What do you think?
Rate this book
HAPPIMESS
HAPPIMESS is a collection of naughty stories that make us laugh while constantly poking fun at social peculiarities. The satirical narration centers around ordinary people who find themselves oddly tangled up in their day-to-day dealings. The knotty situations are mostly of their own making and once frantic efforts are made to wriggle out, things only get more messy.
Seriously flippant and irreverent, the net of satire is cast wide, spanning conspiring home-appliances, outlandish diseases, nosy insurance agents, diehard hagglers, a botched farewell speech and the like.
While each story deals with a unique theme, it is the constant undercurrent of funny disorderliness that serves to spice-up and unite the stories.
Seriously flippant and irreverent, the net of satire is cast wide, spanning conspiring home-appliances, outlandish diseases, nosy insurance agents, diehard hagglers, a botched farewell speech and the like.
While each story deals with a unique theme, it is the constant undercurrent of funny disorderliness that serves to spice-up and unite the stories.
151 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2020
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
March 4, 2020
Broadly speaking, the book’s appealing styles and alluring plotline bloomed an experience that was both enjoyable and intriguing to a reader like me. This factor dawned on me from the introduction of the book and was resonant until the end of the book. I don't know what I was expecting with this collection. The stories were snarky, tongue-in-cheek, sardonic, sarcastic, biting. Yup, I think that about sums it up.
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji begins on a strong note combining humor, wit, creativity, and intelligence, wrapped in symbolism which lays the foundation for the rest of the stories. Varying in length and composition style; each story has a strong individualistic first person narrative voice as author is able to distinguish each character and story but yet maintain a smooth and cohesive strand. Naturally, some stories are more appealing than others but overall, Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is inevitably strong.
Also striking is that each story is different; and yet Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is not disjointed. For those readers who enjoy a dose of surrealism in short stories, Author Biswajit delivers with whimsy but not to the point where the narrative feels ‘fake’ or unnatural. Each story retains believability and is accessible.
Biswajit Banerji is master at meshing laugh-out-loud moments with deeper philosophy. The stories make the reader think and contemplate layers of topics while also entertaining on the simplest level. Author Biswajit's text is rich, well-written, and best described as a creative voice. Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a fresh and unique voice which is relatable and yet thought-provoking.
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji begins on a strong note combining humor, wit, creativity, and intelligence, wrapped in symbolism which lays the foundation for the rest of the stories. Varying in length and composition style; each story has a strong individualistic first person narrative voice as author is able to distinguish each character and story but yet maintain a smooth and cohesive strand. Naturally, some stories are more appealing than others but overall, Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is inevitably strong.
Also striking is that each story is different; and yet Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is not disjointed. For those readers who enjoy a dose of surrealism in short stories, Author Biswajit delivers with whimsy but not to the point where the narrative feels ‘fake’ or unnatural. Each story retains believability and is accessible.
Biswajit Banerji is master at meshing laugh-out-loud moments with deeper philosophy. The stories make the reader think and contemplate layers of topics while also entertaining on the simplest level. Author Biswajit's text is rich, well-written, and best described as a creative voice. Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a fresh and unique voice which is relatable and yet thought-provoking.
June 2, 2020
I went into Happimess by Biswajit Banerji thinking it would be just a humor book, but it's actually a collection of short, satirical, witty, clever short stories. A lot of them interconnected, surprisingly. I enjoyed the majority of them.
What Biswajit does best is to find the humor in everyday situations. I love how random and unusual, weirdly funny his ideas are. This collection is fun to read. I think some of the stories had really deep meaning and hidden messages, and the rest were just random and silly.
It will make you laugh, love, shame, curiosity, confusion, frustration, and glee in the span of five page story. This collection of stories seems random and disjointed, but effortlessly flows and carries along connective threads and phrases from a story at the beginning to a few words at the end that will leave you feeling whole when you close the cover.
What Biswajit does best is to find the humor in everyday situations. I love how random and unusual, weirdly funny his ideas are. This collection is fun to read. I think some of the stories had really deep meaning and hidden messages, and the rest were just random and silly.
It will make you laugh, love, shame, curiosity, confusion, frustration, and glee in the span of five page story. This collection of stories seems random and disjointed, but effortlessly flows and carries along connective threads and phrases from a story at the beginning to a few words at the end that will leave you feeling whole when you close the cover.
June 2, 2020
I wasn't sure what to expect from Happimess by Biswajit Banerji. Author Biswajit Banerji has actually written a collection of witty, self-aware, often funny and occasionally wondrous short stories in Happimess.
His prose is neat, sparse and enjoyable, but the real treat is in his observations. The way he takes the mundane, flips it on its head, and gives it new life is what makes this book such a surprising treat. Biswajit manages to breathe interest into every one of them.
It’s quirky and very well-written book. Basically, all of the stories take place within the same universe, one I imagine to be brightly colored and filled with light-hearted escapades. Many of the premises seem based on taking “what-if” questions to the extreme. Sometimes more serious questions are hidden beneath the larger plots.
I highly recommend Happimess to those who are interested satire humor books. The book will make a wonderful weekend read.
