Wind Chimes by the Sea

Wind Chimes by the Sea, Stories Blown Ashore is a collection of 11 short stories by Beetashok Chatterjee. This is the second book by Chatterjee that I’ve read this year; a couple of months ago, I was captivated by MayDay, which explores the perils affecting the world’s oceans. While MayDay is a work of non-fiction, Wind Chimes by the Sea is fiction, yet both share a common theme—the seaman’s deep love for the waters and ships.

Chatterjee’s passion for the sea shines through in his vivid visual imagery and sensory storytelling. He masterfully captures the essence of life at sea, drawing readers into the world of sailors with every page. As I read, I could almost feel the rhythmic ebb and flow of the ocean. The sea, far from being a mere backdrop, becomes a character in itself, central to the narrative.

The simplicity of Chatterjee’s vocabulary makes the stories accessible, yet still rich in detail. However, the collection does feature a fair amount of maritime jargon. While I appreciated learning the technical terms, they were sometimes distracting. Though definitions are provided on each page, constantly pausing to reference them interrupted my reading flow. At times, I wished the author had found a way to weave these terms more seamlessly into the story.

Stories like Service to the Nation, Okinotori Shima, and All’s Well That Ends Well stood out as particularly strong, earning more than four stars in my rating. The other stories, while still enjoyable, would fall in the 3-star range.

Wind Chimes by the Sea is an engaging collection that will appeal to fans of maritime adventures. Chatterjee’s ability to immerse readers in the heart of the ocean is unparalleled, and for those willing to navigate the technical language, the experience is rewarding. Overall, it’s a celebration of the timeless connection between sailors and the sea, filled with moments of beauty, tension, and nostalgia.

I receieved this book as a prize for winning a short story contest conducted by ArtoonsInn.

This review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.

Wordsopedia Rating 3/5

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I’ve selected this book as my pick for the #ReadingWithMuffy challenge, for the prompt – a book recommended by a favourite reviewer.