Supriya Shukla - Review of the book Twilight of Love by author Dr.Ratan Bhattacharjee
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Dr.Ratan Bhattacharjee’s Twilight of Love : A Compelling Collection of Short Stories
Dr. Supriya Shukla
Book Title : Twilight of Love : (Silhouette,A Collection of 100 Short and Long Stories )
Writer : Dr.Ratan Bhattacharjee
Publisher “ Partridge Publishing ,Singapore
Publishing year November 2025
ISBN 978-1-5437-8519-7
Page 566
Writing is subjective . When the writer pours out his heart through stories they are bound to be sensitive and heartwarming . Such is the anthology of stories written and compiled by Prof. Ratan Bhattacharjee . A poet , story writer , essayist , noted critic , he is adept in almost all genres in the corpus of literary writing .An academician of high repute ,an awardee of prestigious titles ,an internationally acclaimed prolific writer Prof. Ratan Bhattacharjee holds an eminent position in the galaxy of reputed literary luminaries .What is remarkable about his writings is the simplicity of style as well as the choice of subjects . Any piece of writing appeals to the readers when it is relatable for them and when they can associate with the topics chosen . He has the adroitness of weaving magic with simple topics like a leaf , the sky , a silhouette that project his sensitivity , empathy and encapsulate human values . These subtle , autobiographical stories are testimony to his indepth knowledge , his reading and research .
The delination of contemporary and relevant issues , social norms , ethics and integrity are empathetically dealt with under the garb of these lucid and unambiguous titles .The anthology promises to gain immense readability among lovers of literature. Faith in Divinity seems to be the ethos of his writings. A heartwrenching story, ‘Miracles of Kailash’ is reminiscent of the Kedarnath deluge of 2013 . The massive storm that spelt destruction everywhere engulfing the treacherous path to Mount Kailash and sweeping away hordes of pilgrims is realistic . An engrossing story ‘Challenges From The Prey’ recounts a zoologist's faith in the Royal Bengal Tiger of Sunderbans . The protagonist , Deepak's urge to visit Sunderbans and confront
the tiger is not merely for thrill but his desire to study their life patterns .His conclusion that they are not man eaters reminding us of Jim Corbett’s Man Eater of Kumayun. ‘Dreams and Realities’ is an emotional story showcasing that for some the glitter of their dreams grows so binding that it makes them forget the quiet, unwavering duties they owe towards their near and dear ones. The aspirations of a scientist who embarks on his own journey to achieve his dreams, almost abandoning his wife and child ..." A man who chases stars may forget the warmth of home . But if he returns even once with light in his eyes and love in his heart ,the journey is worth it ."
‘The Bell Tolls For Them’ is about justice delayed is not always justice denied . Truth has its own way of returning to claim what is right .The sufferings and trials of the protagonist Hari Mahato and his daughter bring to light the evils of the dowry system , alcohol abuse and how pelf and power can influence even the judicial system . The story resonates with the hope and belief that truth cannot remain eclipsed for long.Envy ruins friendship and camaraderie. Envy slips in like a silent crack, and before one realises, the strongest friendships crumble to dust . ‘The Jealous Singer’ is a story of how professional rivalry can lead one to take extreme steps. Two close friends who were gifted singers are separated just not through distance and boundaries but due to envy which keeps gnawing at the heart brewing hatred. However Arindam's forgiveness finds expression in the lines of his song “ If Jealousy kills love/Let love forgive Jealousy….”Such stories of hate and forgiveness as the author opines, “ will linger in every song that dreams of eternity .”
When we give our children wings to chase brighter worlds, little do we know that their flight will leave our own skies unbearably lonely . The story ‘ Terribly Alone ‘ reiterates this very sentiment .This vast sky of loneliness is silent , persistent and deep .
‘Elusive Peace’ traces the trajectory of Seema ‘s stardom. Being selected by a director who spotted her as her eyes shone with innocence and fire , Seema steps into the Bollywood city , Mumbai. With dreams of being labelled as The New Star of Indian Cinema only to see her dreams crashing when she is abandoned by the man who selected her, has to fend for her living by doing menial jobs. However, lady luck comes to her rescue when a producer offers her a role in a small budget film which clicked with the audiences. Then there was no looking back for her….With fame and money by her side Simi, as she chose to be addressed was riding high but soon she became conscious of her loneliness. Seema realised that “Fame is noise , peace is music …”
Stardom dazzles with borrowed light, but behind its glittering façade lies a hollow quiet—fame may fill the world around you, yet it often deepens the loneliness within. ‘The Brave Come Back’ captures the dilemma of making a choice between science and literature . Being drilled with the idea that it is science that opens doors while literature was a “ shadowed lane of uncertainty" , Ananya unwillingly opted for science though her heart tugged at her literary leanings . Her dismay at not being successful in the first year of university proved to be a lesson for her as she decided to take up cudgels and get to like science . This approach helped her so much that she developed an acumen for science , wonder accolades for her research , worked as a scientist and finally resumed her literary writing as well .
