Empty Fists

by Mangalam Shiva

The book contain 17 chapters of short stories. They address some of the social evils in India which affect Women & Children.

Animals are also intelligent unlike what many people think. Dogs have special power the sniff humans and great intuition to save innocent people from calamities.
Mangalam Shiva.

214 pages, Paperback

First published June 29, 2015

About the author

Mangalam Shiva has published his book of short stories "CENTURION" In sequel to his first book of short storie " EMPTY FISTS" . The AUTHOR IS A RETIRED MARKETING PROFESSIONAL HAVING WORKED IN WELL KNOWN PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANIES IN INDIA.
After retirement he has taken to writing short stories with themes focusing on social injustices in India against Women & Children. Using his imagination and experience he has created situations & characters to portray in the stories.
The stories are very emotional & poignant having attracted powerful comments from the readers.
He has a great passion for photography, listening to ghazals and reading fictions by authors like Robert Ludlum, Robin Cook, Sidney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer, Tom Clancy, James Patterson, David Baldacci and many more. I have read about 250 books so far.
Recently, I have uploaded 10 stand-alone short stories on Amazon KIndle Direct Publishing Platform. All the books/stories are available on Amazon.in/Amazon.com
Mangalam Shiva.

Reviews

[Fiza Pathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This collection of social issue fiction short stories was really uplifting, motivating, and captivating. Stellar author Shivkumar Mangalam won me over with his first debut collection of short stories titled ‘Empty Fists’. I just could not get enough of the book. This is yet another reason why I most of the time always choose indie books!

‘Empty Fists’ is a collection of suspenseful social issue short stories focusing on the Indian scenario of the latter 20th century and early 21st century. It focuses on urban social issues faced by Indian men, women, and children in urban cities and towns and how they try to overcome the obstacles set in their paths. The collection is pulsating with raw energy and is certainly Shivakumar Mangalam at his best. I think this short story collection was even better than ‘Centurion’ which was the first short story collection I ever read of the author. If you want a dosage of reality-based thriller fiction, then Mangalam sir is the author you should be adding to your Kindle library right now!

From sexual assault to the many blues of news reporting work; from the extortion rackets of real estate agents to the grossness of eve teasing; from the hopeless scenario of the Indian glass ceiling effect to the abuse of minors in their own homes; from corruption in the bureaucracy in the 20th century to the horrors of alcohol abuse – all social issue topics that concern the Indian urban scenario are covered in ‘Empty Fists’ that can educate, inspire, and create an urge in the reader to make a positive difference wherever they can do so.

The short stories read like real thrillers or some excellently penned suspense fiction of the likes of Jeffrey Archer, James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Sidney Sheldon but within the context of an Indian urban setting. Mangalam beats modern big name publisher writers like Nidhi Upadhyay, Prajakta Koli, Nikita Singh, and Novoneel Chakraborty because his plots are way better, fully well managed, conclusive, suspenseful, sensible, realistic and his conclusions always create a perfect closure of the topic or theme.

Seriously, if you want some sensible social issue thriller fiction that makes sense and has perfect closure at the end of the likes of earlier Jeffrey Archer, James Patterson, and David Baldacci books of the latter 20th century, then please dump everyone else and pick up ‘Empty Fists’ by Shivkumar Mangalam. If you want to get some quality Indian thriller fiction, then come to the indie-market and not to the Big Publishers; they will only and always let you down! But Mangalam Shiva will rock your Black and White Kindle and give these so called present popular Big Publisher authors a real run for their money and publicity overdose.

From pariah dogs playing matchmaking to wife swapping turned into ‘wife slapping the wicked husband’ matches; from arranged marriages turning bitter to saintly fathers-in-law turning into mortal sinners; from independent women seeking a new work life to old male dogs wanting their old difficult to handle canine wives; from 70 year old men dying with nothing but empty fists to retelling the sad plight of the Indian urban girl child in a gist – ‘Empty Fists’ makes perfect reading for all social issue fans and for all those who value really good realistic thriller fiction and not plain garbage that we see displayed in the book market in our bookshops these days.

My favourite short stories in this series were ‘Stigma’ and ‘Shattered Dreams’ both which were women centric themes, and which really touched the core of my heart. In fact, where ‘Stigma’ was concerned, I could actually feel my goosepimples rising when the female protagonist was alone on the almost deserted causeway with her office driver. How she tackled her otherwise hopeless situation is something worthy to read in this excellent collection. Where ‘Shattered Dreams’ was concerned, I almost screamed at the farmer and the tree episode – indeed, these two short stories were thrilling but eye-opening at the same time.

I resonated very well with the female protagonist in the short story ‘Whirlpool’ and could empathize with her very easily, because her reality is something that even I have been facing for a long while currently as an urban working woman living and working in Mumbai. It would not be an outrage at times to say that we working women seem to identify with the rag dolls we used to play with when we were younger than our prim and proper Barbie Dolls. The poem contained in this particular short story dedicated to women is painful to read but must be read nevertheless and I am thrilled that Mangalam Shiva sir managed to pen this evocative poem for the reading public; it should not be missed at all!

All in all, a thrilling collection of suspenseful and well-crafted stories that can blow anyone’s mind away. I prefer my fiction more realistic and plausible than fantastical with an outlandish plot that even the author ultimately cannot untangle!

Mangalam Shiva sir gets 5 stars from me as always! As an 81-year-old senior citizen and dynamic writer of short fiction, he needs to be more widely read by the Indian public. Kudos to him on a job well done!

[Majenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish the whole book had been through the eyes of a TRUE "rescue dog"--a four-legged creature who is always ready to bound into action when he smells evil on one of those big beasts known as humans. Even when he finds a loving home with an adoring and adored "human sister," he still checks in with his "crowd" and is always on the alert for lost or kidnapped children, injured people, desperate souls--even hopeful hearts in need of a matchmaker!

But that is just one part of this book. There is still the "Empty Fists" part and you won't want to miss that well-done journey through one person's life. Then there's the news reporter whose job Makes. Her. Sick. If you've ever felt ill watching the news from the safety of your home, you will believe that Being There, on the dramatic end, can actually wreck an only-human reporter physically, as well as mentally and emotionally. But you will also see how one reporter finds a healing path.

Finally, there is the so-aptly-named "Whirlpool." Just get ready.

Nicely done, Mangalam Shiva.....what's next?

Thanks for reading.

[Trang Tran · Rating 1 out of 5]

In my opinion, the short stories addressed some very interesting themes ( abusive behaviours, gender inequality, deviants conduct) but the author didn't explore it as much. In fact, I find the narrating style quite boring and monotonous. First, the short stories in a dog's point of view were really repetitive in their patterns. I felt like the dog had some superior complex, by always reminding us that he was better than the humans he encountered or even his friend dogs and I don't think that was relevant to the stories. Second, I feel like the short stories want to deliver a message but it was so forced on the reader. I had some trouble relating to the characters, their dialogues were really robotic and programmed. I think the purpose of the book was to make us realize how life in India can be pretty difficult especially for girls and women and I truly sympathize with them ( since I am well aware of all the gender discrimination in Asia growing up in Asia myself ), but the author failed to make it raw and emotional. As a reader, I expect to be moved by stories exploring those themes. But I was not. It felt more like a documentary than reading stories. However, there was a part in the end that I truly enjoyed a little poem-like style the author wrote to conclude the last story. Why a 2 stars ? You can read about my rating system here : https://bookidote.wordpress.com/2015/...

Thank you to the author for giving me the free book in exchange for an honest review.

Trang - Book Blogger and Book Reviewer
http://bookidote.wordpress.com

[bookaholic_kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the world we live in, lots of problems exist. There is always a time in human’s life where we suffer from different kinds of horrible things. But have you ever thought who induces these problems?

This book “Empty Fists” contains short stories that focus on various problems and experiences. And in every story it teaches lessons and made me see the real world. A world full of violence, gender issues, selfishness, and how people see money as the most important thing in the world.

There is a story from the book that really caught my attention. It is a story in the point of view of a dog named Raju. The story pointed out that “Humans behave worse than animals.” The truth hurts, seeing how people treat each other these days.

There are more stories in the book that are worth reading.
This is a must read for all ages. I highly praise Mangalam Shiva, for writing this book. He was able to dig deep in my heart and in my soul. Each short stories incorporates heart breaking and realistic plots.

And there is this question in the book that I can’t fully answer and I will leave it to you to ponder on. “Is it our karma which is making us pay for the conscious and unconscious mistakes in our lives?


(I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Empty Fists is a compilation of diverse short stories about the dreadful crimes that Indian residents encounter for many years. There isn't a single problem that was overlooked, from child molestation, rape to murder, you're sure to find it all. These extremely short stories are separated in two major sections. The first one covers the story of a dog with a God complex that believes that humans underestimate animals in more ways than one. As his adventures unfolds, he becomes a hero through the actions that are deemed heroic more often than not. The second part is composed of several tales of individuals and their lives as they each experience some of the most painful and inhuman acts done to Man since ages ago.