His prose is neat, sparse and enjoyable, but the real treat is in his observations. The way he takes the mundane, flips it on its head, and gives it new life is what makes this book such a surprising treat. Biswajit manages to breathe interest into every one of them.
It’s quirky and very well-written book. Basically, all of the stories take place within the same universe, one I imagine to be brightly colored and filled with light-hearted escapades. Many of the premises seem based on taking “what-if” questions to the extreme. Sometimes more serious questions are hidden beneath the larger plots.
I highly recommend Happimess to those who are interested satire humor books. The book will make a wonderful weekend read.
February 23, 2021
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a collection of delightful short stories that tickle you with their tongue-in-cheek humour and sarcastic tone. The 13 stories pave your way to have a good time discovering how society works in a playful manner. What struck me the most was how real the stories are, coming from routine activities and making us both laugh out loud and think along the way.
Written in the first person, the stories revolve around ordinary objects and people to create an air of humour. Can you really imagine an iron machine giving you pain? Or can you point out how rats can hurt your ego? Well, the author used these and more seemingly mundane objects to create intriguing short stories collection. His writing is sharp and lucid and flows seamlessly through your brain cells. The author's approach towards crafting engaging stories is strong and that shows up in the quality of the stories.
I personally love satirical pieces. They tend to appear humoristic but contain some food for thought beneath the surface. And that's exactly what you'd find in this book too. Be it amazing characters or their quirky traits, the book wouldn't fail to give you peals of laughter. If you're looking for a short stories collection replete with satire and wit, go and pick up this book.
Written in the first person, the stories revolve around ordinary objects and people to create an air of humour. Can you really imagine an iron machine giving you pain? Or can you point out how rats can hurt your ego? Well, the author used these and more seemingly mundane objects to create intriguing short stories collection. His writing is sharp and lucid and flows seamlessly through your brain cells. The author's approach towards crafting engaging stories is strong and that shows up in the quality of the stories.
I personally love satirical pieces. They tend to appear humoristic but contain some food for thought beneath the surface. And that's exactly what you'd find in this book too. Be it amazing characters or their quirky traits, the book wouldn't fail to give you peals of laughter. If you're looking for a short stories collection replete with satire and wit, go and pick up this book.
June 2, 2020
Biswajit Banerji brings us his debut collection of short stories in Happimess. It is a book full of laugh out loud moments. Each of the short stories brings something unique and special to the table.
Happimess is an interesting and unique collection of short stories, occasionally author Biswajit stumbles upon the authentic and the evocative tone in stories . At other times the sardonic tone attempts to overshadow its reader. Either way, It's a quick and easy read and the moments of genuine wit make it a worth while read.
Happimess is very creative, very entertaining. It's a collection of obscure everyday stories and life situations that are presented in a very unique way. Many of the stories carry a big picture life-lesson written in a very smart (almost pretentious) way.
Happimess is an interesting and unique collection of short stories, occasionally author Biswajit stumbles upon the authentic and the evocative tone in stories . At other times the sardonic tone attempts to overshadow its reader. Either way, It's a quick and easy read and the moments of genuine wit make it a worth while read.
Happimess is very creative, very entertaining. It's a collection of obscure everyday stories and life situations that are presented in a very unique way. Many of the stories carry a big picture life-lesson written in a very smart (almost pretentious) way.
January 16, 2021
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a collection of satirical humorous stories from across the world which centers around ordinary people like us and simple stories and everyday problems. Every story has an underlying hidden cause and it is very well executed.
I picked this one up because was a longing for a very light and laughable read after reading two very sad and disappointing reads. And trust me this one was laugh out loud kind of a novel. The humor and satire in this book will not liked by many is what I feel, but only by those who appreciate this thought provoking kind of humor.
There are in total 11-12 short stories and let me tell you each story will bring you some surprise and will make you laugh out loud. I could even make my parents, who are non readers relate to so many of the points in this book. Being it reading about rats in the house, which by the way we removed literally one two days back, lol!
Or it being about insurance policies because in the past we have been coned into one. My most favorite and hilarious story is '‘Neighbors Beware'', because of course, we all have one such meddling neighbor who just can't mind their own business. I highly recommend you guys to pick this book.
I picked this one up because was a longing for a very light and laughable read after reading two very sad and disappointing reads. And trust me this one was laugh out loud kind of a novel. The humor and satire in this book will not liked by many is what I feel, but only by those who appreciate this thought provoking kind of humor.
There are in total 11-12 short stories and let me tell you each story will bring you some surprise and will make you laugh out loud. I could even make my parents, who are non readers relate to so many of the points in this book. Being it reading about rats in the house, which by the way we removed literally one two days back, lol!
Or it being about insurance policies because in the past we have been coned into one. My most favorite and hilarious story is '‘Neighbors Beware'', because of course, we all have one such meddling neighbor who just can't mind their own business. I highly recommend you guys to pick this book.
June 2, 2020
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji was a very well-written collection of humorous short stories, some with a bit of an existential edge. There are short witty tales that take up no more than a few minutes of your time, and some slightly longer ones that reflect on the life story of interesting characters. Each story is really well-written, some will make you chuckle, and some will make you think.
