Review

“Growth is the secret of life.”

We often say cut the long story short, and this time, I truly read one. I recently finished reading this book, and it turned out to be quite an interesting and engaging read.

To Cut a Long Story Short by Ranjan Sen is a collection of 11 short stories that take us through varied worlds, from royal courts to corporate meeting rooms to police stations. Each story explores themes of love, relationships, sacrifice, and the many layers of human emotions, offering a new lens to look at human experiences. And what I really liked is how each story feels like a glimpse… a small window into someone’s life, their choices, their emotions.

Also Read: Book Review: All the Words Between the Lines – Notes from a Dad by Chirag Shah

The plot of each story is distinct and thoughtfully curated, giving us brief yet meaningful glimpses into different lives and situations, while the narrative remains crisp and engaging, allowing the reader to move seamlessly from one story to another. The storylines are simple yet intriguing, often built around a central idea that sparks curiosity and quietly invites you to think beyond what is written. The stories build a sense of suspense, thrill, and adventure, keeping the reader engaged and excited throughout.

Ranjan Sen’s writing style is smooth, descriptive, and easy to follow, making the stories accessible without losing their essence. The tone throughout stays light, relatable, and reflective, which makes it a comfortable read. The pacing varies across the collection. Some stories feel very short, almost like passing moments, while others take their time to build a sense of drama and engagement. While this adds variety, it also made me wish that a few stories had more depth and space to fully unfold.

The characters, though briefly introduced, still manage to leave an impression, making you feel connected to their journeys even within a limited span. However, when it comes to the climax, a few stories feel slightly abrupt or underexplored, ending at a point where you expect a stronger emotional or narrative payoff, leaving behind a sense of incompleteness rather than closure.

Among all the stories, The SMS Murder stood out as my absolute favorite—it was gripping, cleverly written, and had that thrill which keeps you hooked till the end. The Keeper of the Records was another story I really enjoyed, with its unique and thought-provoking concept that stayed with me even after I finished reading.

What I appreciated most about this book is how it leaves space for the reader. It doesn’t try to explain everything but instead lets you sit with the story and interpret it in your own way. I also liked how beautifully it makes you pause, it doesn’t overwhelm you with heavy storytelling but offers small windows into different lives, leaving you to reflect, imagine, and sometimes even complete the story in your own way. And perhaps that is where its strength lies, not in giving all the answers, but in quietly asking the reader to sit with the questions.

In all, it’s a good read if you enjoy short, quick, and thought-provoking stories. It may not always give you a completely satisfying ending, but it definitely keeps you engaged and thinking. It may not give you all the answers, but it will leave you with questions worth sitting with.

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