I don't want to come across as rude or distasteful, but here's the thing. I completely and utterly understand the problems that India knows, especially women. The situation of woman has evolved since a couple of years, but there are still ways to go. The incidents of rape, molestation, sexual deviance and murder that goes on in the country as if it was the norm still cling onto my moral compass and has me wondering what is we need to do to bring change to this cruel world. These events are eye-opening and brings several organisms to work hard to fight these acts anchored in society and in countless numbers of individual's daily lives. Excessive drinking, gambling, corruption, everything that feeds the evil in man is questionable and are made aware to society. I greatly appreciate Mangalam Shiva in attempting to expose these terrible crimes that ruin lives.
I must start off by mentioning that the structure of these short stories don't make sense. Why is the book separated in two big parts? What's the link between the dog and the human tales? If the two part were purposely separated, what does the dog stories explain in the definition of the title? Reading through the book had me wondering if this wasn't just a compilation of two different written productions in order to form a book instead of two. And the result is sure to be confusion and a destruction of flow. This definitely doesn't help the reader stay hooked to the novels, it has them wondering what the author was thinking. The structure of each story was also repetitive and unoriginal. Sentence structure and vocabulary suffered the same fate. The most important consequence of this is the lack of emotion and the capacity of the author to convey emotions properly. Every single character could've easily be seen as robots. Every single one of them were monotone and characters were nothing more than flat. Reading through the stories, I felt like every character was stating raw facts. It didn't matter if you were a rape victim or a sexually molested child, every single character would talk to each other like an equivalent android, without feelings or life. After all, emotions need to not only been seen through dialogue but in actions too. This greatly destroyed my capacity to be absorbed by the story and to feel emotions myself.

Another element of the novel that had me vexed was the dog. When first introduced as a street dog, he claimed to have an infallible sense of smell. Smell so amazing that it could tell good from evil. I was truly intrigued to see the stories unravel through the eyes of a dog that would be a hero, a hero that humans couldn't be. It is only when facing problems that I've came to realize the aggressive, almost murderous, decisions that Raju the dog makes. If anything, this dog has a God complex that doesn't bring me to understand its actions or feel emotionally engaged to the moral of the story in any shape or form. The first short story will definitely serve my case. If you don't want to be spoiled, you can skip to the next paragraph. And so, following a suspicious ugly smell emanating from a man that seeks to run away with an innocent woman and whatever amount of cash she has, the dog follows the man until the bus where he suddenly feels that bad things will happen to the woman after the mysterious questions regarding the amount of money brought by the girl. That's where his above-human decision-making brings him to jump on the man and slice his guts out and send him in a coma. Now, how is a violent act like this from a stray dog not condemned? Is preventing an action that isn't even sure to happen (betrayal and infidelity of the man to his wife) an excuse to almost killing him?

In short, Empty fists has an honorable purpose behind it but the execution was way off. In order to convince readers to see the horrible acts that are committed in India and to bring them to feel an urge to change things, a different, more consistent storyline would be necessary. It's by giving readers the chance to attach to the characters and the plot that they'll be able to see how change is necessary and can be achieved. It is not by continuously bombarding readers with the word “calamity” that you'll convince them that your chapters were successful. It is in my most humblest opinion that the short stories need more editing and focus in order to achieve their ultimate goals. In fact, the only short story that was intriguing in its idea and worth developing was the one with a journalist. Having a journalist to reach your audience would've been an amazing path to take for Empty Fists. A protagonist who spreads the news while trying to share the truth behind the crimes committed all around India, or the world, unlike the media nowadays, is a brilliant idea. I truly wish the best of luck to the author and his future novels. Hopefully, Empty Fists will serve as a learning curve to a revolutionary novel.

Yours truly,

Lashaan

Lashaan & Trang | Bloggers and Book Reviewers
Official blog: http://bookidote.wordpress.com

[Valicity Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empty Fists is an anthology. A collection of short stories reflecting on the different aspects of life faced by every individual. There is love, friendship, struggle, even loss. This is a collection of stories that will truly touch your heart from beginning to end.

The first story is very unique, it’s one of the best of the collection because of its narration. This story is actually told through the eyes of a dog. Honestly, it is one of the most sincere and kindest tales I’ve ever read. We follow a ‘street’ dog’s journey as he pursues justice on behalf of the many humans he encounters. The audience witnesses life through the eyes of an animal—a very unique experience. Shiva does a great job at working out the dog’s voice. His use of vocabulary and description is genuine and detailed enough to give us a good view of life on four legs.

