction the story would take. I began with a young unemployed man named Dipu. I was surprised to find that even when Dipu got a job, he didn’t want to take it. What kind of unemployed youth is this? Dipu argued with me. He refused to follow the path I wanted to lead him on. In one chapter, I sent Dipu to visit Shanta, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. But after finishing the chapter, I realized that Dipu hadn’t met Shanta…”

Indeed, Dipu, the protagonist of this remarkable novel, exerts such forceful control over the author's imagination that it becomes apparent through the narrative. The novel explores Dipu’s life, his relationship with his girlfriend Shanta, and the vibrant lives of the diverse people around him. It details a transformative phase in Dipu’s character and his unique journey of becoming someone else. The novel is a rich tapestry of life’s complexities and transformations, showcasing a blend of vivid characters and dramatic life changes.