Fantasy Fictions from the Bengal Renaissance

antasy Fictions is something far beyond a skilful and pleasing translation of two landmark texts of Bengali children's literature: it is a rich repository of insights into numerous facets of Indian literature, history, culture, politics, folklore, mythology, and much else besides, and therefore represents a valuable addition to the field of annotated works of children's literature that will be helpful to anyone interested in these two fascinating stories and their broader context. * Nikola Novaković, Libri i Liberi *
...an excellent translation and has been minutely researched. It is a valuable addition not only to translations of the vernacular tales into English, but also to folklore studies, particularly Indian folkloristics. The work may be considered significant as it combines translation with the comparative study of the folktale tradition and the 19th-century Anglo-Western conventions of fantasy fiction * Neena Gupta Vij, Tales Across Time *
This study, which seems to us a model of its kind, would fully deserve a French translation because, if it focuses on a highly localized geographical and cultural area, it indicates a path to follow for research on children's and popular culture. * Francois Marcoin, Cahiers Robinson *
this volume is an unprecedented contribution to scholarship published in English on children's literature and/or fantasy fiction from South Asia * Abhishek Sarkar, Nordic Journal of Science Fiction and Fantasy Research *
This impressive and substantial volume not only provides the text of two tales by the nephews Abanindranath and Gaganendranath of the distinguished poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, but also, with a wealth of editorial material, puts the stories in their literary and historical context -- to the extent of making an uninformed reader like myself suddenly aware of a previously unfamiliar rich treasury of classic writing for children ... This book is surely destined to open its readers' eyes to a range of different perspectives about the impressive variety of manifestations of children's literature throughout the world. * Pat Pinsent, International Board on Books for Young People: UK *
Sircar's volume self-consciously redeems the putative "low" and folk literature by the high attention he grants it, and justly so, given the extremely rich texture of the narratives. I dare say everybody, even the most expert readers, will learn a lot from this study. Sircar's book is a result of the long quest of a Bengali folk and Kunstmärchen aficionado, as is also apparent from a few appearances the author makes in his text. These do not detract from, but add to the book's attractiveness, lending it a passionate flavor. * Hans Harder, Bookbird *
This volume is a critical edition of two remarkable fables written in Bengali by the brothers Gaganendranath Tagore (1867–1938) and Abanindranath Tagore (1871–1951), master painters and pioneers of Indian Modernism. ... This book offers a meaningful insight into Bengali children's literature of the time. The milieux and periods that saw the rise of modern constructs of 'childhood' are fascinating areas of comparative study. Hence, the international and inter-linguistic acquaintance with texts is most welcome – wherever that literature comes from, and whatever the mechanisms of its dissemination. * Giuseppe Flora, Edinburgh University Press *
... there is hardly anything that Sarkar does not touch upon in the context of early Bangla folklore at least in passing ... the edition is an absolute delight, with its nursery rhymes, beautiful illustrations by Abanindranath Tagore, and an excellent re-translation of these classic tales that deserves to be read by children and adults alike. * Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay, Fantastika Journal *
[a] remarkable volume ... [it] is extraordinarily rich and beautiful: even the meticulously detailed footnotes are beautifully written. Throughout, there is a lightness of touch that allows the author to playfully yet trenchantly critique idealogues from several intellectual traditions * David Gordon White, Asian Ethnology *
This is a major book mainly for scholars of folktales and fairy tales...[the book] provides numerous references and material for understanding how Indian culture was becoming more independent during the first half of the twentieth century. Indeed, if anyone wants a primer dealing with the early development of folklore and children's literature in India, this is the book to read. * Jack Zipes, Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies *
Those for whom the Bengal Renaissance and its literature and personalities is unknown territory can only benefit from this book. * John Howard, Wormwood: Literature of the fantastic, supernatural and decadent. (UK), Vol. 36, 2020 *
Overall, this is a most welcome addition to OUP's list. Sircar's translations, without appearing enslaved to the source-texts, read fluently, while maintaining an authentic feel. His scholarship is impeccable, chasing down every association that might be of possible interest, such that readers will find the intellectual journey as absorbing as the tales themselves. * David Rudd, Sicar Review *
For readers thirsty to discover the world of Bengali folklore in its theory and tales, this book is definitely a must-read. * Anurima Chanda, Ashoka University , Children's Literature Association Quarterly *
Whatever factors define a 'culture area' and a 'subculture', language is one of them...this Bengal-related volume in English makes accessible materials which are particularly relevant and interesting to folklorists in these adjacent linguistic areas. * Anand Mahanand, Lokranta *
There is not an iota of doubt that the two works do represent a substantial contribution to the scholarship within its field ... The introductions and critical apparatus [are] excellent. In fact, they can hardly be bettered ... [The translations are] smooth-running, simple without being naive, lucid, at times, scintillating. All the qualities necessary for a book to be friendly towards children are present in the translation ... I insist, given the high quality of the project, illustrations become one of its integral aspects." - Sibaji Bandyopadhyay, formerly Professor of Cultural Studies, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences Calcutta, Kolkata
I have read both the manuscripts with great interest. It has been a learning experience for me ... The translator's introductions to both the texts ... reflect her/his substantial research work in the field. The bibliography compiled will also be very useful for further research work. I would say that both the volumes could be very important contributions to the field ... The translations read very well. * Nilanjana Bhattacharya, Assistant Professor, Department of English and Other Modern European Languages, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan *