The Boundaries of Sanity - Mira Saraf - ★★★★.¼

AUTHOR: Mira Saraf

GENRE: Short Story Collection

PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2020

RATING: 4.25 stars.

Ever read an anthology where every story leaves you bewildered? No? Try this one. It's a unique experience where you like a story and are confused by it simultaneously.

I've hardly ever been so muddled up about what to write in my review. I know I want to talk about the book but I don't know what to talk about it. I know I enjoyed the reading experience but the stories aren't "enjoyable". I kept debating with myself on whether I should review the book or skip it but here I am, writing about the book in an attempt to make sense of what I just read.

A very short read comprising only 5 stories, "The Boundaries of Sanity" can be completed within an hour. But you won't complete it that soon because you'll feel the urge to reread a story just to cross-check if whatever you read was correctly interpreted by you. Four of the five stories left me simply gobsmacked, and not in a good way. It was like reading a short story version of "The Bell Jar". The only difference is that the endings have a ray of hope. For those interested in the human psyche, this book provides ample fodder for thought and analysis.

Each of the five stories has its lead characters at a low point in their lives. But they aren't depicted as victims at all. They struggle with their demons, they wrestle with their mind, and though they might not emerge the victor at the end of the story, at least they show the determination and courage of not giving in. Each character is thus not a victim but a survivor, and at the end, not a struggler but a fighter.

Considering the fact that the stories go really abstruse at times, I'm not even sure if my interpretation of at least a couple of them is correct. It was too dark and intense for my ordinary reading habits. And yet, I don't regret reading the book at all and felt this desperate urge to talk about it. Go figure!

I wonder if the title could be interpreted in a dual way. Not only are the central characters of the five stories tottering at the boundaries of sanity, reading about them makes you explore the boundaries of your sanity too. That's the only way you can gauge the underlying purpose of the stories.

This is not a book to be read in dark times, but yes, it is a book to be read. Keep it in reserve for nicer and calmer days.

One thing is for sure: Mira Saraf is a heck of a talented writer. Her command over the language, the plot and the narration is impeccable.

PS: I think I should award myself the Most Confusing Review of the Year award. I've gone here and there and everywhere with my thoughts. Call it a side-effect of reading the book. But I hope my rating convinces you that I did like the book a lot. ❤️