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Picture Imperfect and Other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries
Classic tales of crime detection featuring Byomkesh Bakshi, the master inquisitor. Written long before Satyajit Ray's Feluda series, Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries heralded a new era in Bengali popular fiction . Set in the old-world Kolkata, three stories featuring the astute investigator and his chronicler friend Ajit are still as gripping and delightful as when they first appeared.
Byomkesh's world, peopled with wonderfully delineated characters and framed by a brilliantly captured pre-Independence urban milieu, is fascinating because of its cotemporary flavour, In the first story, Byomkesh works undercover to expose an organized crime ring trafficking in drugs. In the 'Gramophone Pin Mystery', he must put his razor-sharp intellect to good used to unearth the pattern behind a series of bizarre roadside murders. In 'Clalamity Strikes', the ace detective is called upon to investigate the strange and sudden death of a girl in a neighbour's kitchen, In the next story, he has to lock horns with an old enemy who has vowed to kill him with an innocuous but deadly weapon. And, in ' Picture Imperfect', Byomkesh unravels a complex mystery involving a stolen group photograph, an amorous couple, and an apparently unnecessary murder.
Byomkesh's world, peopled with wonderfully delineated characters and framed by a brilliantly captured pre-Independence urban milieu, is fascinating because of its cotemporary flavour, In the first story, Byomkesh works undercover to expose an organized crime ring trafficking in drugs. In the 'Gramophone Pin Mystery', he must put his razor-sharp intellect to good used to unearth the pattern behind a series of bizarre roadside murders. In 'Clalamity Strikes', the ace detective is called upon to investigate the strange and sudden death of a girl in a neighbour's kitchen, In the next story, he has to lock horns with an old enemy who has vowed to kill him with an innocuous but deadly weapon. And, in ' Picture Imperfect', Byomkesh unravels a complex mystery involving a stolen group photograph, an amorous couple, and an apparently unnecessary murder.
249 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
27 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
178 books440 followersSharadindu Bandyopadhyay (Bengali: শরদিন্দু বন্দোপাধ্যায়; 30 March 1899 – 22 September 1970) was a well-known literary figure of Bengal. He was also actively involved with Bengali cinema as well as Bollywood. His most famous creation is the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi.
He wrote different forms of prose: novels, short stories, plays and screenplays. However, his forte was short stories and novels. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, GourMollar (initially named as Mouri Nodir Teere), Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere (all novels), Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha (later made into a Hindi film named Trishangni) and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he wrote many songs and poems.
Awards: 'Rabindra Puraskar' in 1967 for the novel 'Tungabhadrar Tirey'. 'Sarat Smriti Purashkar' in 1967 by Calcutta University.
He wrote different forms of prose: novels, short stories, plays and screenplays. However, his forte was short stories and novels. He wrote historical fiction like Kaler Mandira, GourMollar (initially named as Mouri Nodir Teere), Tumi Sandhyar Megh, Tungabhadrar Teere (all novels), Chuya-Chandan, Maru O Sangha (later made into a Hindi film named Trishangni) and stories of the unnatural with the recurring character Baroda. Besides, he wrote many songs and poems.
Awards: 'Rabindra Puraskar' in 1967 for the novel 'Tungabhadrar Tirey'. 'Sarat Smriti Purashkar' in 1967 by Calcutta University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 24, 2023
Seven Byomkesh Bakshi stories have been translated in this collection by Sreejata Guha. The stories in this collection include:
The Inquisitor
The Gramophone Pin Mystery
The Venom of the Tarantula
Where there’s a will
Calamity Strikes
An Encore for Byomkesh
Picture Imperfect
This is the first time that these timeless classics have been translated in English. All the seven stories have been translated with great care ensuring the period setting and the cultural nuances are well preserved. A must read for any Byomkesh fan; we get to see how he first meets Ajit in The Inquisitor. We also find the details of Byomkesh’s first meeting with his would-be wife- Satyabati in Where there’s a will. Timeless classics in appeal there is no flamboyance but it is the simplicity and the sharp insight of Byomkesh that makes each story engrossing read.
The Inquisitor
The Gramophone Pin Mystery
The Venom of the Tarantula
Where there’s a will
Calamity Strikes
An Encore for Byomkesh
Picture Imperfect
This is the first time that these timeless classics have been translated in English. All the seven stories have been translated with great care ensuring the period setting and the cultural nuances are well preserved. A must read for any Byomkesh fan; we get to see how he first meets Ajit in The Inquisitor. We also find the details of Byomkesh’s first meeting with his would-be wife- Satyabati in Where there’s a will. Timeless classics in appeal there is no flamboyance but it is the simplicity and the sharp insight of Byomkesh that makes each story engrossing read.
February 13, 2013
I bought this book for reliving the sheer thrill of those good old days when serial such as Byomkesh Bakshi used to be shown on DD and were the staple diet for growing kids like me.
The translation of stories from Bangla is quite lucid and keeps the tension and uncertainity of the TV serial intact.
Those who are familiar with Kolkata and Bengali culture in general can relate to the various places and situations mentioned in the book.
I hope more such translations of this hidden gem are undertaken in near future so that kids nowadays can come to know that our very own home grown Byomkeshda was at par if not better than Mr Holmes of 221B Baker Street.
The translation of stories from Bangla is quite lucid and keeps the tension and uncertainity of the TV serial intact.
Those who are familiar with Kolkata and Bengali culture in general can relate to the various places and situations mentioned in the book.
I hope more such translations of this hidden gem are undertaken in near future so that kids nowadays can come to know that our very own home grown Byomkeshda was at par if not better than Mr Holmes of 221B Baker Street.