Happimess is funny but relies heavily on the element of surprise or other devices that can sometimes be irritating. Under the guise of humor, more complicated topics are explored with depth and with beauty. Concepts that seemed totally ridiculous and contrived unravelled into brilliant stories that were touching and thought-provoking.
The stories were beautifully varied in length and content, but not in quality. Author Biswajit's writing style feels conversational, as if it’s spoken word rather than written, and it made for a very quick read.
Happimess is funny but relies heavily on the element of surprise or other devices that can sometimes be irritating. Under the guise of humor, more complicated topics are explored with depth and with beauty. Concepts that seemed totally ridiculous and contrived unravelled into brilliant stories that were touching and thought-provoking.
The stories were beautifully varied in length and content, but not in quality. Author Biswajit's writing style feels conversational, as if it’s spoken word rather than written, and it made for a very quick read.
Read
March 15, 2020There are times when I crave for light entertaining reads. Times, when all around me I only see is an absurd unrest created by us humans. On those heavy on mind days, I love to read books like ’Happimess by Biswajit Banerji’, they make me laugh out loud and simultaneously gives me food for thought, underlining the irony of problems that are potentially very severe.
First of all, this book took me by surprise. You ask me why? And I say, this book Happimess by Biswajit Banerji, felt like the shortest read, though mind you, it wasn't. The moment I started reading it, I was in violent riots of laughter that brought pain in and around my stomach. And seeing the riots that are happening in Delhi, mine was relatively calmer and had a musical lilt to it. Ah! Unfortunately, the laughter riots spread like wildfire around me. I found my family guffawing in all sorts of tones and tempo while I deadpanned read them some of the most hilarious anecdotes from this book. It was really an incredible experience to see my no reader of a family connect with this book so easily.
And come to think about it, it's been a long time since I laughed so
much while reading a book. And all the credit for that goes to the author Biswajit Banerji for writing an absurdly hilarious and a perfect satire.
Biswajit Banerji’s book Happimess, is a collection of eleven short stories. Each story is a humorous reflection of our ordinary life and the mess we create; from the house rats to electrical gadgets to insurance policies, their agents and etc. I couldn't decide which of the stories I enjoyed the most, because for me all were equally good. Even the Acknowledgement and Introduction parts were quite fun to read.
”Humour and satire have never ever grown on trees – so as to be plucked and served on a platter the easy way. They are present in plenty though, within us and all around, in everyday actions, situations and familiar objects – even a blade of grass”
Biswajit made sure not to stretch the stories with redundant words. Furthermore, the narrative and the prose were so pitch-perfect and masterfully done that I simply didn't realize when one story ended and the other started. Same goes with his sheer talent with the use of language, Uff, I could go on and on, with no end to my words. Writing this review makes me want to settle for the second round right this very second now and read it all up again. Happiness by Biswajit Banerji has the arresting charm of slowly settling in your memory, and gushing back unwarranted and making you giggle at unexpected places.
I went through a set of emotions, which is very difficult to describe when I finished reading it. In fact, I felt deeply sad that it was over now. I found myself wanting to magically add a few more stories into it, so I could go on reading. Well, a reader’s heart is always irrational when it comes to good books.
First of all, this book took me by surprise. You ask me why? And I say, this book Happimess by Biswajit Banerji, felt like the shortest read, though mind you, it wasn't. The moment I started reading it, I was in violent riots of laughter that brought pain in and around my stomach. And seeing the riots that are happening in Delhi, mine was relatively calmer and had a musical lilt to it. Ah! Unfortunately, the laughter riots spread like wildfire around me. I found my family guffawing in all sorts of tones and tempo while I deadpanned read them some of the most hilarious anecdotes from this book. It was really an incredible experience to see my no reader of a family connect with this book so easily.
And come to think about it, it's been a long time since I laughed so
much while reading a book. And all the credit for that goes to the author Biswajit Banerji for writing an absurdly hilarious and a perfect satire.
Biswajit Banerji’s book Happimess, is a collection of eleven short stories. Each story is a humorous reflection of our ordinary life and the mess we create; from the house rats to electrical gadgets to insurance policies, their agents and etc. I couldn't decide which of the stories I enjoyed the most, because for me all were equally good. Even the Acknowledgement and Introduction parts were quite fun to read.
”Humour and satire have never ever grown on trees – so as to be plucked and served on a platter the easy way. They are present in plenty though, within us and all around, in everyday actions, situations and familiar objects – even a blade of grass”
Biswajit made sure not to stretch the stories with redundant words. Furthermore, the narrative and the prose were so pitch-perfect and masterfully done that I simply didn't realize when one story ended and the other started. Same goes with his sheer talent with the use of language, Uff, I could go on and on, with no end to my words. Writing this review makes me want to settle for the second round right this very second now and read it all up again. Happiness by Biswajit Banerji has the arresting charm of slowly settling in your memory, and gushing back unwarranted and making you giggle at unexpected places.
