Farasi Desh Anya Chokhe by Priti Sanyal [Hardcover]

"Formally known as France, we call it the French country. Bengalis have had a long-standing relationship with this country. Our curiosity and interest in this land have not waned. There is no other romantic country in the world quite like it. And Paris or 'Pari'? This city is not just the capital of France, but also the capital of literature, art, music, luxury, fashion, taste, freedom, and revolution. The city transcends its layers and is adorned with the aura of myths. Fantasy and reality are intertwined. Paris and the entire French country are like a museum of history, but not petrified. Paris, pulsating with the breath of history, creates history and blends into it. The ancient history of the boulevards merges with the daily history of today, in processions, fairs, festivals, and parades.

The author of this book has observed France closely for over two decades. Not from a bird's-eye view, but reflecting the country and its people in her self-reflection as a living entity. Through short sketches or humorous essays, she has captured the vast diversity and intimate mysteries of this multicolored country, known and unknown to us. Her writings depict the people, their lives, joys and sorrows, cultural life, social life, feelings of loneliness, racism, the life struggles and sighs of French women. We have never before received such an enjoyable and unique collection of writings about the French country from any Bengali author."