A Small Sacrifice For An Enormous Happiness by Jai Chakrabarti, 2016
The magic trick:
Moving the plot quickly while maintaining a focus on emotions not actions
Great story today. It struck me as one that has a unique narrative momentum. It moves, to be sure. One event begets another. Situations change quickly and progress. But it’s unique because it’s not the kind of plot that you would describe as a potboiler or a page-turner. The focus never leaves the characters’ emotions. We lock in on feelings from the start. So, the result is a rare combination of an emotion-centric, plot-driven story.
And that’s quite a trick on Chakrabarti’s part.
The selection:
Though he knew Sharma was treating him as a customer for good reason, the tone still stung. Nikhil whispered, “See what I have brought.” He produced the perfect baby girl dress.
“You have lost your soup,” Sharma whispered back. Then, so everyone could hear, “Babu, you’ll have the parts tomorrow. Latest, tomorrow.”
Nikhil tried again, “Do you see the collar, the sweet lace?”
“You should go to your home now,” Sharma said. “Tomorrow, I’ll see you.”
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