I went through a set of emotions, which is very difficult to describe when I finished reading it. In fact, I felt deeply sad that it was over now. I found myself wanting to magically add a few more stories into it, so I could go on reading. Well, a reader’s heart is always irrational when it comes to good books.
March 4, 2021
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a satirical collection of short stories with humor and wit as it's essence. I did not experience a single dull moment reading Happimess and laughed my heart out with each relatable reference I came across. The micro tales that transpire from simple unnoticeable events of our daily laced with the author's jocular writing keeps you entertained throughout.
From the battle that ensues between a vengeful iron and it's owner to office humors and quips, this book has it all. The tenacity of the know-it-all insurance agents to a grave matter i.e rat killing that requires knight like skills, I was thoroughly grinning while reading Happimess. As Banerji narrates his humorous tales, he also ensures that the reader doesnot bore of his nonchalant chatter and spices up his stories by incorporating minor themes quite tunefully. But, what makes this book special is how essentially and effortlessly fitting his remarks are! He truly captures the essence of modern satire and I was easily impressed with every single story!
Here is a quirky snippet from the book :
From the battle that ensues between a vengeful iron and it's owner to office humors and quips, this book has it all. The tenacity of the know-it-all insurance agents to a grave matter i.e rat killing that requires knight like skills, I was thoroughly grinning while reading Happimess. As Banerji narrates his humorous tales, he also ensures that the reader doesnot bore of his nonchalant chatter and spices up his stories by incorporating minor themes quite tunefully. But, what makes this book special is how essentially and effortlessly fitting his remarks are! He truly captures the essence of modern satire and I was easily impressed with every single story!
Here is a quirky snippet from the book :
Yoga robs a good night's sleep, inducing tension in the mind to rise early for a work-out and unnecessarily causes pain in the human joints not designed to withstand animal poses. As far as spirituality is concerned, it is only a euphemism for refined insanity.
January 30, 2021
"The humorist wallows in the belief that it is generally useless and sometimes dangerous to try reforming the world which is hell-bent on making a complete ass of itself."
Happimess consists of 13 short stories full of hilarious moments. Each story is uniquely funny. You can't stop yourself from laughing out loud at many instants described in the book. Real life incidents are perfectly blended with trickling humour and prickling satire.
Be it haggling with a shopkeeper or keeping up with a troublesome electrical appliance, the author has made the most funny observations regarding the most mundane things. My favorite story in this book is "With all due respect to 'self respect'" which talks about the human ego and it's constant need to win a fight and how this need gives birth to many chucklesome situations.
This book is a welcome change from all the overwhelming and melancholy books we read most of the time. It will make you forget all your problems for some time and you'll have many good laughs over it. The author has done a splendid job as this book is brilliant and comical at the same time!
Buy it and have a gala time laughing till you have tears in your eyes! It is available on Amazon in Kindle as well as paperback format.
Happimess consists of 13 short stories full of hilarious moments. Each story is uniquely funny. You can't stop yourself from laughing out loud at many instants described in the book. Real life incidents are perfectly blended with trickling humour and prickling satire.
Be it haggling with a shopkeeper or keeping up with a troublesome electrical appliance, the author has made the most funny observations regarding the most mundane things. My favorite story in this book is "With all due respect to 'self respect'" which talks about the human ego and it's constant need to win a fight and how this need gives birth to many chucklesome situations.
This book is a welcome change from all the overwhelming and melancholy books we read most of the time. It will make you forget all your problems for some time and you'll have many good laughs over it. The author has done a splendid job as this book is brilliant and comical at the same time!
Buy it and have a gala time laughing till you have tears in your eyes! It is available on Amazon in Kindle as well as paperback format.
January 13, 2021
I wanted to read something I've never tried before and here it is 'Happimess' full of sarcastic stories. This is the first time I laid my hand on satire, humour genre. And somehow this book reaches up to my expectations.
How many time it's happened to you that you caught in some tricky and awkward situation and try to do the best to escape from it with ease but at the end, you meet this very known Mr Mess? yeah, I know this is very common in every day but we are so busy to notice that there is little humour in every messiness. But in this book author picked those peculiarities and bring the humour to readers.
This book has 12 funny short stories which are connected to our daily activities. Each story has different situations and different level of humour sarcasm. It brings happiness just by recalling things we are also gone through. This book is easy to read and can easily complete in one sitting. This book will lift one's bad mood. So go for it.
How many time it's happened to you that you caught in some tricky and awkward situation and try to do the best to escape from it with ease but at the end, you meet this very known Mr Mess? yeah, I know this is very common in every day but we are so busy to notice that there is little humour in every messiness. But in this book author picked those peculiarities and bring the humour to readers.
This book has 12 funny short stories which are connected to our daily activities. Each story has different situations and different level of humour sarcasm. It brings happiness just by recalling things we are also gone through. This book is easy to read and can easily complete in one sitting. This book will lift one's bad mood. So go for it.
February 3, 2021
The name Happimess is itself sounds interesting hence I picked this book and what a great read it is.
.
In our every day busy and tension-filled life, this book serves as a piece of enjoyment and laughter. This book has a collection of short stories. Every story is filled with entertainment, laughter, and strong & interesting characters which makes it even more relatable and engaging.
