Ajinkya Bhasme, a renowned Indian author, has deftly weaved together the elements of family drama and supernatural horror in an engrossing tale “In the Rotten Pits of Hunger”, which has carved its niche in the walls of classy literature. It is a supernatural horror book that brings to light extreme hunger and starvation and is a poignant commentary on unequal distribution of food. The book elucidates the story of an opulent family compelled into fatal starvation and haunted by an ancient goddess of food, Annamati. That the darkest crevices of an empty stomach causes psychological desperation is revealed in this fiction in queue a heart wrenching manner.
The core of the narrative is formed by the Shukla family’s predicament which is effectuated by a series of profoundly poignant events. Bhasme adroitly succeeds to develop an atmosphere of suspense and terror, spell-binding the readers as the family combats sinister and diabolical spirits and also confronts deep internal strife simultaneously. A layer of depth to the story is added when the Indian cultural belief of food being equivalent to God is revealed. The very nourishment that invigorates the body becomes a fount of terror, smudging the lines between physical and metaphysical regions. The conjuring up of ancient entities and the malevolent spirit lend an eerie atmosphere, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
It is rightly said that if plot is the bones upon which the meat of your story hangs, then surely characters are the heart and soul. The author has really infused a new life in each of his characters. All the characters are lucidly depicted. Each character grapples with his or her insecurities, and hopes in the teeth of the malevolent forces that have overwhelmed their lives.
The novelist’s storytelling deftness radiates through as the Shukla family confronts colossal tragedy and their once thriving farms are devoured by an inexplicable rot.
Ajinkya’s marvellous characterization lets us profoundly empathize with Bhuva and his family’s strife and desperation to find a solution.
By gradually building tension and exposing the stygian secrets of the house, the pace of the plot is deftly executed. Bhuva’s responsibility as the oldest grandson and his resolution to rescue his family make him an intriguing protagonist.
The trait of complexity is merged into the story by the juxtaposition of the benevolent entity and the malevolent spirit, bringing about thought-inducing questions about the nature of good and evil.
A layer of realism is added to the tale by the novel’s delving deep into the emotional dynamics of the family besides entering into the realms of horror and the supernatural. The desperation and apprehension that permeate Shukla’s lives are captured by Bhasme’s evocative prose.
This novel not only entertains the readers but also gives them food for thought on the significance of food and its indispensability for us and how it can wreak havoc in our lives if it is unmanaged injudiciously.
The book becomes quite an engaging and a spellbinding read that merges spine-chilling horror with familial bonds and cultural beliefs.
Exposing the horrors that can emerge from unexpected founts, Bhasme’s narrative adroitness radiates through in this tale of gloom. This book is a must-read for those who love to devour horror novels.
It will certainly create an indelible impression on the readers and keep them riveted till end. His maestro-like story-telling and exploration of magisterial themes make this novel rather a must-read for anyone who is an ardent seeker of riveting and culturally rich literary experience.
Dr. Shiv Sethi is a renowned author, thinker and reviewer.