Saturday, October 15, 2016

Book Review: KNITTED TALES: A COLLECTION OF EMOTIONS by Rubina Ramesh

Congratulations Rubina Ramesh! I am sure this is the first of many more to come. Looking forward to reading more and more of your writing.



The title drew me right in. I am a sucker for emotional drama. What’s the worth of a story if it doesn’t make one emote? I need to either laugh, cry, love, hate or whatever. And so I delved into the book that promised a whole collection of them.

The cover goes perfectly with the title and even more so with the stories that have been knitted within.

I have read the author’s writing on and off and have always believed she’s an excellent story-teller, especially shorts. Rubina Ramesh has her own style of presenting a story – THUD – like a slap on one’s face. The scenes make you sit up and take notice as she weaves words into sentences that stir you up.

The book begins with a tale called “A secret in their closet”. Curiosity tickled, I read on, goose pimples standing out on my skin. The story of Anjali and Payal is sure to make you bite your nails.

I never expected “Betrayal” to end the way it did. Hard hitting! The writing is so powerful that you want to kick the antagonist, hard.

“Chiclets” is a sweet little story that absolutely touched my heart – simple and beautiful.

“Forgive Me, for I have sinned” touches a bold theme. I liked Sharda’s character – the wife who accepts her husband Abhijit for exactly what he is. Nicely penned with crisp dialogue.

“Lolita” is one of the best stories. I so loved the way Lolita is brought to life by the author’s words. I want more. Is there a full novel in the making, Rubina Ramesh? (Please say ‘yes’)

“No Regrets” is another cutesy story about NRI life in the USA. I loved the way Raima dealt with her situation as an undervalued housewife.

“SuvarnaRekha” has a surprising setting, interesting story, unexpected ending. I felt sad while reading it, but I don’t think the lovers really cared. What attitude!

“The Little Godmother” is heart touchingly beautiful. A lovely must read for young parents.

“The Missing Staircase” – I could so relate to Christie’s beautiful relationship with her grandfather. The title is perfect and the second half startlingly unexpected.

“The Other Woman” – I cried for fourteen-year-old Aru. Touched me deeply. I still don’t know if I should be angry with Aru’s parents or feel sorry for them.

“Daddy, Hear me out” – I went back to my children’s school days. My daughter used to hate exams and the pressure they brought with them. Jaspreet’s situation will touch a chord among many youngsters. The story is a clarion call for us to wake up to reality and let our children live their lives. The scene where the author has described Jaspreet’s thoughts as she sits at the examination table brings the anguish of a student to life.

I suck at examinations. I hate them. My mind stops working when the question paper lands on my desk and all I see is a black abyss. I can see the answers at the end of the black tunnel. Often I run towards them, hoping I can hold them in my two hands and put them down on the paper. But they escape me. Like small angels, naughty ones, who have just come to torment me and then flutter away. Mocking me with their presence, yet escaping me and leaving me behind, parched.”

“Cliff Notes” is in first person (as many of the above stories) and is the best of the lot. At the end of it, I wanted to hug this ‘person’ who was telling the story.

Other quotes from #KnittedTales that stayed back with me:

If silence had a sound of its own, then there would be a cacophony of screams.”

 “Her heart soared when trembling hands held an umbrella over her, lest the angry sun peeled away the layers of her beauty.”

VERDICT: You can’t afford to ignore Rubina Ramesh’s words or her writing style, if you are an avid reader. You’d miss something truly valuable.



Buy your copy @


About the author


Rubina Ramesh is an avid reader, writer, blogger, book reviewer and marketer. She is the founder of The Book Club, an online book publicity group. Her first literary work was published in her school magazine. It gave her immense pride to see her own name at the bottom of the article. She was about 8 years old at that time. She then went to complete her MBA and after her marriage to her childhood friend, her travel saga started. From The Netherlands to the British Isles she lived her life like an adventure. After a short stint in Malaysia, she finally settled down in the desert state of USA, Arizona. Living with her DH and two human kids and one doggie kid, Rubina has finally started living the life she had always dreamed about – that of a writer. 


4 comments:

  1. You know Sundari, I was waiting with abated breath to read a few lines of review from you. The delay in publishing these stories, those nail-biting moments - all seem worthwhile now. Thanks for the encouraging words. Coming from a prolific writer like you, it's a treasure to me. I still remember the dialogue - " Cut it after 4 chap" :P So these words I am going to savor for life time. Yes!!

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    1. After this lengthy and heartfelt review, she remembers "cut it after 4 chap"... sigh... There's no winning over some people ;)

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    2. That was a huge motivation Sundari. Only you could say it and I could take it from you .. and that has helped me a lot. How can I forget it? It is my motivation to do better everyday.

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