‘Size Does Matter!’

Book: মানবজনম (One Human-Life)

Writer: Sadat Hossain

Genre: Novel/Fiction

Dedicated to: Legendary Musician Syed Abdul Hadi and his friends

Target Reader: Adult

Publisher: Bhashachitra (Book Fair Stall#610-611)

1st Published: February 2017

©: Writer

Cover: Khondokar Sohel

Writer's Photo: Khan Shohag

Price: 695/- (At Book Fair: approx. 522/-)

ISBN: 978-984-92802-2-4

Ok, let's see what's the right word for this... Charmed? Fascinated? Attracted? No, maybe all of them or maybe 'captivated' rounds it up well!

So, dear readers, if you want get captivated in a fiction novel, Sadat Hossain is your guy and his latest book this year (2017) 'Manabjanam' is your book. This almost 500-page long story, which has already sold 4 editions, will keep you glued to it for a pretty long time.

The beauty of 'Manabjanam', roughly translated to 'One Human-Life', is a story of many. Sadat Hossain, one of the most popular novelists of this generation, is best known for showcasing simpler mental-visuals as the backdrop, but goes deep in character building and this book is no different. He has also stuck to his expertise of viewing the world through the eyes of the middle-class and lower-middle-class people of the society, as often he states that he represents these segments himself.

From the flap of the book's jacket, you might get a feeling that the book speaks of only 'Hema' who wants to go back to 'her' home; but you would be wrong.

When it comes to the longer version of novel writing, in most cases the story is too linear and might just have an extra layer of fat! In the case of this very young and talented writer, in his widely spread canvas, his story has characters playing laterally, doesn't leave much empty space, keeps it tight and works wonderfully with branches.

Sadat Hossain, a personal favourite of many, will not bore you. At the same time, his writing will be proof enough of that fact that a wonderful story can always be told in fewer words, or in this case, fewer pages! 

However, the writer needs to focus more on variety where his writing is concerned and also work on his cover designs.

Grab the book and give it a read! Only then will the reader understand as to why a bigger canvas is needed compared to the usual size of novels.

For more information on his styles of writing and storytelling, you may also read the same writer's 'Arshinagar' and 'Andarmahal' published by the same publisher.

Anik Khan is a Poet and Journalist.