Title :
Only One Life to Give
Author :
Arun Kaul
Publisher
: Frog Books
ISBN :
978-93-82473-76-3
Arun Kaul
opens a window and invites readers to peak into the life that he lived, through
a set of short stories. The stories are wisely categorized under four sections.
While 'Touching the Sky' has anecdotes from his professional life, some
personal experiences are being shared in 'Within the Family'. The other two
sections : 'Strangers in the Fold' and 'Women - What it Takes' bring to us some
memoirs from the lives of other individuals. Same strings hold all these tales
together - the strings of life values, inspiration, dedication, emotion,
compassion, sincerity and empathy. Readers get an interesting opportunity to
meet - philanthropy personified, a free spirit defying every shackle thrown her
way, an individual embracing extreme atonement for his sin, a great
administrator-facilitator-patriot, enormity of a mother's sacrifice, uprightness of a villager; and many more.
We all
create and become a part of many stories as we live our lives and when we look
back these accounts appear prominently on the screen of our memories. Arun Kaul
has collected these images from his memory screen and weaved them beautifully into a series
of tales in 'Only One Life to Give'.
Personally
I liked the first section of the book the most. Although the personal section
'Within the Family' should have touched the heart strings the most, it falls
short of doing so. Chronology of some events are described repetitively at
various places which pushes the narrative to the drab side. Moreover, the
abruptness of the personal story of mistrust and betrayal is sure to leave
readers with bad taste
in the
mouth. Barring these two downers, the
rest of the stories are a delight to read.
A
post-graduate in Literature and Management, Arun Kaul made a career in Indian
Air Force, followed by working in private sector in various capacities. More on him here.
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