‘The Bridge of Faith’ relates to contemporary issues of discord and disharmony when people of different faiths assert themselves . Dhansiri , where the bonhomie between Hindus and Muslims is shattered with the declaration that the mosque would be extended . Bitterness and hard feelings create a divide . The administration intervenes and imposes curfew to bring the violent situation under control .However, good sense prevailed and a school called The Bridge of Faith was built where children of both communities studied together. Communal harmony was reborn and restored as people realised their folly. The beautiful message the writer conveys is that peace cannot be found in temples or mosques but in hearts that are ready to forgive. Forgiveness is the quiet courage of letting go …freeing not just the other person but the heaviness in your heart .
Prof.Ratan Bhattacharjee’s Twilight of Love is a compelling collection of short stories that integrates ethical reflection, cultural plurality, and historical consciousness with remarkable finesse. The volume distinguishes itself not merely through its thematic breadth but through the author’s ability to situate narrative within a broader humanistic discourse. Each story operates at the intersection of lived experience and moral inquiry, inviting the reader to examine the subtle textures of compassion, coexistence, and cultural heritage.
At the core of Twilight of Love is a sustained engagement with human values. Rather than presenting virtues as abstract ideals, Prof. Bhattacharjee anchors them in concrete social contexts. Acts of empathy, integrity, and resilience emerge organically through the characters’ dilemmas. For instance, ordinary individuals—teachers, vendors, homemakers, caretakers—navigate ethical crossroads that reveal the complexities of everyday morality. The strength of the collection lies in its avoidance of didacticism; ethical insight arises not from authorial assertion but from narrative implication. This allows the stories to function as quiet studies in human behaviour, demonstrating how small gestures of kindness or honesty can recalibrate fractured social environments.
A second, equally prominent dimension of Twilight of Love is its nuanced portrayal of communal harmony. Prof. Bhattacharjee resists homogenising narratives or sentimental simplifications. Instead, the stories foreground the everyday negotiations, shared histories, and interdependent relationships that form the basis of harmonious coexistence. In one particularly notable story, collaboration between custodians of two religious institutions becomes a metaphor for interfaith solidarity. Here, the author highlights how collective memory, mutual respect, and pragmatic cooperation can transcend ideological divides. The narrative strategy is subtle yet effective: harmony is neither idealised nor imposed, but shown as something cultivated through dialogue, empathy, and shared responsibility.
This wonderful collection short and long stories of our time further distinguishes itself through its evocative engagement with historical and mythological sites. Several stories are set against locations that bear the imprint of time—ruins, heritage sites, riverside ghats, ancient shrines, and culturally layered neighbourhoods. Prof. Bhattacharjee employs these spaces not merely as settings but as epistemic anchors. They function as repositories of memory, enabling the stories to explore how the past informs contemporary identity and communal relations. The interplay between myth and history is especially noteworthy; mythological references are woven seamlessly into narrative, offering symbolic depth without disrupting realism. This formal integration enhances the interpretive richness of the collection, encouraging readers to reflect on the continuity between inherited cultural narratives and present-day social dynamics.
Stylistically, the prose in Twilight of Love reflects a clarity and measured elegance characteristic of academic sensibility. The narrative pace is deliberate, allowing thematic resonance to unfold gradually. Dialogue is economical yet purposeful, often serving as a vehicle for cultural or ethical insight. The structural coherence of each story, combined with recurring motifs of light, memory, and reconciliation, lends the collection a unifying aesthetic.From a scholarly perspective, Twilight of Love may be situated within contemporary Indian short fiction that foregrounds pluralism and ethical humanism. Its significance lies not only in its literary craftsmanship but in its capacity to reassert the relevance of compassion and cultural coexistence in an increasingly fragmented world. Bhattacharjee's work contributes meaningfully to discourse on social harmony and cultural preservation, illustrating how narrative art can function as an instrument of reflection and renewal.In conclusion, Twilight of Love is an intellectually engaging and culturally resonant collection. Through its exploration of human values, interpersonal relationships, communal concord, and the enduring imprint of historical and mythological spaces, the book offers fertile ground for academic discussion and broader public reflection. It stands as a testament to the power of fiction to illuminate the ethical and cultural contours of contemporary life.
About the Reviewer
Dr.Supriya Shukla is a regular Times of India Blogger & Retd. Principal VSSD PG College Kanpur. She is a regular contributor to LitStream and other International magazines.