May 4, 2019
Good detective stories. Enjoyable.
October 6, 2019
This is the first book I read for Diverse Detectives Month (Or rather the first three books :))
I decided to start with a book which had a collection of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. After finishing one book, I decided to read another and then another. I think there are only three translated collections of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries in English. Now I have read them all. The three books I read were 'Picture Imperfect', 'The Menagerie' and 'The Rhythm of Riddles'. The first two were translated by Sreejata Guha, who was probably the first to translate Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries into English twenty years back, and then continued translating other Bengali classics into English. The third book was translated by Arunava Sinha, who is the current doyen of Bengali-English translators. The first book had seven stories, the second one four, and the third one three – that is fourteen stories in all. The first collection mostly had stories from the first part of Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's career, from 1932 to 1937. The second collection had stories from the second part of his career, from 1952 onwards. The last story in the second collection was written in 1967.
Byomkesh Bakshi was one of the first Indian fictional detectives. The first Byomkesh Bakshi mystery appeared in 1932 and the last one in 1969. There was a break of fifteen years between 1937 and 1952, when Saradindu Bandyopadhyay went to write screenplays for Bollywood, but he came back and continued from where he left off. While reading the stories, it is hard not to spot similarities between Byomkesh and Sherlock Holmes – the way the character gets introduced first, the way the narrator Ajit and Byomkesh become roommates. There is even a police officer similar to Lestrade who creates problems for Byomkesh. Sometimes, Byomkesh wakes up Ajit in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, to go out on a mission. He doesn't say, "Wake up, Ajit! The game is afoot!" though. However, as we read more stories, we discover that the two series diverge, because Byomkesh and his friend Ajit are quintessentially Indian and Bengali. In many stories, at some point we can make a list of suspects, and typically the culprit is one of them. But it is hard to guess who. Saradindu Bandyopadhyay almost never cheats by bringing an unknown character from outside the main cast and declaring he / she is the culprit. Which us a wonderful thing. There are beautiful, humorous passages in many of the stories, and though things get lost in translation (which is one of the essential aspects of humour, that it gets lost in translation), the humour typically peeps out through the translated English sentences and is a pleasure to read.
Some of the stories in the book are short, but others are long, while some approach the length of a novella. I liked the stories from both the time periods, but I think I liked the longer stories more than the shorter ones. In one story, which runs to more than a hundred pages, called 'The Quills of the Porcupine', Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit come only in the beginning and in the end. The middle, which is the biggest part of the story, features a young couple who are newly married, and describes how their relationship evolves. If we remove the mystery aspect of the story, it almost reads like the story told in one of my favourite Tamil movies, 'Mouna Ragam'. I wonder whether Maniratnam just lifted Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's story (maybe from its film adaptation), made some changes to it and called it 'Mouna Ragam'. If that is true, then it will be one more case of a famous Tamil movie being a copycat of another. I feel sad just contemplating on it. The longest story in the book is 'The Menagerie', which runs to more than 150 pages. It has a complex plot with many murders and suspects and an ending which is hard to guess. It was made into a famous movie by Satyajit Ray, and I want to watch that sometime.
I enjoyed reading these three Byomkesh Bakshi mystery collections. It was interesting to read about India of a different time, and about this famous detective, or truth-seeker as he called himself, and how he discovered the truth about strange happenings, and how he brought bad guys to book, with a little help from friends. There is an acclaimed TV adaptation of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories starring Rajat Kapoor. I think I have watched one or two episodes of it. I hope to watch it properly one of these days.
Have you read Byomkesh Bakshi stories? What do you think about them? Which ones are your favourites?
I decided to start with a book which had a collection of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries. After finishing one book, I decided to read another and then another. I think there are only three translated collections of Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries in English. Now I have read them all. The three books I read were 'Picture Imperfect', 'The Menagerie' and 'The Rhythm of Riddles'. The first two were translated by Sreejata Guha, who was probably the first to translate Byomkesh Bakshi mysteries into English twenty years back, and then continued translating other Bengali classics into English. The third book was translated by Arunava Sinha, who is the current doyen of Bengali-English translators. The first book had seven stories, the second one four, and the third one three – that is fourteen stories in all. The first collection mostly had stories from the first part of Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's career, from 1932 to 1937. The second collection had stories from the second part of his career, from 1952 onwards. The last story in the second collection was written in 1967.
Byomkesh Bakshi was one of the first Indian fictional detectives. The first Byomkesh Bakshi mystery appeared in 1932 and the last one in 1969. There was a break of fifteen years between 1937 and 1952, when Saradindu Bandyopadhyay went to write screenplays for Bollywood, but he came back and continued from where he left off. While reading the stories, it is hard not to spot similarities between Byomkesh and Sherlock Holmes – the way the character gets introduced first, the way the narrator Ajit and Byomkesh become roommates. There is even a police officer similar to Lestrade who creates problems for Byomkesh. Sometimes, Byomkesh wakes up Ajit in the middle of the night, or early in the morning, to go out on a mission. He doesn't say, "Wake up, Ajit! The game is afoot!" though. However, as we read more stories, we discover that the two series diverge, because Byomkesh and his friend Ajit are quintessentially Indian and Bengali. In many stories, at some point we can make a list of suspects, and typically the culprit is one of them. But it is hard to guess who. Saradindu Bandyopadhyay almost never cheats by bringing an unknown character from outside the main cast and declaring he / she is the culprit. Which us a wonderful thing. There are beautiful, humorous passages in many of the stories, and though things get lost in translation (which is one of the essential aspects of humour, that it gets lost in translation), the humour typically peeps out through the translated English sentences and is a pleasure to read.
