Book review: Stuck like Lint
Diverging narratives, converging ideas, coalesce into a multi-layered story
Stuck like Lint is unlike any book I have ever read before. A fan of spy fiction, I am fond of stories where the whole world is at stake and the protagonist saves or doesn’t save the day. Recent forays into the realm of literary fiction have been rewarding. One such reward is Stuck like Lint by Shefali Tripathi Mehta.
On the face of it, Stuck like Lint looks like a collection of short stories carefully curated and arranged with a diverse set of characters and plots; a veritable mix of suspense, romance, internal conflict, and a thirst for the unachievable.
But as you read further, the intentions of the protagonist start to unravel. You begin to notice a pattern with some of the stories and their revelations. The story that revolves between the two protagonists, Trisha and Debika, is well fleshed-out and becomes quite rewarding.
The story is filled with characters who you meet everyday. The complexity that people endure and unravel in simple existence is well described.
The writing hooks are well-placed and it is difficult to stop reading. The writing is simple, lucid, and does not have cliches. The prose is evocative and creates vivid images as you read. There are parts which some people may find more interesting than others, but the beauty of having a collection of stories ensures there is something for everyone.
To me, Stuck like Lint, is like a maze where you start at the usual starting point and try to find your way out, but as and when you proceed, you realise that you are not navigating the maze but are the maze master yourself.
This is the first book I read by Shefali Tripathi Mehta and I look forward to the other books by her.
