A comprehensive book review by Hema of a collection of short stories, The Other Choice, by Dr. O.P. Arora for Different Truths
When a hard-core academic, eminent novelist, short story writer, poet, and critic launches a new collection, it brings along an anticipatory flash of excitement for readers and emerging authors who have much to take in from the stories and gain insight into the author’s mind.
The fourteen stories in this collection, titled The Other Choice, are novel in every way; they not only address the quirks of the human mind, but they also have pointers for redemption mankind trapped in this materialistic world– after all, God has given “man free will and a right to make choices. “ (p.14)
Noted poet and critic Bernard M Jackson, in the blurb, writes: “India has urgent need of these
enlightened thinking souls of O.P. Arora’s remarkable insight and glowing integrity.” I’d like to
add that it is not restricted to geographical boundaries, but to the world at large, for Nature’s play
is hard to fathom. As the author clarifies: “You are proud of your skewed intelligence, your
rational approach, but it doesn’t answer the mysteries of the universe.”(p.58)
In The Green Light, there are echoes of Khalil Gibran’s Madman, in The Forerunner, with spirituality as its prevalent theme. As the madman who finds joy in Nature and peace in solitude, the protagonist recognizes the Green Light as “soothing, comforting, and peaceful.” “Perhaps Nature wanted to guide me and resolve the dilemmas I was always in.”
Using this allegory, the author presents beautiful images of the “dense forests, fields and orchards” and the “bank of a river, “so soothing, comforting and peaceful.” (p.16) Again, “it led me out of the city, on an on, through the marshy lands, deserts and the deep forests…” Thomas Gray’s “Elegy in a Country Churchyard” comes to mind:
Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife,
Their sober wishes never learn’d to stray;
Along the cool sequester’d vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. (Thomas Gray)
O P Arora has used “Nature” aka God in most of the narratives to bring out the facts that Man is
a victim of his follies; valuing and respecting Nature is important not merely for environmental
protection or for social and economic gains, but to eradicate sorrows, fathom that source of
happiness, which, undeniably, is the summum bonum of human existence.
Quoting a few lines:
“You are God. All powerful.” “But I gave man free will and a right to make choices…Today, he has gone beyond me.”(p.14)
“When we depart, we should leave a the world a shade better That is how we serve Nature, help in the evolutionary process.” (p.39)
“ For all our wrong choices and consequent sufferings, we find an alibi in God.”
“Nature is very bountiful and doesn’t harm or terrorise individuals or the creation as such….it is man’s karma that is responsible for his fate.” (p.48)
The cliched ‘as we sow, so we reap!’
“Life is so enchanting, fascinating.” (p.56) As another nature lover, the tale Lost in the Mists, resonates greatly. The gentle breeze, the nodding leaves, the birds perched atop the swaying branches, the fallen leaves rustling over paved walkways, the godhuli (dust particles raised by cows’ hoofs while returning home) that swirls in the evening light, the tangerine sunsets, the beaming moon….Nature’s bounty is infinite! Again, Nature is with us, all around us, and speaks to us every moment if we are willing to listen. It is a large canvas waiting to be explored and discovered….a voyage of self-discovery!
Dr PCK Prem has rightly observed in the review that the author’s “intensity of poetic prowess stuns!” “If he frightens man with harsh truths, he also encourages man to live meaningfully in harmony with nature.”(p.96)
The protagonist of the “Haunting Shadows” still haunts me- in other words, is alive, fresh in my thoughts! Unlike most children who experience distressing younger days and turn out to be aggressive, withdrawn, or disoriented, the protagonist of this story empowers children by gifting them with education. “ I search for me in them.” “I just provide them an opportunity, the opportunity I never got.” (p.76)
As the word “Nature,” the word “Angel” is mentioned in some anecdotes. In dictionary parlance, ‘Angel’ is defined as “a person of exemplary conduct or virtue.” In Biblical connotation, heavenly beings who were part of the divine hierarchy at the time of creation. The “frames” in this collection include emotions of love, disappointment, deceit, and reconciliation, among others.
The ‘Good Riddance’ Party’s ending as a Reunion Party is a story of “All’s well that ends well!” The underlying message is that every relationship must be worked out, no one individual is an embodiment of perfection, we come with our emotional baggage, and have got to make adjustments and compromises all the way. The moment Reena realizes, “ He has his foibles, his weakness. That makes him a human. Was I looking for a God?”
Rightly or wrongly, William Shakespeare has been credited with this statement: “Expectation is the root of all heartache.” In The Intriguing Riddle, the protagonist Gaurav does not enjoy the walk on the beach because Bhavi, his acquaintance of a few days, isn’t there. Observing two strangers in love just after they had suffered heartbreaks with their respective partners makes him ponder, “Today, emotions are not involved in any relationship. Only your need is involved…”This century belongs to thrill, not to pain, Use and throw!”
In contrast to this, the protagonist in They Know it Better, eavesdrops on a conversation between Ashita and Vikas: Ashita, “No sentimental blackmail. Well, if you feel like waiting for me, I shall be happy. But I said it because five years is a long period, and these days…” Without getting trapped in puppy love or infatuation, focus and commitment to one’s education and career augur well for young adults who have to strive hard to taste success in life, and to give the family a good life.”
Dr Arora dedicates this collection to dearest Tanvi, Ashna, and Mahi “in celebration of their stepping into the world with their distinguished degrees…” and to Anya, who is “on the path of excellence”. I wish to reiterate that such youngsters, as citizens of the morrow, would prove worthy in the manner Swami Vivekananda envisioned: “manifest in our lives the perfection, which is the very nature of our inner self.”
The Other Choice has offered me several insights to reflect upon human behavior under diverse situations and circumstances…. Using Paul Coelho’s quote, the author justifies the title that there is no one path to the destination, and life is not about the “road not taken,” life is about the path taken, which you believe is right…
Lastly, this book calls for light as well as serious reading. Savour each story just as you enjoy the chocolate in your mouth, bit by bit. It is certain to have a positive impact on your well-being.
Picture by reviewer
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