Five Spice Curry by Anushila Chakrabarti – Five Short Stories, Many Flavours of Life

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Review:

“Never go by assumptions in life and maths.”

It has been a while since I read a collection of short stories, and Five Spice Curry felt like a refreshing change. There is something comforting about stories that remind us that life is often made up of ordinary moments – moments we may not think much of when they happen, but that later become an inseparable part of our lives.

Anushila Chakrabarti’s Five Spice Curry is a collection of five heartwarming short stories exploring love, relationships, family, second chances, life choices, and the many emotions that shape our everyday lives. Rooted in familiar urban Indian life, the stories capture ordinary people at emotionally charged moments and show how unpredictable life can be. There is family drama, unexpected turns, humour, love, and plenty of moments that make you pause and think. The title itself is a beautiful metaphor. Just as different spices come together to create a dish with its own distinct flavour, the five stories bring together different emotions and experiences that make up the larger dish that is life. Each story has its own flavour, yet they all leave behind something to savour.

The first story, “Five Spice Curry,” is one of my favourites from the collection. It beautifully explores the relationship between a family, a daughter and her grandmother, while slowly bringing family secrets into the picture. What I particularly loved about this story was the warmth of the relationships and the way seemingly ordinary family moments carry so much emotion. It is a story that stays with you because of its characters and the little moments that make a family what it is.

“The Second Marriage” takes us into a story of love, the past, and second chances. It beautifully explores how certain people may be destined to find their way back to each other and how, no matter how powerful the past may be, it does not always have the final word when it comes to the present.

“Calls and Bargains” shows us how our smallest habits can play a big role in our lives without us even realising it. At its heart is a beautiful story of a couple and the little things that make a relationship meaningful. It is a reminder that love does not always reveal itself through grand gestures; sometimes, it exists in the smallest, most everyday things.

“The Crash” brings a different kind of tension to the collection. A family finds itself in a terrifying situation after a crash, and the story explores fear, uncertainty, survival, and what happens when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn. It is one of those stories where the circumstances immediately make you want to know what happens next, while also reminding us how quickly an ordinary moment can change everything.

And then there is “The Mirror,” which is another favourite of mine. It is a beautiful story about discovering what we truly want, expressing those desires, and finding the courage to be who we are. What stayed with me was how naturally the story brings out the conflict between what we are expected to be and what we truly want for ourselves. I loved the way it explores self-discovery and acceptance without making the story feel heavy. There is something quietly powerful about finding yourself and allowing yourself to choose what makes you happy. 

What I particularly loved about Five Spice Curry is that every story feels complete. Anushila Chakrabarti gives each one a proper beginning, progression, and ending, so even though you may find yourself wanting to know more about the characters, you never feel that the story has been left unfinished. Instead, you close each story with a sense of satisfaction.

The plots are brilliantly woven, and the pacing is one of the book’s strengths. The stories are interesting, fast-paced, crisp, and to the point – neither too long nor too short, making them just right for a short-story collection. The descriptive yet easy-flowing narrative makes the reading experience immersive without making the stories feel heavy. There is also a lot of drama here – family disagreements, secrets, emotional conflicts, unexpected turns, and moments that make you want to know what happens next. But alongside all that drama are the quieter moments of love that make these stories memorable. We see the warmth of family bonds, the relationship between mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren, and parents who may take time to understand their children’s choices but ultimately support and celebrate them. We also see the beauty of a husband willing to go the extra mile for his wife.

What makes these stories particularly relatable is their rootedness in everyday life. The characters, families and situations feel familiar, as though they could belong to people we have known or met. And while the stories are easy and entertaining to read, they also quietly make us think about the choices we make, the relationships we hold on to, and the little moments we often overlook while living them.

And perhaps that is what stayed with me the most: the little moments of love.

The conversations, gestures, choices, relationships, and seemingly ordinary events that don’t always feel extraordinary while we are living them can eventually become the moments we hold closest to our hearts. Each story captures some of that beautifully. The characters are well-developed and leave an impression, while the smooth pacing keeps the stories moving without rushing them. Every event is woven in a way that keeps the reader curious about what will happen next, making the collection engaging from beginning to end.

In all, Five Spice Curry is a refreshing collection of stories about love, family, relationships, second chances, and life’s unpredictability. I particularly loved “Five Spice Curry” and “The Mirror” for the warmth, emotions, and ideas they brought to the collection. If you are looking for something light, emotional, dramatic, and entertaining at the same time, this is a lovely book to pick up. Sometimes, the ordinary moments turn out to be the ones we remember forever and Five Spice Curry is a beautiful reminder of exactly that.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Five Spice Curry by Anushila Chakrabarti about?

Five Spice Curry is a collection of five short stories exploring love, family, relationships, second chances, life choices, and the emotions hidden within ordinary moments. Each story brings its own flavour while offering relatable glimpses into everyday life.

2. How many stories are there in Five Spice Curry?

The book contains five short stories: “Five Spice Curry,” “The Second Marriage,” “Calls and Bargains,” “The Crash,” and “The Mirror.”

3. Is Five Spice Curry an emotional read?

Yes. While the stories are light and entertaining, they also explore emotionally charged moments involving family, love, relationships, choices, and unexpected turns in life.

4. Is Five Spice Curry a good book for readers who enjoy short stories?

Definitely. The stories are crisp, fast-paced, and complete, making the collection a good choice for readers who enjoy short, engaging stories without lengthy plots.

5. Who should read Five Spice Curry?

It is ideal for readers who enjoy heartwarming short stories, family drama, relationship-driven fiction, relatable Indian settings, and stories that find meaning in the little moments of everyday life.

Reader Viddh’s Take

Five Spice Curry is a refreshing short-story collection that reminded me how much can be packed into a few pages. I loved how Anushila Chakrabarti finds emotion in ordinary moments and turns family, relationships, choices, and little gestures into stories that stay with you. “Five Spice Curry” and “The Mirror” were my favourites, each for very different reasons. With its crisp storytelling, engaging plots, emotional depth, and just the right amount of drama, this is a lovely pick for anyone looking for a light yet meaningful read.

Also Read:

Book Review: To Cut a Long Story Short by Ranjan Sen – 11 Thought-Provoking Short Stories.

Few Short Stories by Kunal Mukherjee – Book Review