Not only fun and entertainment, but some of the stories have also covered some great and sensitive messages.
The way the whole book is presented and written is something worth reading as every story is better than the other one.
.
Though there are some things common in every story which is laughter, humor, creativity, witness, and a lot of curiosity. I think this book will help you to end 2020 finally with a big fat smile.
.
These kinds of books are hard to find nowadays which will make happy, curious and confused all at once.
I like the writing style of the author very much.
.
In our every day busy and tension-filled life, this book serves as a piece of enjoyment and laughter. This book has a collection of short stories. Every story is filled with entertainment, laughter, and strong & interesting characters which makes it even more relatable and engaging.
Not only fun and entertainment, but some of the stories have also covered some great and sensitive messages.
The way the whole book is presented and written is something worth reading as every story is better than the other one.
.
Though there are some things common in every story which is laughter, humor, creativity, witness, and a lot of curiosity. I think this book will help you to end 2020 finally with a big fat smile.
.
These kinds of books are hard to find nowadays which will make happy, curious and confused all at once.
I like the writing style of the author very much.
July 14, 2020
This book happimess is a gem of humour I would say. There are 13 different stories all from the perceptive a of single person. All the 13 stories are great and totally funny. Though I feel that the book Is a little short or maybe it’s the joy it was giving me that it makes me feel that it is not too long.
It is a book you would like to read again and again or if there is a new reader this is defiantly the book you are looking for. My personal experience with this book has been great I recommend this too everyone
It is a book you would like to read again and again or if there is a new reader this is defiantly the book you are looking for. My personal experience with this book has been great I recommend this too everyone
October 17, 2023
Biswajit Banerji's debut, Happimess, is a hysterical journey into the heart of absurdity. This collection of naughty stories introduces us to a world where home appliances conspire, diseases make you doubt your sanity, insurance agents possess supernatural nosiness, and hagglers argue over ant toenail fractions.
Banerji's satirical genius transforms everyday situations into comedic goldmines, making you laugh at the most mundane moments. With uproarious tales of failed farewell speeches, insulting neighbors, and a wild cast of characters, Happimess keeps you in stitches. It's a reminder that life's messiness is best navigated with humor. Dive into this fizzy concoction of wit and whimsy for an unforgettable ride. I recommend it.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
Banerji's satirical genius transforms everyday situations into comedic goldmines, making you laugh at the most mundane moments. With uproarious tales of failed farewell speeches, insulting neighbors, and a wild cast of characters, Happimess keeps you in stitches. It's a reminder that life's messiness is best navigated with humor. Dive into this fizzy concoction of wit and whimsy for an unforgettable ride. I recommend it.
Read the detailed review here - Books Charming
March 4, 2020
There is a generally accepted notion that it is easy to make someone cry but literally difficult to make them laugh. This is one of the main reason as to why comedians are celebrated all over the world. Having said that, it is time to register my personal review herewith for one of the most hilarious book that I have come across in the recent days.
The book "Happimess" is a collection of 12 GEMS. The reason why I had referred to these short stories as GEMS is for the fact that the book has made me feel light when I finished reading it. Yes. I was under utter stress prior to start reading it due to some personal issues but this book has literally made me to forget all of them, in one shot.
What I have liked the most about the book is the variation shown in each story. There was a sarcasm in each and every one but the way they have been used or put forth to the readers was done in such a way that by the time you realize the real intention of it, the story would have got over.
Author has drawn inspiration from day to day events and the things that were used in our daily life. The first story is about the iron box. How it tortures him was written in such a hilarious way. There was a mention about Ayurveda where the author has put it in a subtle way as to how it takes real long to cure. He has compared this with the day to day life where the diet restriction would precipitate divorce and force you into celibacy. One must understand that the real intention here is pure fun and not to hurt the sentiments of any.
There is a story about Insurance Agents and how they hound their prospective clients.There was a story on Hagglers, Self Respect, Risk Aversion(which I liked the most since I could relate this with the way the family members of a reputed jewelry brand travel), Inflicting insult without an injury, OCD, Neighbors and other stories.
If you want to feel light or get rid of tension or wanted a change from the routine love/romance/thriller/horror/crime story, I would certainly recommend reading this book.
The book "Happimess" is a collection of 12 GEMS. The reason why I had referred to these short stories as GEMS is for the fact that the book has made me feel light when I finished reading it. Yes. I was under utter stress prior to start reading it due to some personal issues but this book has literally made me to forget all of them, in one shot.
What I have liked the most about the book is the variation shown in each story. There was a sarcasm in each and every one but the way they have been used or put forth to the readers was done in such a way that by the time you realize the real intention of it, the story would have got over.
Author has drawn inspiration from day to day events and the things that were used in our daily life. The first story is about the iron box. How it tortures him was written in such a hilarious way. There was a mention about Ayurveda where the author has put it in a subtle way as to how it takes real long to cure. He has compared this with the day to day life where the diet restriction would precipitate divorce and force you into celibacy. One must understand that the real intention here is pure fun and not to hurt the sentiments of any.