One of the best parts of Siva’s writing is his ability to convey emotion through each of his characters. Even though there’s a mix of male, female, or even animal, I still felt something tug at my heart with every story. A different message was conveyed in each tale but it wasn’t hard to find them and to learn from them. Shiva paints a very plain and clear picture of what he wants to say and he does it in such a way that readers of all ages can enjoy his work.

One of the stories in Empty Fists is told from the point of view of a male who has actually died already. That’s one of the most dynamic things about Shiva’s writing, he truly thinks outside the box when he tells each story. This character is not a ghost, he isn’t supernaturally speaking to us, he is actually dead and he’s reflecting on his life. Being stuck in his head was a very emotional ride for me. I was faced with many different philosophical questions and metaphors that brought out the true meaning of the story.

With lines like, “I arrived in this world with clenched fists and I leave with empty fists.” You can really see how much heart was put into this piece. Every line has a meaning, each greater than the last. Every story challenges you to see things from more than one point of view and to reflect on your life in comparison to the lives of all the characters.

Being part of the story is something I really enjoyed from this book. I wouldn’t say that I was an ‘active’ reader, but I was definitely engaged and emotionally involved. Shiva’s writing captivated me with its honest detail and its heartwarming characters. There was much sadness in this anthology but amidst that sorrow were many smiles. Many little moments of happiness came from the characters and happiness invoked from the outcomes of the stories.

Probably the best part of Empty Fists was that it’s about minority characters. I got to see parts of a unique culture not seen so often in American fiction. It was refreshing to hear from a voice that didn’t come from someone with beautiful blonde hair and sky blue eyes. I’m a sucker for minority characters so this was an instant plus for me.

This book is a must-read for audiences of all ages. It’s full of warmth and meaning that can be interpreted in many different ways. Each reader will find their own favorite parts and their own memorable moments within the lines of this wonderfully written piece. Not only is it well-written but it’s also well-edited. I don’t think I found single mistake while I read which made it all the more enjoyable. You will love this book right from the start.

*I received a free copy of Empty Fists in exchange for an honest review*

[Rajalakshmi Prithviraj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Empty fists have nothing within them, some say. But for me, they are generally filled with hope. Read an anthology of stories by Mangalam Shiva.

The theme for each story was based on important issues. Each plot is relevant in today's social scenario. Dowry, neglect, abuse, you name it and it was there. A segment was narrated through the eyes of a dog, which is a novel concept. Characters chosen were Indians and could be easily associated with.

Yet, there was something amiss. The author attempts to highlight social issues- great, but narration was a big let down. It got repetitive in some places. The tone of narration was monotonous with the tendency to get misconstrued as advisory rather than story. The choice of words lent an impersonal touch to it. Also, Chapter numbering or changes in scenes within a story were confusing at times. The concept were good but characters were not very strong to be able to leave a lasting imprint on the readers' mind.

I read once, and took a real long break before I read it again. Sadly, its impact was the same. I truly wished that the author had tried getting a good editor, maybe then the choice of words and language would have been more appealing. The same stories, had they been translated into Tamil or any other Indian language, would have enhanced narration. I would have given it a three or four stars but the narration and language usage were a serious letdown. Also, the books I have rated three or four stars are way too superior to this anthology in terms of language and character portrayals. It is definitely unintentional (I am sure no author would knowingly do it) but inspite of the author putting in his best efforts, there are missing elements. I really felt helpless when giving it two stars, but narration was not powerful enough to match up to the issues being highlighted. Not that I possess thorough knowledge of Her Majesty's language, yet, my assessment is on the basis of my understanding only.

To sum up, the anthology is readable at least once, especially for the relevant social themes they address. To reiterate, the themes chosen for each story are powerful, but sadly, the narrative style was bit of a disappointment.

P.S- Being an optimist, I am sure, the next attempt would definitely be way ahead of this book. As is said, where there is a will, there is a way.

[Katie-bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Empty Fists by Mangalam Shiva is a a collection of stories that focus on different characters, each effected by various, and often darker, aspects of life from exploit and ecstasy, to greed and raw emotion. One such character, and my personal favourite, is that of a dog named Raju who shows us his world through his eyes. This is something I have rarely seen portrayed and certainly never in this way. I really enjoyed it! It was a compliment of appreciation towards something other than ourselves and I believe it proves why dogs are 'man's best friend'. (Though I won't give too much away; you'll have to read it).

I did find that the book requires an edit in order to amp up the pace and smooth out the flow of the stories which takes away from the overall enjoyment of the collection somewhat. But the emotion and raw passion of life and all its various layers, both bone-crushingly painful and deeply loving, create a potentially wonderful book well worth reading and experiencing for yourself. It may just open your eyes!