Some of the stories in the book are short, but others are long, while some approach the length of a novella. I liked the stories from both the time periods, but I think I liked the longer stories more than the shorter ones. In one story, which runs to more than a hundred pages, called 'The Quills of the Porcupine', Byomkesh Bakshi and Ajit come only in the beginning and in the end. The middle, which is the biggest part of the story, features a young couple who are newly married, and describes how their relationship evolves. If we remove the mystery aspect of the story, it almost reads like the story told in one of my favourite Tamil movies, 'Mouna Ragam'. I wonder whether Maniratnam just lifted Saradindu Bandyopadhyay's story (maybe from its film adaptation), made some changes to it and called it 'Mouna Ragam'. If that is true, then it will be one more case of a famous Tamil movie being a copycat of another. I feel sad just contemplating on it. The longest story in the book is 'The Menagerie', which runs to more than 150 pages. It has a complex plot with many murders and suspects and an ending which is hard to guess. It was made into a famous movie by Satyajit Ray, and I want to watch that sometime.
I enjoyed reading these three Byomkesh Bakshi mystery collections. It was interesting to read about India of a different time, and about this famous detective, or truth-seeker as he called himself, and how he discovered the truth about strange happenings, and how he brought bad guys to book, with a little help from friends. There is an acclaimed TV adaptation of the Byomkesh Bakshi stories starring Rajat Kapoor. I think I have watched one or two episodes of it. I hope to watch it properly one of these days.
Have you read Byomkesh Bakshi stories? What do you think about them? Which ones are your favourites?
June 27, 2020
I absolutely loved this collection of mysteries about Byomkesh Bakshi! Not only were the stories engaging, and quite charming, I felt that I learned a number of new things about Indian life! I had my phone right next to me so that I could look up the meanings of a number of words that I wasn't familiar with, from food to housing.
I am most appreciative to a dear friend from India who sent me this copy. I will be looking for more Byomkesh mysteries soon!
I am most appreciative to a dear friend from India who sent me this copy. I will be looking for more Byomkesh mysteries soon!
July 3, 2025
After watching a few episodes of Byomkesh on OTT recently, I felt compelled to pick up the first book in the Byomkesh Bakshi mystery series (I had already read the second one earlier this year).
Set against a vividly evoked pre-Independence urban backdrop, the stories are populated with sharply drawn characters and infused with a modern sensibility that keeps them feeling fresh even today. In the opening story, Byomkesh goes undercover to dismantle a drug trafficking network. In The Gramophone Pin Mystery, his razor-sharp intellect is tested as he investigates a series of strange roadside murders. Calamity Strikes sees him probing the mysterious and sudden death of a young girl in a neighbor’s kitchen. In another tale, he must face off against a cunning old adversary who threatens his life using a seemingly harmless but lethal weapon. Finally, Picture Imperfect weaves a complex narrative around a stolen group photograph, a passionate love affair, and a murder that initially appears completely unnecessary.
If you enjoy deduction-driven mysteries with a strong sense of time and place, this collection is bound to keep you hooked. A must-read for classic detective fiction fans.
Set against a vividly evoked pre-Independence urban backdrop, the stories are populated with sharply drawn characters and infused with a modern sensibility that keeps them feeling fresh even today. In the opening story, Byomkesh goes undercover to dismantle a drug trafficking network. In The Gramophone Pin Mystery, his razor-sharp intellect is tested as he investigates a series of strange roadside murders. Calamity Strikes sees him probing the mysterious and sudden death of a young girl in a neighbor’s kitchen. In another tale, he must face off against a cunning old adversary who threatens his life using a seemingly harmless but lethal weapon. Finally, Picture Imperfect weaves a complex narrative around a stolen group photograph, a passionate love affair, and a murder that initially appears completely unnecessary.
If you enjoy deduction-driven mysteries with a strong sense of time and place, this collection is bound to keep you hooked. A must-read for classic detective fiction fans.
March 22, 2022
Vintage mysteries, ingenious and very much in the golden age mode, with the added attraction of the portrayal of life in Calcutta in the 30s and 40s. Byomkesh Bakshi is a worthy Indian peer of Holmes, Dupin, Poirot and Marple.
April 26, 2015
Le doy 4 estrellas por una mezcla de "factor nostalgia" más "me he entretenido muchísimo leyéndolo". El libro es una compilación de ocho relatos cortos protagonizados por el detective Byomkesh Bakshi y que tienen el sabor de las historias clásicas de Conan Doyle. De hecho, a Byomkesh Bakshi se le suele llamar el Sherlock Holmes hindú. Solo que a mí Byomkesh-babu me cae mejor que Holmes: es más abierto, más amable, menos arrogante y trata mejor a su ayudante Ajit (que es quien narra la historia, como Watson). Y además, se hecha novia.
Los relatos nos narran las peripecias de Byomkesh -un Inquisidor, un Buscador de la Verdad- y su ayudante y narrador de la historia Ajit en la India de la primera mitad del siglo XX (preindependencia de la India, excepto el último relato, que se desarrolla tras la independencia). De hecho, la mayor parte de la acción se sucede en Calcuta, que era/es territorio bengalí. Así que las historias tienen un sabor clásico en cuanto a los misterios, pero desarrollándose en un escenario exótico. Los casos se narran de forma ágil y divertida, y muchas veces el lector es capaz de adivinar al sospechoso o lo que ocurrió al mismo tiempo que el detective, si bien en bastantes ocasiones el móvil es desconocido. Esto puede ser un problema para la gente que prefiere los puzles muy complejos o intrincados, pero a mí me ha gustado. Me hacía sentir inteligente. De hecho, este libro es ideal para iniciar a los chavales en el género, porque se divertirán al tiempo que se sentirán detectives de verdad.