There is a story about Insurance Agents and how they hound their prospective clients.There was a story on Hagglers, Self Respect, Risk Aversion(which I liked the most since I could relate this with the way the family members of a reputed jewelry brand travel), Inflicting insult without an injury, OCD, Neighbors and other stories.
If you want to feel light or get rid of tension or wanted a change from the routine love/romance/thriller/horror/crime story, I would certainly recommend reading this book.
June 11, 2020
It’s a short read that I finished in a single day. I will briefly summarise the concept. It’s a collection of short stories or incidents that have in sarcastic language. It’s definitely hilarious that makes us laugh. The stories are on various concepts. Mostly all the stories are naughty and mischievous that targets of social peculiarities. I want to discuss here is one of my most favourite story that is “A matter of Life (insurance) and death” that was the funniest for me. It’s hilarious how author has stigma towards the insurance products. And that was the most amazing punch when author described that before marriage, he had engaged a private detective just to confirm that his brother-in-law had nothing to do with insurance products. I liked the storyline of the each story. As I said earlier, writing style and vocabulary used by the author is amazing. Sometimes, I had to read twice one paragraph as there are back to back punch lines and sarcasm. I don’t want to discuss more about the concept as it might be spoilers for the reader. But I don’t remember I have read any humorous book before or at least the book that is this funny and sarcastic. Overall good one. Very different concept and writing style. Recommended from my side.
August 25, 2024
“Happimess” by Biswajit Banerji is a delightful collection of short stories that offers readers a whimsical and humorous look at the absurdities of everyday life. Through a series of tales narrated mostly in the first person, Banerji explores situations that start off as mundane but quickly spiral into chaotic, laugh-out-loud predicaments. The book is a masterclass in satire, poking fun at the idiosyncrasies of modern society while maintaining a light-hearted, irreverent tone.
What makes “Happimess” stand out is its ability to find humor in the most ordinary of circumstances. Banerji takes everyday situations—interactions with nosy insurance agents, the struggle with malfunctioning home appliances, the complications of delivering a farewell speech—and infuses them with a sense of mischief and unpredictability. Each story begins with a seemingly simple premise, but as the characters attempt to navigate their way through these situations, things quickly become hilariously tangled. The more they try to extricate themselves, the messier things get, leading to outcomes that are as unpredictable as they are entertaining.
One of the strengths of “Happimess” is Banerji’s sharp observational humor. He has a keen eye for the quirks of human behavior, and he uses this to great effect in his storytelling. The characters in the book are relatable in their imperfections, and it’s these imperfections that make them so endearing. Whether it’s a person trying to outwit an overly persistent insurance agent or someone dealing with a household appliance that seems to have a mind of its own, the situations they find themselves in are both funny and recognizable. Banerji’s ability to take these familiar scenarios and turn them into something delightfully absurd is a testament to his skill as a humorist.
The stories in “Happimess” are also united by a constant undercurrent of disorderliness. There’s a sense that things are always on the verge of going awry, and it’s this element of unpredictability that keeps the reader engaged. Banerji’s narrative style is flippant and irreverent, with a casual tone that invites the reader to laugh along with the characters’ misadventures. The satire is wide-ranging, targeting everything from social norms and expectations to the peculiarities of modern technology and bureaucracy. In each story, Banerji casts a net of satire that is both broad and incisive, capturing the essence of the absurdities he wishes to highlight.
One of the standout stories in the collection involves a character’s struggle with a particularly stubborn home appliance. Banerji takes a situation that many readers will find familiar—dealing with a malfunctioning gadget—and turns it into a comedic battle of wills. The appliance seems almost sentient in its refusal to cooperate, and the character’s increasingly desperate attempts to get it to work lead to a series of escalating mishaps. The story is a perfect example of Banerji’s ability to take something mundane and turn it into a farcical scenario that has the reader laughing out loud.
Another memorable tale revolves around a farewell speech gone wrong. What starts as a simple task of saying goodbye to a colleague quickly devolves into a chaotic mess as the speaker, overwhelmed by nerves and unexpected interruptions, finds themselves floundering in front of an increasingly bewildered audience. Banerji captures the anxiety of public speaking with humor and empathy, while also poking fun at the social rituals that often accompany such events. The story is both cringe-worthy and hilarious, a perfect example of how Banerji blends humor with a touch of pathos to create moments that are both funny and relatable.
The book’s title, “Happimess,” is a fitting encapsulation of the themes that run throughout the collection. The stories are about the messiness of life, the way things rarely go according to plan, and the humor that can be found in the chaos. Banerji’s characters are not always successful in their attempts to navigate the challenges they face, but there’s a sense of joy and resilience in their efforts. The messiness of their lives is not something to be lamented but celebrated, and Banerji’s writing reflects this philosophy.
Banerji’s use of language is another highlight of the book. His prose is crisp and witty, with a conversational style that makes the stories feel like they’re being told by a friend over a cup of tea. The dialogue is particularly sharp, capturing the rhythms of everyday speech while also imbuing it with a sense of comic timing. Banerji has a knack for finding just the right word or phrase to convey the absurdity of a situation, and this adds to the overall charm of the book.
