General & Literary Fiction

A magistrate known for his integrity seeks his friend's help to deliver judgement on a tricky case. A middle-aged shopkeeper earns pungent rebukes from a variety of sources including his young wife. A couple of minor gods seek the help of the powerful Sun god. Chellappa's good intentions and Charubala's social work yield comically undesirable results.

In this collection of his most powerful and enjoyable stories, C.N. Annadurai braids irony, clever puns and rhetoric while dealing with an array of subjects: widow remarriage, communism, rationalism, the law and a critique of brahminical oppression. Characterized not only by their social consciousness, these stories also brilliantly showcase Anna's sharp mind and sparkling wit.