En definitiva, este libro contiene una serie de misterios clásicos en los que aparecerán cárteles de la droga, traiciones, celos, codicia... todo en la mejor tradición de Conan Doyle. La edición está bien, y me gusta la iniciativa de la editorial Quaterni de traer detectives o misterios detectivescos que se desarrollan en países exóticos. También me gusta que como título eligieran el del "caso del veneno de la tarántula", porque me pareció muy divertido.
Los relatos nos narran las peripecias de Byomkesh -un Inquisidor, un Buscador de la Verdad- y su ayudante y narrador de la historia Ajit en la India de la primera mitad del siglo XX (preindependencia de la India, excepto el último relato, que se desarrolla tras la independencia). De hecho, la mayor parte de la acción se sucede en Calcuta, que era/es territorio bengalí. Así que las historias tienen un sabor clásico en cuanto a los misterios, pero desarrollándose en un escenario exótico. Los casos se narran de forma ágil y divertida, y muchas veces el lector es capaz de adivinar al sospechoso o lo que ocurrió al mismo tiempo que el detective, si bien en bastantes ocasiones el móvil es desconocido. Esto puede ser un problema para la gente que prefiere los puzles muy complejos o intrincados, pero a mí me ha gustado. Me hacía sentir inteligente. De hecho, este libro es ideal para iniciar a los chavales en el género, porque se divertirán al tiempo que se sentirán detectives de verdad.
En definitiva, este libro contiene una serie de misterios clásicos en los que aparecerán cárteles de la droga, traiciones, celos, codicia... todo en la mejor tradición de Conan Doyle. La edición está bien, y me gusta la iniciativa de la editorial Quaterni de traer detectives o misterios detectivescos que se desarrollan en países exóticos. También me gusta que como título eligieran el del "caso del veneno de la tarántula", porque me pareció muy divertido.
November 20, 2011
Among the many mystery books that I have read, I will rank Byomkesh Bakshi at par with Sherlock Holmes. The problem, the pursuit of the solution and Byomkesh's ability to come up with the answer is completely mesmerizing. As the translator as perfectly said in the forward, Byomkesh Bakshi portrays the picture of middle class Bengali youth before and after Independence perfectly. Byomkesh and Ajit definitely is a pair like Holmes and Dr. Watson but in many ways quite different also. Byoemkesh is not Sherlock Holmes in the sense that he is capable of very human emotions and logic doesn't overtake him like Holmes. But his uncanny ability to observe, hide under pseudonyms and follow the perpetrator is just as praiseworthy as Holmes.
I watched the television show when I was in school. This book took me back to the memory lane. Though all the stories in this book are already made into TV show episodes, the charm is nonetheless same. I enjoyed reading Byomkesh's adventures and hope everyone will too!
I watched the television show when I was in school. This book took me back to the memory lane. Though all the stories in this book are already made into TV show episodes, the charm is nonetheless same. I enjoyed reading Byomkesh's adventures and hope everyone will too!
September 9, 2024
The Inquisitor - 3.7/5
The Gramofone pin mystery - 4/5
The Venom of Tarantula - 3.9/5
Where there's a will - 3.6/5
Calamity Strikes - 3.9/5
An Encore for Byomkesh - 4.1/5
Picture Imperfect - 4.5/5
The Gramofone pin mystery - 4/5
The Venom of Tarantula - 3.9/5
Where there's a will - 3.6/5
Calamity Strikes - 3.9/5
An Encore for Byomkesh - 4.1/5
Picture Imperfect - 4.5/5
April 11, 2020
This translated book contains the first few stories of Byomkesh with the first one 'The Inquisitor' introducing the detective and his accomplice (Ajit) to the readers. One also comes across the event which leads Byomkesh to meet his wife, Satyaboti, in one of the seven short mysteries. Notable ones are The Gramaphone Pin Mystery, The Venom of the Tarantula and Calamity Strikes.
June 11, 2025
Bengali mystery stories from the 1930's. What's not to like? I mean, the stories could suck, I guess, but even then it would be an opportunity to sample a mystery tradition that most genre fans are probably totally unaware of, and who'd say no to that?
Fortunately, the stories are mostly pretty good, so the whole thing is rather moot. I don't think Bandyopadhyay ever went on record about his inspirations, but the first few stories ooze Sherlock Holmes. The eccentric detective living with his chronicler roommate (Bandyopadhyay got around the oddness of many such series by going ahead and making his narrator, Ajit, a professional writer who made his living writing about his friend). Byomkesh's penchant for disguises. Some scenes and dialogue—the opening of “Calamity Strikes” is clearly reminiscent of “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans.” Echoes of “The Adventure of the Dying Detective” in “An Encore for Byomkesh.” But, first of all, I like Holmes, so it's fine. And second-of-all, Bandyopadhyay manages to distinguish Byomkesh pretty quickly from his progenitor. He's in the mold, yes, but he breaks it in several ways, coming across as far more human. I'd have to remind myself of them—it's been a while—but I don't think Holmes ever hangs out socially with people the way Byomkesh does in the final story, never mind getting married.
