Book Review: Mouth by Puloma Ghosh – A Daring Exploration of the Unspoken
By Dr. Arshad Afzal (Faraz Parvez)
Former Faculty Member, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
Some books make noise, and some whisper in a way that lingers. Mouth, the debut short story collection by Puloma Ghosh, does both. It startles, soothes, and ultimately leaves a deep impression. This isn’t just a book—it’s a conversation, an exploration of language, silence, and the chasm between what we say and what we mean.
A Collection That Speaks Volumes
Ghosh has woven a series of stories that feel startlingly real yet profoundly imaginative. Her characters—each grappling with their own internal struggles—navigate the complexities of communication, culture, and human connection. Some are trying to find the right words, while others are suffocated by them. The stories shift between different landscapes, but the emotional weight they carry remains constant.
What makes Mouth remarkable is its ability to be both intimate and expansive. Ghosh doesn’t just write about the things we say—she delves into the words that never make it past our lips, the thoughts left hanging in the space between people.
Themes That Resonate
At its heart, Mouth is about the power of language: how it liberates, how it restrains, and how it often fails us. Ghosh’s characters struggle with conversations they can’t have, confessions they won’t make, and histories they can’t escape. There is a certain boldness in her storytelling—a willingness to dissect the raw, messy nature of human interaction.
Her writing style is fluid, poetic, yet strikingly direct. Every sentence carries weight, every pause is intentional. She paints emotions with precision, making the unsaid feel louder than the spoken.
Why This Book Matters
The best short story collections leave you feeling as though you’ve lived a dozen lives within a single volume. Mouth does just that. It is a book for those who appreciate stories that don’t just entertain but challenge—stories that make you rethink the way you listen, the way you speak, and the way you connect with the world around you.
Puloma Ghosh has arrived with a voice that demands attention—not with a scream, but with a whisper that refuses to fade. This is a debut that will be remembered.
— Dr. Arshad Afzal (Faraz Parvez)
Former Faculty Member, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
