Shadow Men

Bijoya Sawian weaves a haunting tale in “Shadow Men,” where mist-shrouded isolation and distant gunshots create an atmosphere of mystery. Raseel’s visit to her friend Aila in Shillong unravels a truth linked to insurgency, as she delves into the enigmatic death of an outsider. Amidst this intrigue, the hill state itself becomes a character, reflecting the challenges of a matrilineal society, battling substance abuse and corruption, and grappling with the quest for identity.

Within the pages of “Shadow Men,” Sawian masterfully captures the essence of a shifting landscape. As mist envelops isolated structures and gunshots pierce the air, Raseel’s investigation into an outsider’s demise intertwines with the shadowy realm of insurgency. Against this backdrop, Shillong emerges as a multifaceted entity, embodying societal complexities while contending with issues ranging from addiction to political deceit. Sawian’s tales weave a captivating narrative set in a once-idyllic hill state now standing at a critical juncture of change.