These stories gain additional interest from the setting. Writing as a Bengali author for a presumably Bengali audience (his works were not translated into English until after his death), Bandyopadhyay might have been bemused to have his works discussed from that point of view, but for a modern Western reader, it offers an accessible view of a time and place I otherwise know very little about.
The stories are published mostly in chronological order, but a few are missing, presumably because they're already available in “Byomkesh Bakshi Stories.”
Touching on the individual stories briefly:
“The Inquisitor” is a little weird; it feels like it's aiming for a twist, since Byomkesh is introduced in disguise, but it begins “my first meeting with Byomkesh Bakshi took place in the spring of 1925” so it's not trying to hide it, really. The killer is the only person it could possibly be—another trope we see frequently in the Holmes canon, and one I wouldn't have objected to Bandyopadhyay ditching.
“The Gramophone Pin Mystery” is incredibly pulpy, and I'm genuinely not sure if the ending is supposed to surprise the reader, it's so telegraphed. “Pulpy” isn't an insult in this context; one of the most famous Holmes stories has a man using venomous snakes as a murder weapon, for heaven's sake.
“The Venom of the Tarantula” is where things really perk up for me; it's funny, but also very humane in its opening, where Bakshi brushes off someone who wants help stopping an old man from accessing drugs and is properly rebuked: “It certainly isn’t right to bother you with such trivial matters. But, you know, if this mystery could be solved, perhaps the man’s life could be saved. What can be more frustrating than watching a man—albeit a sinner—die a slow death right before your eyes, simply by consuming poison?’”
“Where There's a Will” introduces Bakshi's wife to be; the mystery's fine, and Bakshi comes across as endearingly goofy as he establishes that Ajit, being older than him by a full three months, is far to decrepit to consider courting her himself.
“Calamity Strikes” commits a mortal sin as a mystery story (mostly joking, although Ronald Knox explicitly bars such contrivances in his famous Decalogue). Whatever its vices as a detective story, it's an effective story of human drama.
“An Encore for Byomkesh” is more pulp. Not an insult, again, although Byomkesh comes across as remarkably obtuse in the early pages, and his grand pronouncement that most of his enemies are dead raises more questions than it answers. Does he only investigate capital crimes? Because in an earlier story he talks about investigating a forger.
“Picture Imperfect” has a pretty goofy solution, and is a little rambling—the red herrings feel like they get a little too much time in a story that's just a little too long. But it's elevated by the human touches; Byomkesh squabbles with his wife because he's recovering from an illness and can't smoke. His wife gallantly tries to show gender solidarity with their neighbor's wife, but discovers that she is, in fact, awful. It never becomes a comedy, quite, but it's probably the lightest story in the collection, after “The Venom of the Tarantula.” The insights into the time and place are interesting (there's a girl who was widowed at age fourteen, two days after her marriage, and it's a major question whether she'll be able to remarry of if that's it for her). It must be said that the usual humanistic tone of these stories breaks down with the aforementioned neighbor's wife--there's a genuinely pretty shocking line where Byomkesh openly hopes that an illness she's suffering from will prove fatal and release her husband from her which felt deeply at odds with the rest of this book.
In all, although I can't claim to love every story in the collection--really only two of them, “The Venom of the Tarantula” for its humor and humanity, “Calamity Strikes” for its pathos--it scratches an itch that's otherwise hard to scratch. I've read the Holmes canon many times, and my delving into pastiche has been largely disappointing, while many stories and series that people claim are Holmes-inspired (such as Arthur Morrison's Martin Hewitt) feel totally dissimilar. Written in a tradition I enjoy, but with the courage to strike out in its own directions, and the extra interest derived from an unfamiliar setting, I will be reading more of this author in the future.
Fortunately, the stories are mostly pretty good, so the whole thing is rather moot. I don't think Bandyopadhyay ever went on record about his inspirations, but the first few stories ooze Sherlock Holmes. The eccentric detective living with his chronicler roommate (Bandyopadhyay got around the oddness of many such series by going ahead and making his narrator, Ajit, a professional writer who made his living writing about his friend). Byomkesh's penchant for disguises. Some scenes and dialogue—the opening of “Calamity Strikes” is clearly reminiscent of “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans.” Echoes of “The Adventure of the Dying Detective” in “An Encore for Byomkesh.” But, first of all, I like Holmes, so it's fine. And second-of-all, Bandyopadhyay manages to distinguish Byomkesh pretty quickly from his progenitor. He's in the mold, yes, but he breaks it in several ways, coming across as far more human. I'd have to remind myself of them—it's been a while—but I don't think Holmes ever hangs out socially with people the way Byomkesh does in the final story, never mind getting married.
These stories gain additional interest from the setting. Writing as a Bengali author for a presumably Bengali audience (his works were not translated into English until after his death), Bandyopadhyay might have been bemused to have his works discussed from that point of view, but for a modern Western reader, it offers an accessible view of a time and place I otherwise know very little about.
The stories are published mostly in chronological order, but a few are missing, presumably because they're already available in “Byomkesh Bakshi Stories.”
Touching on the individual stories briefly:
“The Inquisitor” is a little weird; it feels like it's aiming for a twist, since Byomkesh is introduced in disguise, but it begins “my first meeting with Byomkesh Bakshi took place in the spring of 1925” so it's not trying to hide it, really. The killer is the only person it could possibly be—another trope we see frequently in the Holmes canon, and one I wouldn't have objected to Bandyopadhyay ditching.
“The Gramophone Pin Mystery” is incredibly pulpy, and I'm genuinely not sure if the ending is supposed to surprise the reader, it's so telegraphed. “Pulpy” isn't an insult in this context; one of the most famous Holmes stories has a man using venomous snakes as a murder weapon, for heaven's sake.
