It is commonly said, and this is a widely held, though not uncontested view, that it is in the realm of the short story that modern Bengali prose fiction has had its richest flowering. This volume is an anthology of translations from Bengali short stories.In this present context of an anthology of translations from Bengali short stories, this makes the selection of a finite number of stories an exceedingly difficult task. Not only will every discerning critic or reader have her or his personal list of bet stories, but there are the other issues of different periods and movements which must be kept in mind. In addition, there is the perennial issue of leading writers who must be included by virtue of their reputation. As is apparent, the number of such indispensable authors is even larger for the short story than for the novel.It is commonly said, and this is a widely held, though not uncontested view, that it is in the realm of the short story that modern Bengali prose fiction has had its richest flowering. As proof of this, many critics cite the sociological realism, and socio-cultural and stylistic diversity and depth to be found within this genre. Here, it is said, is a tree with innumerable branches, from any of which one may derive pleasure, edification, and insight into the human condition. Indeed, there have been numerous writers and movements, some of which are considered later, concerned with developing some, or all, of these very features. As such, the common critical refrain about the world of the Bengali short story, both within the commercial mainstream media as well as the less-organized, and occasionally more experimental, circle of little magazines, harps on the embarrassment of riches to be found, and mined, here.
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