While the humor in “Happimess” is often light and playful, there are also moments of deeper reflection woven into the stories. Banerji uses humor as a lens through which to examine the human condition, highlighting the ways in which we all grapple with life’s unpredictability. The stories may be flippant and irreverent, but they also carry an underlying message about the importance of embracing life’s messiness and finding joy in the unexpected.
“Happimess” by Biswajit Banerji is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you laughing at the absurdities of life. The collection’s blend of sharp observational humor, relatable characters, and unpredictable scenarios makes it a standout in the genre of comic fiction. Banerji’s ability to find humor in the everyday, combined with his witty and irreverent writing style, makes “Happimess” a book that is sure to resonate with readers who appreciate the lighter side of life. Whether you’re looking for a book to lift your spirits or simply want to enjoy a good laugh, “Happimess” is a delightful choice that will not disappoint.
What makes “Happimess” stand out is its ability to find humor in the most ordinary of circumstances. Banerji takes everyday situations—interactions with nosy insurance agents, the struggle with malfunctioning home appliances, the complications of delivering a farewell speech—and infuses them with a sense of mischief and unpredictability. Each story begins with a seemingly simple premise, but as the characters attempt to navigate their way through these situations, things quickly become hilariously tangled. The more they try to extricate themselves, the messier things get, leading to outcomes that are as unpredictable as they are entertaining.
One of the strengths of “Happimess” is Banerji’s sharp observational humor. He has a keen eye for the quirks of human behavior, and he uses this to great effect in his storytelling. The characters in the book are relatable in their imperfections, and it’s these imperfections that make them so endearing. Whether it’s a person trying to outwit an overly persistent insurance agent or someone dealing with a household appliance that seems to have a mind of its own, the situations they find themselves in are both funny and recognizable. Banerji’s ability to take these familiar scenarios and turn them into something delightfully absurd is a testament to his skill as a humorist.
The stories in “Happimess” are also united by a constant undercurrent of disorderliness. There’s a sense that things are always on the verge of going awry, and it’s this element of unpredictability that keeps the reader engaged. Banerji’s narrative style is flippant and irreverent, with a casual tone that invites the reader to laugh along with the characters’ misadventures. The satire is wide-ranging, targeting everything from social norms and expectations to the peculiarities of modern technology and bureaucracy. In each story, Banerji casts a net of satire that is both broad and incisive, capturing the essence of the absurdities he wishes to highlight.
One of the standout stories in the collection involves a character’s struggle with a particularly stubborn home appliance. Banerji takes a situation that many readers will find familiar—dealing with a malfunctioning gadget—and turns it into a comedic battle of wills. The appliance seems almost sentient in its refusal to cooperate, and the character’s increasingly desperate attempts to get it to work lead to a series of escalating mishaps. The story is a perfect example of Banerji’s ability to take something mundane and turn it into a farcical scenario that has the reader laughing out loud.
Another memorable tale revolves around a farewell speech gone wrong. What starts as a simple task of saying goodbye to a colleague quickly devolves into a chaotic mess as the speaker, overwhelmed by nerves and unexpected interruptions, finds themselves floundering in front of an increasingly bewildered audience. Banerji captures the anxiety of public speaking with humor and empathy, while also poking fun at the social rituals that often accompany such events. The story is both cringe-worthy and hilarious, a perfect example of how Banerji blends humor with a touch of pathos to create moments that are both funny and relatable.
The book’s title, “Happimess,” is a fitting encapsulation of the themes that run throughout the collection. The stories are about the messiness of life, the way things rarely go according to plan, and the humor that can be found in the chaos. Banerji’s characters are not always successful in their attempts to navigate the challenges they face, but there’s a sense of joy and resilience in their efforts. The messiness of their lives is not something to be lamented but celebrated, and Banerji’s writing reflects this philosophy.
Banerji’s use of language is another highlight of the book. His prose is crisp and witty, with a conversational style that makes the stories feel like they’re being told by a friend over a cup of tea. The dialogue is particularly sharp, capturing the rhythms of everyday speech while also imbuing it with a sense of comic timing. Banerji has a knack for finding just the right word or phrase to convey the absurdity of a situation, and this adds to the overall charm of the book.
While the humor in “Happimess” is often light and playful, there are also moments of deeper reflection woven into the stories. Banerji uses humor as a lens through which to examine the human condition, highlighting the ways in which we all grapple with life’s unpredictability. The stories may be flippant and irreverent, but they also carry an underlying message about the importance of embracing life’s messiness and finding joy in the unexpected.
“Happimess” by Biswajit Banerji is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will leave you laughing at the absurdities of life. The collection’s blend of sharp observational humor, relatable characters, and unpredictable scenarios makes it a standout in the genre of comic fiction. Banerji’s ability to find humor in the everyday, combined with his witty and irreverent writing style, makes “Happimess” a book that is sure to resonate with readers who appreciate the lighter side of life. Whether you’re looking for a book to lift your spirits or simply want to enjoy a good laugh, “Happimess” is a delightful choice that will not disappoint.