“The Venom of the Tarantula” is where things really perk up for me; it's funny, but also very humane in its opening, where Bakshi brushes off someone who wants help stopping an old man from accessing drugs and is properly rebuked: “It certainly isn’t right to bother you with such trivial matters. But, you know, if this mystery could be solved, perhaps the man’s life could be saved. What can be more frustrating than watching a man—albeit a sinner—die a slow death right before your eyes, simply by consuming poison?’”
“Where There's a Will” introduces Bakshi's wife to be; the mystery's fine, and Bakshi comes across as endearingly goofy as he establishes that Ajit, being older than him by a full three months, is far to decrepit to consider courting her himself.
“Calamity Strikes” commits a mortal sin as a mystery story (mostly joking, although Ronald Knox explicitly bars such contrivances in his famous Decalogue). Whatever its vices as a detective story, it's an effective story of human drama.
“An Encore for Byomkesh” is more pulp. Not an insult, again, although Byomkesh comes across as remarkably obtuse in the early pages, and his grand pronouncement that most of his enemies are dead raises more questions than it answers. Does he only investigate capital crimes? Because in an earlier story he talks about investigating a forger.
“Picture Imperfect” has a pretty goofy solution, and is a little rambling—the red herrings feel like they get a little too much time in a story that's just a little too long. But it's elevated by the human touches; Byomkesh squabbles with his wife because he's recovering from an illness and can't smoke. His wife gallantly tries to show gender solidarity with their neighbor's wife, but discovers that she is, in fact, awful. It never becomes a comedy, quite, but it's probably the lightest story in the collection, after “The Venom of the Tarantula.” The insights into the time and place are interesting (there's a girl who was widowed at age fourteen, two days after her marriage, and it's a major question whether she'll be able to remarry of if that's it for her). It must be said that the usual humanistic tone of these stories breaks down with the aforementioned neighbor's wife--there's a genuinely pretty shocking line where Byomkesh openly hopes that an illness she's suffering from will prove fatal and release her husband from her which felt deeply at odds with the rest of this book.
In all, although I can't claim to love every story in the collection--really only two of them, “The Venom of the Tarantula” for its humor and humanity, “Calamity Strikes” for its pathos--it scratches an itch that's otherwise hard to scratch. I've read the Holmes canon many times, and my delving into pastiche has been largely disappointing, while many stories and series that people claim are Holmes-inspired (such as Arthur Morrison's Martin Hewitt) feel totally dissimilar. Written in a tradition I enjoy, but with the courage to strike out in its own directions, and the extra interest derived from an unfamiliar setting, I will be reading more of this author in the future.
July 27, 2017
The best tale was kept until the last - Picture Imperfect. Shows the authors growing grasp of the genre and increased complexity of the plotting. I enjoyed this book and if I come across more in this series I will buy them.
July 21, 2013
They have tea multiple times in each story. I WANT TO HAVE TEA IN KOLKATA ALL THROUGH THE DAY YAAR!
September 6, 2024
Representative of detective fiction in the Indian context - example of how an aloof and sociopathic detective wouldn't work very well in the societal structure we have.
December 4, 2023
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay, a maestro in the realm of mystery writing, weaves his genius into 'Picture Imperfect,' a compilation of seven intriguing stories translated into English. While the stories hold no sequential connection, it's recommended to commence with the first, 'Picture Imperfect,' to grasp the essence of the protagonist, Byomkesh Bakshi, and his companion Ajit.
Exploring Diverse Mysteries:
Each story delves into a distinct mystery—be it death, theft, or smuggling—beckoning Byomkesh and Ajit to uncover the concealed truths. Bandyopadhyay cleverly integrates societal commentary and human behavior into the narratives, provoking thoughtful reflection.
A Glimpse into the Stories:
1. The first story, "The Inquisitive," serves as a captivating introduction to the central characters, Byomkesh Bakshi and his soon-to-be associate Ajit.
The narrative revolves around a mysterious case involving the smuggling of drugs intertwined with various murders.
The story not only establishes the investigative prowess of Byomkesh but also lays the foundation for the budding partnership with Ajit.
The intricate plot, coupled with the dynamic between the characters, sets a compelling tone for the series.
2. The Grammar Surrounding Murder: An intriguing tale with two seemingly unrelated events converging, although a potential for an alternative ending is pondered.
3. The Venom of Tarantula: A compelling case involving a drug-addicted elderly man under constant surveillance, enticing readers to deduce the smuggling method.
4. Where There's a Will: A classic family dispute ensues after the murder of a wealthy man with no direct heirs.
5. Calamity Strikes: "Calamity Strikes" unfolds as a compelling narrative delving into the mysterious death of a young girl.
The intrigue deepens as the murder weapon remains elusive, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.
Byomkesh Bakshi's analytical mind is put to the test as he navigates the enigma surrounding the untraceable weapon, making it a riveting and puzzling tale within the collection.
6. A Connection to Calamity Strikes: The sixth story ingeniously follows the trail of the murder weapon introduced in the previous narrative.
As the plot thickens, Byomkesh Bakshi encounters an old adversary, injecting a sense of rivalry and intrigue into the storyline.
This interconnected tale adds depth to the overall narrative, weaving a web of suspense and engaging the reader in Byomkesh's relentless pursuit of truth.
7. Picture Imperfect (Chitra Chor): provides a captivating glimpse into Byomkesh's personal life. While seemingly centered on a trivial mystery—a stolen picture—it unravels layers of complexity.
