Cradle of the Dead and Other Stories is an interesting and seriously thought-provoking book of short fiction. These are the stories of love, romance and passion that ameliorate and embellish the beauty and meaning of love and life. The situations and characters in half a dozen stories dealing with this theme are realistic in subject and style and the writer, R. K. Bhushan, has shown no impatience or the desire to overstep the limits of art in his narrative art. The direct beginnings capture the attention of the reader and lead through with absorbing interest till the dramatic ending. Cradle of the Dead, Remi Martini, Love is Ever-Rewarding, Love’s Lilacs and Lilies, Pilgrimage to Love are the finest specimens of romantic strain and perennial influence of love on everyday human life. What enhances their loveliness is the rhythm of narration and the portrayal.
Then Bhushan has exposed the hypocrisies and pretensions, shams and shallowness of some who are adept at making the most at the cost of others. Such characters are the dehumanized form of humanity and remain insensitive and completely unconcerned with the good and happiness of others whatever be their family or social relations. Here the writer wants to suggest that character alone is destiny! His psychological insight is envious in its study and portrayal of the people who appear to be a born nuisance. Chandu Taya, Ram Asra, Maya Dhari, Banbari Lal, LalaBulandi Lal, Pandit Ruldu Ram etc are the typical examples of such living species of humanity at their worst, out to ruin the happiness, peace and love of life.
He Came to See His Ailing Mother is a cruel stroke of destiny that befalls a family and which even Time shall be helpless in healing; Benighted Shadows of the Day uproots the rooted wrong; Forbidden Joys is a merciless hit at the depraved passion projected as love for self-gratification. Other stories also are a fascinating bunch of delight.
There is a striking feeling of Indianness in these narrations and descriptions that lends truthfulness. These stories are sure to sharpen readers’ understanding and insight into the working of our daily life apart from being a source of delight.
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