Tales from Firozsha Baag

To say this collection, didn't work for me is an understatement. By the time the book was done, I was glad to be done with the book.

There wasn't a single short story I enjoyed, or liked. There were ones I disliked more than others, and one that nearly made me give up reading the book altogether, Squatter. Which was probably one of the worst short stories I've ever read. The content of the story was less than desirable to read, although the ending had a message of immigration and differences of culture, which was an important one, how the author chose to show that message was rather did not work.

The rest of the stories had a few interesting qualities here and there, but for the most part they lacked any concrete development for the characters or the plot. There was never that interesting grab to pull you in, or anything to make me want to read the next story.

Overall, not a collection I enjoyed and not one I'd recommend.

I'll try out the author again at some point, as I do have another one of his books on my shelf to read, but this collection, has me turned off for now.

Also found on my book review blog Jules' Book Reviews - Tales From Firozsha Baag ( )

It is said that when the British left India, they gifted their mannerism to the Parsis. I do not know the authenticity of such whimsical statements, although I have never seen any community with such great degree of clear-cut decorum. Parsi is a Persian Zoroastrian ethnic community; a minority in the Indian sub-continent. In a religion conscious environment Parsis are the most –mild-mannered and according to my adolescent psyche aromatic individuals. As a child my pleasant memories of experiencing Parsi culture were those pleasant Sundays spent with an elderly neighbor. Dhun Aunty, as we would address her, would serve our hungry mouths with the most delectable savory dishes of meat and eggs. The spicy curries and rice with caramelized onions were devoured amid the lingering aroma of sandalwood and eau de cologne. Bowls of warm bread pudding with afternoon tea while laughing your guts outs to the antics of Laurel and Hardy would see an end to a wonderful soiree. It is where I learned to differentiate between Mozart’s Symphony. 40 and ‘The Blue Danube’ (although I’m still a novice to ‘C’ major or ‘G Minor identification) and browsed Wren & Martin before it became mandatory in school. Things have drastically changed now with increase in western urbanization and vast immigration to foreign lands, yet the authenticity of the culture can be experienced in certain residential colonies strictly built for the respected community.

Firoza Baag is one such residential colony adorned by a three apartment buildings and filled with the quirkiest and amusing occupants one can come across. The 11 short stories brim with incidents that flatter the humdrum lives of its occupants or events taking place at a lazy hour that either might be life-changing or may just fade away into a speck of wistfulness. The stories trickle from hilarity to seriousness of bigotry and communalism that become a major part of a sub-culture. Subtle racism, cultural labeling and the insecurities prevailing over other influential communities can be seen throughout the book. This is quite a norm here in India where preference for “fair” skin tones and understated prejudices seep into daily life. The multifarious patterns of Bombay and its people through the lives of one community are comparable to listening to ‘Moonlight Sonata’ at a crowded train station. The concluding story “Swimming Lessons” sums up the entirety of this book as it juxtaposes facts and fictions and illuminates the brilliance of a writer called Rohinton Mistry.

Words fail me when it comes to Mistry’s scintillating mosaic of inconsequential lives that seem to get lost in the crowd. He captures the nitty-gritty of one of the strictest religious community in Bombay through an array of lucid emotions and gentle compassion. Through his books I breathe the sweet air of my nostalgia and observe the frowning faces of strangers wondering the tale behind the wrinkle of their middling life. Rohinton Mistry, which is why I love your words so very much.


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I was very disappointed with this collection of short stories. To be fair, I am seldom as keen on short stories as on a novel, but even allowing for that basic prejudice I felt let down by this collection. after having so greatly enjoyed Mistry's novels "Such a Long Journey" and "A Fine Balance". I am glad that i had read them first - if I had read "Tales from Firozsha Baag" first i would never have bothered to try the novels, and I would have missed out on two absolute gems.
There are glimpses of Mistry's skill at story telling in some of these tales but overall I felt that there was just too much emphasis on the setting (and particularly the squalor) and not enough of his perceptive characterisation. ( )

Some good writing from a different perspective, an apartment compound in Bombay, India makes for some interesting reading. The stories though lack weight or meaning and brings the words- who cares- after your finished. ( )

This is the second book I've read by Rohinton Mistry this year - and I'm really liking his style of writing. He writes about the Parsis in Bombay and life in what we used to call "The Parsi Colony."

I'm not a lover of short stories, as I found out earlier this year. But this set of short stories were really enjoyable. Each one was substantial and seemed to tie up well, unlike most short stories that keep you hanging. And they all related to each other in time line and characters so it still had the novel feel, but not quite.

Mistry's writing transports you back to the Bombay you know with the sights and smells that are so familiar. His descriptions about life in the metropolitan bring back many memories of the place. And he describes the various characters to a T - like the catholic maid servant Jakaylee (Jacqueline) and the stall-owners outside the school. His stories are pretty true to the time and place.

I did see a little bit of Family Matters in the book toward the end but not too much. All in all a very enjoyable book. ( )