This narrative not only deepens our understanding of Byomkesh but also introduces a different dimension to his character, portraying him as a normal man facing challenges within the realm of regular life.
The stolen picture becomes a symbolic puzzle that Byomkesh tackles with his characteristic astuteness, making this story a unique and compelling addition to the collection.
Craftsmanship in Character Building:
Bandyopadhyay employs a masterful 'show not tell' technique, revealing character traits through subtle actions and behaviors. The sparse description of the physical environment adds to the suspense, indicating every detail is a crucial clue.
Final Reflections:
While some endings may seem overly simplistic, providing room for alternative conclusions, the overall craftsmanship and plot intricacies make 'picture Imperfect' a compelling read.
The narrative continually challenges readers to unravel mysteries, question character motives, and contemplate the intricacies of human behavior.
In essence, 'Imperfect' is a captivating exploration of mysteries, society, and the brilliant mind of Detective Byomkesh Bakshi."
March 2, 2024
(Average Rating: 3.85, let's round it up to 4)
I'm gonna rate each story properly
1. The Inquisitor - Fast paced, good introduction, VERY OBVIOUS reveal. 3/5
2. Gramophone Pin Mystery - The reveal, once again, is very obvious. However the amazing story and the pace makes me want to rate it higher. 4/5
3. The Venom of the Tarantula - Again, a simply solved mystery, but I intend to rate this one highly due to the style of writing: most authors every now and then fill the story up with fillers, Mr. Bandyopadhyay isn't like most authors. He probably recognized that he had a good story in mind, but decided not to ramble about it, making it concise, succinct and alot of fun. 5/5
4. Where there's a will - Could not deduce the culprit this time. However the only story I'm slightly disappointed with. The premise was great, the characters gave an Agatha Christie vibe but the mistake that the culprit made was just DUMB. Even a child would not make that mistake. Nevertheless, not a bad story. 2/5
5. Calamity Strikes - Extremely clichéd, obvious reveal, nothing too great about this story. Slightly emotional and it pulled at my heartstrings a bit so not dissing it. 2/5
6. An Encore for Byomkesh - This one was amazing! The reveal was really good and it really ties up with this collection. My only disclaimer is that this one is NOT A STANDALONE. So, to enjoy, nay understand, this short story, you need to have read all the first 5 (actually not all but I won't reveal the spoiler by pinpointing the ones) 5/5. Actually no 6/5.
7. The Picture Imperfect - Ending the collection with a bang! Good pace, many interesting characters and the reveal is spectacular. Couldn't guess the culprit until the end! 5/5
I'm gonna rate each story properly
1. The Inquisitor - Fast paced, good introduction, VERY OBVIOUS reveal. 3/5
2. Gramophone Pin Mystery - The reveal, once again, is very obvious. However the amazing story and the pace makes me want to rate it higher. 4/5
3. The Venom of the Tarantula - Again, a simply solved mystery, but I intend to rate this one highly due to the style of writing: most authors every now and then fill the story up with fillers, Mr. Bandyopadhyay isn't like most authors. He probably recognized that he had a good story in mind, but decided not to ramble about it, making it concise, succinct and alot of fun. 5/5
4. Where there's a will - Could not deduce the culprit this time. However the only story I'm slightly disappointed with. The premise was great, the characters gave an Agatha Christie vibe but the mistake that the culprit made was just DUMB. Even a child would not make that mistake. Nevertheless, not a bad story. 2/5
5. Calamity Strikes - Extremely clichéd, obvious reveal, nothing too great about this story. Slightly emotional and it pulled at my heartstrings a bit so not dissing it. 2/5
6. An Encore for Byomkesh - This one was amazing! The reveal was really good and it really ties up with this collection. My only disclaimer is that this one is NOT A STANDALONE. So, to enjoy, nay understand, this short story, you need to have read all the first 5 (actually not all but I won't reveal the spoiler by pinpointing the ones) 5/5. Actually no 6/5.
7. The Picture Imperfect - Ending the collection with a bang! Good pace, many interesting characters and the reveal is spectacular. Couldn't guess the culprit until the end! 5/5
September 8, 2024
3.5, rounded to 4.
A fun collection of stories centering Byomkesh Bakshi. Despite all of them featuring varying levels of stakes, I found them all entertaining, and the translation done well (the 'loss' the translator talks about is noticeable at times, but is a feature that has been nullified as well as can be done).
Despite the iffiness of the titular detective's and Ajit's thoughts and opinions surrounding women and remarriage, and Bandhyopadhyay's flat characterisation of women in general (though I loved Satyaboti, and wished she featured more heavily), they are all pretty much in line with the time period the stories were written in. To his credit, none of the mysteries heavily use the general characteristics of "Man" and "Woman" as the key to solving a case.
What keeps me from giving 5 stars to this read, however, is sometimes the solution becoming obvious before the closing section of a chapter owing to Ajit's extreme focus on something, creating a dissonance since he himself does not recognise its importance. While the frame narrative makes out the writing to be in hindsight, it nevertheless lessens the satisfaction of spotting the solution.
A fun collection of stories centering Byomkesh Bakshi. Despite all of them featuring varying levels of stakes, I found them all entertaining, and the translation done well (the 'loss' the translator talks about is noticeable at times, but is a feature that has been nullified as well as can be done).
Despite the iffiness of the titular detective's and Ajit's thoughts and opinions surrounding women and remarriage, and Bandhyopadhyay's flat characterisation of women in general (though I loved Satyaboti, and wished she featured more heavily), they are all pretty much in line with the time period the stories were written in. To his credit, none of the mysteries heavily use the general characteristics of "Man" and "Woman" as the key to solving a case.
