A Fistful of Moonlight: New Fiction from Assam

“A Fistful of Moonlight,” edited by Mitra Phukan, Arunava Sinha, and Lucy Hannah, presents a diverse collection of fourteen stories. These narratives delve into the intricate realms of human experience, offering a unique perspective on life. A man’s obsession with shoes becomes a unique lens through which he views the world. A family grapples with the enduring trauma stemming from a daughter’s tragic demise, confronting the specter of an unsettling curse. In another tale, a young girl finds liberation in shedding her long locks, shedding not just her hair but also the weight of multiple identities. The Baghjan oilfield disaster claims a life, and a community wrestles with the aftermath of their loss. Love confronts social taboos, leaving deep emotional scars that refuse to fade with time. The uncertainty of a family’s future looms as they are once again uprooted from their home. These narratives explore themes of love, identity, politics, fantasy, and breathe new life into age-old fairy tales, transporting readers into the heart of contemporary Assamese literature.