Pick a Peak - Bengali Classics Edition

Pick a Peak

"Pick a Peak is meant to recommend books that I have read as well as to mention it's motive and which parts I liked and which parts I didn't like. Pick a Peak is something of a token to recommend a book to others."

 

Kakababu

Sunil Gangopadhyay

Raja Roy Chowdhury as in "Kakababu" is an adventurous character who with his nephew as well as sidekick Sontu solves crimes and unveils mysteries. Kakababu was created by Sunil Gangopadhyay. It all started with the publication of Bhoyonkor Shundor in Anandamela magazine. Kakababu series continued for 33 years with 42 books published till author's death in 2012. Though Kakababu uses crutches to walk, it didn't stop him from visiting different places, going to inaccessible places and making new aquaintances while solving crimes. Sharp vision, strong calculative mind and perfect aim for shooting is Kakababu's main traits. Bhoyonkor Shundor, Sobuj Dwiper Raja, Bijoynogorer Hire are some of the well known novels from Kakababu series. Some movies have been made on Kakababu series too.

Liked: I loved mostly the adventure part and how Kakababu along with Shonku faced obstacles and tackled them with a cool mind also facsinated me. Since Kakababu was the starting book series and paved the way for my reading addiction, it has taken a quite big spot in my heart.

Critics: Though at the end of the series, I felt some stories were not so engagable and they were some lackings. Some antagonistic characters were seen more frequently at the end too.

Feluda

Satyajit Roy

Prodosh Chandra Mitra or Feluda is a sharp minded private investigator and detective created by Satyajit Ray. Satyajit Ray published first story of Feluda called Feludar Goendagiri in Sandesh magazine. Feluda with his cousin, Topshe and later joined by their new friend, Jatayu (alias Lalmohon Ganguli) ventures into the crime and mystery solving world while visiting different proportions of India and also in foreign country too. Feluda's inspiration for being a detective comes from Sherlock Holmes whom he calls "master" of all detectives. Feluda loves to disguise for finding clues too. Badshahi Angti, Sonar Kella, Gangtokey Gondogol are the most famous novels from Feluda series. Lots of movies on Feluda has been made throughout the years.

Liked: It gave me very Kolkata vibes. Though Feluda was older than Topshe but their chemistry were gem for the eyes. Then Jatayu came and made the stories more comical. Feluda's ability to disguise was very enjoyable. I loved how he surprised Topshe or Jatayu by showing up in front of them and none of them could recognise him.

Critics: Many times, stories were so predictable. I could tell what was going to happen or what could possibly go wrong at which point. Well not every story is going be unpredictable.

Byomkesh Bakshi

 Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay

Byomkesh Bakshi is a fictional detective character created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. Byomkesh Bakshi first appeared in Satyanweshi in 1932. Byomkesh Bakshi usually paired with Ajit whom he befriended while working on a case. This duo loves solving crimes and murders. Byomkesh loves to refer himself as truth-seeker or "Satyanweshi" rather than being called a detective. While solving crimes and murders, his logical thinking, scientific evaluation and proficiency in observation made him well known. Byomesh met with his wife, Satyabati during one of his case too. There are total 32 stories of Byomkesh Bakshi series. Satyanweshi, Chiryakhana, Durgo Rahasya are some of the well-known novels of Byomkesh Bakshi. Quite a lot of films have been produced on Byomkesh too.

Liked: I finished this book in a week. It was a big book for me. I loved how logics were presented for the crimes. My favorite moments were the interaction between Byomkesh and Satyabati. I also loved how age were a matter in this book as we could see character grow old.

Kiriti Roy 

Dr. Nihar Ranjan Gupto

Kiriti Roy is a fictional character created by Dr. Nihar Ranjan Gupta. Dr. Nihar Ranjan Gupta created Kiriti Roy after he met with Agatha Christie in UK. The first appearance of Kiriti Roy was at Kalo Bhromor(1985). Kiriti Roy is a tall, attractive and fair looking private investigator. His friend and assistant, Subrata also helps him with the investigations. Subrata narrates some of the stories of Kiriti Roy too. Kiriti Roy. As part of Kiriti Roy series, there are more than 100 novels and stories.

Liked: Loved the logical facts and medical logics to solve crime and murders.

Tenida

Narayan Gangopadhyay

Bhajahari Mukhujjee, also known as Teni or Tenida is from Potoldanga, Calcutta which features some short and larger comedic works from Bengali author Narayan Gangopadhyay. Tenida is the leader of the three young underlings from his neighbourhood called Charmurti. He may not be good in academic terms and fail in class but he is a top -notch big talker. He loves to brag about his deeds he had done before though most of them are false. Tenida also has huge appetite and can gobble up a basket of sweets on his own. Charmurti's gang members love to pinch Tenida but respects him as he is a symbol of inspiration and courage for them. Sometimes, Tenida's big talks are compared with his large nose too. In total of 33 short stories and 5 novels has been published of Tenida series.

Liked: Tenida is a very fabulous character. I just kept laughing while reading this. I have reread quite a lot as it was a mood changer for me.

Professor Shonku

Satyajit Roy

Professor Shonku can be called one of the finest novel series of Satyajit Roy. Prof. Shonku first appeared on the story named Byomjatrir Diary. Prof. Trilokeshwar Shonku is a fictional scientist and inventor from Giridh. He lives in a house with his cat, Newton and his loyal man-servent, Pralhad. He invents scientific machines such as animal voice translator, scientific guns, planes for travelling to another place. He also knows 69 languages. Prof. Shonku's neighbour, Avinash Babu, doesn't believe in Shonku's creations and often loves to laugh about them. Prof. Shonku also loves to travel as he goes on many adventures, in both real and fantastical places. There are 38 adventures of Prof. Shonku as in 38 novels on Professor Shonku series.

Liked: At first, I am a big fan of Satyajit Roy. Shonku was one of my first sci-fi book. It was fun to read. It gave me a quite refreshing feeling as it was a new genre for me back then. Shonku's scientific inventions were also a fascination.

~The End~

 Blog by Tapoborota Datta