What keeps me from giving 5 stars to this read, however, is sometimes the solution becoming obvious before the closing section of a chapter owing to Ajit's extreme focus on something, creating a dissonance since he himself does not recognise its importance. While the frame narrative makes out the writing to be in hindsight, it nevertheless lessens the satisfaction of spotting the solution.
November 29, 2019
Delectable stories. The selection of stories was good. We get to know how Byomkeshbabu gets to meet Ajitbabu and Satyaboti. Some stories even have links in subsequent stories, which only serves to tickle the senses even further. A very good companion to curl up on the bed with a tea on a cold and lazy afternoon.
I felt that Sreejeet Guha did a much better translation here than in her later work, 'The Menagerie and Other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries'. It felt that the translator tried to mirror the words of the author as closely as possible, which is always a commendable thing in translations, so the readers of the translated works can get as unadulterated stuff as possible.
A must read and more so if you're a fan of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.
I felt that Sreejeet Guha did a much better translation here than in her later work, 'The Menagerie and Other Byomkesh Bakshi Mysteries'. It felt that the translator tried to mirror the words of the author as closely as possible, which is always a commendable thing in translations, so the readers of the translated works can get as unadulterated stuff as possible.
A must read and more so if you're a fan of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.
July 20, 2021
As someone who grew up in Calcutta, I was always aware of Bhomkesh Bakshi, but it took the series on Doordarshan to finally introduce me to his stories. All these years, I never really looked for a translation, but when this book popped up as a recommendation, I immediately picked it up.
Wasn't disappointed. In his own way, Byomakesh Bakshi is no less than Sherlock Holmes, and it was nice trying to cross guess the stories. I succeeded in three of the stories, though I'm not sure if it was detection or memory.
An added bonus for me was the setting. It was a nostalgic trip too.
Wasn't disappointed. In his own way, Byomakesh Bakshi is no less than Sherlock Holmes, and it was nice trying to cross guess the stories. I succeeded in three of the stories, though I'm not sure if it was detection or memory.
An added bonus for me was the setting. It was a nostalgic trip too.
April 2, 2019
"Never Judge A Book By Its Cover"
This book was a gift and it stayed on my shelf unread for a year because the cover looks really boring and I also thought that this might be the old fashioned type BUT am so happy it proved me wrong..
The stories are based in a pre-independent Calcutta and it was amazing to read such a work of art.
In short this book is a work of contemporary fiction penned down before its time.
This book was a gift and it stayed on my shelf unread for a year because the cover looks really boring and I also thought that this might be the old fashioned type BUT am so happy it proved me wrong..
The stories are based in a pre-independent Calcutta and it was amazing to read such a work of art.
In short this book is a work of contemporary fiction penned down before its time.
April 3, 2019
Lo venden como un Holmes a lo bengalí, y retrato de esa sociedad, pero lo cierto es que los casos podrían transcurrir en Alemania o en un pueblo de Murcia sin demasiados cambios. Byomkesh no es tan raro como Holmes e incluso se casa, pero tampoco tiene tantas dotes detectivescas. Las historias son entretenidas pero poco más.
February 8, 2019
These Byomkesh stories were wonderful. Byomkesh and Ajit are both amazing characters, and what I love is that they manage to follow in the footsteps of Sherlock and Watson while being incredibly unique and unmistakably Desi.
June 22, 2020
I have always been a fan of detective fiction. Though I am not a Bengali, I have watched some Bengali movies based on the detective Byomkesh Bakshi stories, and had liked them. Hence I decided to try out this book.
I was surprised at the elegantly plotted stories, no doubt aided by the excellent translation.
These stories, while reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes stories, are also distinct in their Indian-ness.
Taken alone, the detective stories are as good as any written during this period, if not better.
The stories also filled me with a nostalgia for an earlier era in time. Yet, they have retained their charm for the modern day reader, I feel.
Highly reccomended if you like this genre.
I was surprised at the elegantly plotted stories, no doubt aided by the excellent translation.
These stories, while reminiscent of the Sherlock Holmes stories, are also distinct in their Indian-ness.
Taken alone, the detective stories are as good as any written during this period, if not better.
The stories also filled me with a nostalgia for an earlier era in time. Yet, they have retained their charm for the modern day reader, I feel.
Highly reccomended if you like this genre.
March 17, 2023
Good fun read - mostly guessable, but very well written with interesting character creation. Also, loved the old West Bengal feel to it. Could actually feel the old capital vibes and the Bengali intellectual.
Nice for the layperson to start from the beginning!
Nice for the layperson to start from the beginning!
May 9, 2023
Our very own Indian Sherlock Holmes
Each of the story in the book was intriguing and entertaining. The characterization, the description, the dialogue and the mystery in each story was unparalleled.
Highly recommended to crime, thriller and mystery readers.
Each of the story in the book was intriguing and entertaining. The characterization, the description, the dialogue and the mystery in each story was unparalleled.
Highly recommended to crime, thriller and mystery readers.
October 20, 2018
Classic detective fiction.
May 16, 2020
Sometimes predictable...
Go for it if you really want to read a classic. Not highly recommended for mystery lovers (by me at least)
Go for it if you really want to read a classic. Not highly recommended for mystery lovers (by me at least)
August 1, 2020
Amazing translation. Simply amazing. For those of us who have lived and breathed Sharadindu babu, to those who haven't, this book would be worth recommendation.
December 3, 2022
Really great tales.
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