Stealing Life in Details

It's not so often that a short story collection by a single writer captures such a wide range of subjects. Yet Sibichen K, Mathew’s The Thief In A Sunday Market, translated from Malayalam by J. Devika, does exactly that. Each story unfolds in a distinct setting, but the telling is so effortless and alive that one almost forgets they are written by the same writer.

- By MOHD SHEHWAAZ KHAN

Mathew’s stories move through anger, regret, hunger, abandonment, and the everyday experiences that dictate our lives. His characters are often caught in the grip of moral and personal dilemmas, torn between what could have been and what should have been. The accompanying illustrations in all ten stories add a layer of insight, capturing the emotions and atmospheres of the text.