[Saradia Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Empty Fists is a collection of short stories that tackle multiple themes but the primary focus of the stories is on the difficulties faced by women in their daily lives. Many women are ostracized and exploited in today's world in spite of the progress of civilization. The stories in this collection highlight the struggles and tragedies in the lives of women while also venturing to portray the desires, failures, agony and ecstasy which are part of human existence.

I liked most of the stories. They have a lot of depth and emotions are expressed brilliantly. The author has a good grip on language though at times he uses unnecessary adjectives and that affects the flow of the story. I was particularly impressed with the story about a stray dog and how the dog understands the things that happen around him. This unique point of view surprised me pleasantly. These stories need attention not just because they are commendable pieces of literary fiction, but also because they expose the dark side of society defined by oppression and violence.

[Jessica Lewandowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mangalam Shiva’s fictional short stories really tug at your heart. I wanted to cry several times! They are difficult stories, though some are sweet and heartwarming, but mostly you will find the tragic hardships that some of these characters have to face.

‘Empty Fists’ will make you look at life a little differently and perhaps find yourself being more grateful for the blessings in your own life. There may even be many people who could learn valuable life lessons through the pain and hardships that the characters of this book face.

[Bookswithavinish · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Empty Fists' by Mangalam Shiva is a compelling anthology of short stories that delves into the complexities of human emotions, ambitions, and the harsh realities of life. The collection brings together a range of characters - each facing a moment of reckoning that challenges their beliefs, aspirations, or sense of security. Through these deeply personal yet universally resonant narratives, Shiva explores themes of loss, ambition, resilience, and the search for meaning in adversity.

One of the most striking themes in "Empty Fists" is the seemingly randomness of suffering. The opening lines echo the please of someone who has lived a sincere, righteous life yet faces cruel misfortune. This existential question "Why me?" - reverberated throughout the collection, showing how life's unpredictability spares no one, regardless of their goodness or devotion.

In one story, a man on his deathbed reflects on a life spent chasing financial success in the U.S, only to realise that material wealth has left him emotionally bankrupt. This serves as a critique of the modern obsession with success, emphasizing that money alone cannot provide fulfillment of genuine human connection.

Shiva's storytelling is both evocative and accessible, making the narratives deeply immersive. The characters feel real, their struggles relatable, and their emotions raw. The brevity of the short story format works well, as each tale delivers a powerful punch without unnecessary embellishments. The author's ability to create such emotional depth in a few pages speaks to their skill in crafting compelling fiction.

"Empty Fists" is a thought-provoking and emotional intense collection that shines a light on the struggles of everyday people. It forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about life, success and fate while offering glimpses of human resilience. Fans of contemporary literary fiction, especially those who appreciates introspective and socially relevant themes, will find much to reflect on this anthology.

A powerful and poignant collection, though some readers may find the themes heavy and the stories emotionally intense.

Must read♥️♥️

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. A Contemporary Exploration of Human Struggles

Empty Fists is a modern anthology that examines the lives of individuals grappling with profound challenges.

Through a variety of narratives, the book delves into universal themes such as suffering, resilience, ambition, and self-reflection.

Each story presents a unique perspective on life, inviting readers to connect with the characters’ emotions and dilemmas.

2. Diverse and Relatable Characters

The anthology features a wide range of characters, each with their own compelling story:

The Software Professional: A woman leading a charmed life is devastated by a brutal incident, forcing her to question her faith and existence.

The Wealthy Yet Empty Man: A man on his deathbed reflects on a life spent chasing material success, realizing it left him emotionally and spiritually void.

The Ambitious Journalist: A reporter on the cusp of realizing her dreams finds them slipping through her fingers, embodying the fragility of ambition.

The Beautiful Woman: A woman’s battle against unwanted male attention leads to shocking consequences, shedding light on the societal pressures women face.

3. Themes of Resilience and Inner Strength

The stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Each character’s journey is a testament to the strength required to confront life’s challenges and emerge stronger.

The anthology explores how individuals cope with suffering, loss, and shattered dreams, offering valuable insights into human endurance.

4. Universal Questions and Philosophical Depth

The narratives pose profound questions about life, such as:

Why does suffering happen to those who strive to do good?

What is the true measure of success and happiness?

How can one find meaning amidst chaos and despair?

These questions are woven seamlessly into the stories, encouraging readers to reflect on their own lives and choices.

5. Emotional and Thought-Provoking Storytelling

Mangalam Shiva’s writing is evocative and emotionally charged, capturing the characters’ struggles with authenticity and depth.