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About the Author
A.M Gautam is an author based in Bangalore, India. His short stories and poems have been published in India, Singapore, the USA, and the UK. One of his speculative short stories was included in the Best Asian Fiction Anthology, 2018 by Kitaab, Singapore. He is also the winner of the Short Story 2020 contest by Defenestrationism.net.
About the book
Set in the quaint hill-station of Landour, India this is the story of Aayaan, a painter whose mind always shows him the world in a way that suits him the best, and of Kavya, a writer, who is coping with the recent death of her parents by dropping out of college and opening up a pizzeria.
Aayaan’s everyday life in Landour reeks of loneliness and mundane routines; his days often begin with him waking up in his bed and wishing that he had not woken up at all. His only relief is his weekly visits to the newly-opened Sawyer’s Pizzeria where, while gobbling down pizza, he can watch the girl he fancies, Kavya’s twin sister, Kalpana.
Things take a darker turn soon, however, and blood spills when it is revealed that one of the sisters suffers from existential crises, or rather, a crisis of existence.
Review
Hmm this is the kind of story that needs a light touch when it comes to a review. The smallest reveal can give away the most poignant part of the story, and yet it is also a story that has aspects I would love to discuss in more depth.
Aayaan is convinced that the solution to his many inadequacies and things holding him back, is to engage with the persons who are the key to his existence. Kavya and her twin sister, Kalpana are happy to welcome him into the fold, after a specific incident brings them all closer.
I really enjoyed how deeply layered this book is and how frank the author approaches the plotline. One could say the expectations of behaviour are fulfilled and unsurprising, however it is a very clear message. A message that needs to be heard and taken seriously. At the very core of this quiet, unassuming story lurks a call to arms - a take note of the burden and try to do better for the women in society.
It's a genre crossing read, an interesting combination of deception, misogyny, possession and obsession. The innocent beginning is certainly not where we end up in the last chapter. Arrgh, I really want to have a good natter, but hey ho let every reader discover it for themselves.
Buy A Dream of Duplicity at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher : Aesthetic Press pub date 22 Mar. 2022. Buy at Amazon com.
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