October 3, 2022
Note: The stars above are rounded off. For Paperback version we can give 8 to 8.5 stars out of 10 and for the kindle edition we can give around 7.5 stars out of 10.
==========
It takes a lot of intelligence to have a satirical look at the things we find around us and skills when you try to pen it down. While the satire is mostly infused with humour, it is not always the case. So, weaving them together requires emotional intelligence as well.
It is rare to find such books and that too without any adult-only content.
This book is a clean mixture of humour and satire anyone would like to explore.
Spread over in 13 chapters, Happimess, comprises of 13 short stories, unequal in length.
To avoid spoilers, I will not summarize all the stories here but will try to give you a bird's eye view to the content and quality of the same. The story about electricity is quite tickling. The way the author has humanized the electrical gadgets is intriguing. And, yes the protagonist (of the story)’s experiences with an “iron” makes makes him “iron-man”(!) in a different sense.
Let me quote a small segment from this story:
"Electrical home appliances have never been known to possess genuine human qualities. But long association with the humans, I presume, can lead to not-so-civilized influences on select breed of appliances."
See, how beautifully the author has played with words! And it is not just only about the fun element. The same story (like most others) contains a philosophical quote as well.
"in fact, the mother of all existence – the universe itself had begun with a flicker and is likely to end up with a flicker as well."
Here, the author, Biswajit Banerji, is comparing the flickering of electric power (the protagonist has experienced with his iron) with the ultimate creation.
Simply brilliant!
Here is a quotable segment from the book taking a look at the food-philosophy of a character:
"For many, the idea of consuming adulterated food is worse than death. They don’t understand that given the way our bodies have adjusted themselves irrevocably to adulteration, pure foodstuff can really harm us, causing life-threatening diseases or even death."
and you will also find lines like:
"He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand."
The author has defined the characters in depth without making them look boring. Writing short stories is always a challenging task, as you don’t get much time to introduce your characters or story backdrop. Making the attributes of the character appear elaborated in such small span requires literary skills. And, I found Biswajit has mastered it. Looking forward to the future works of the author.
The book has some formatting issues with Kindle edition, and some proof reading errors which can disturb the reading experience a little. We have mentioned a few of them in our detailed book review at:
https://thinkerviews.com/books/englis...
Overall:
I enjoyed reading this "fusion of wit and fun" book thoroughly.
==========
It takes a lot of intelligence to have a satirical look at the things we find around us and skills when you try to pen it down. While the satire is mostly infused with humour, it is not always the case. So, weaving them together requires emotional intelligence as well.
It is rare to find such books and that too without any adult-only content.
This book is a clean mixture of humour and satire anyone would like to explore.
Spread over in 13 chapters, Happimess, comprises of 13 short stories, unequal in length.
To avoid spoilers, I will not summarize all the stories here but will try to give you a bird's eye view to the content and quality of the same. The story about electricity is quite tickling. The way the author has humanized the electrical gadgets is intriguing. And, yes the protagonist (of the story)’s experiences with an “iron” makes makes him “iron-man”(!) in a different sense.
Let me quote a small segment from this story:
"Electrical home appliances have never been known to possess genuine human qualities. But long association with the humans, I presume, can lead to not-so-civilized influences on select breed of appliances."
See, how beautifully the author has played with words! And it is not just only about the fun element. The same story (like most others) contains a philosophical quote as well.
"in fact, the mother of all existence – the universe itself had begun with a flicker and is likely to end up with a flicker as well."
Here, the author, Biswajit Banerji, is comparing the flickering of electric power (the protagonist has experienced with his iron) with the ultimate creation.
Simply brilliant!
Here is a quotable segment from the book taking a look at the food-philosophy of a character:
"For many, the idea of consuming adulterated food is worse than death. They don’t understand that given the way our bodies have adjusted themselves irrevocably to adulteration, pure foodstuff can really harm us, causing life-threatening diseases or even death."
and you will also find lines like:
"He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand."
The author has defined the characters in depth without making them look boring. Writing short stories is always a challenging task, as you don’t get much time to introduce your characters or story backdrop. Making the attributes of the character appear elaborated in such small span requires literary skills. And, I found Biswajit has mastered it. Looking forward to the future works of the author.
The book has some formatting issues with Kindle edition, and some proof reading errors which can disturb the reading experience a little. We have mentioned a few of them in our detailed book review at:
https://thinkerviews.com/books/englis...
Overall:
I enjoyed reading this "fusion of wit and fun" book thoroughly.
October 19, 2024
If you're looking for a light-hearted yet thought-provoking read, Happimess by Biswajit Banerji offers exactly that with its unique blend of humor and satire. The book consists of 13 short stories, each one filled with sarcasm, wit, and sharp commentary on life’s everyday absurdities.
What makes this book truly stand out is the author's ability to weave humor into scenarios we often encounter but rarely stop to laugh at. Whether it's dealing with insufferable neighbors or attempting to deliver a farewell speech gone awry, each story brings something fresh and fun to the table. The author’s sharp observations about human nature and societal norms are not only relatable but also delivered in a way that leaves you both amused and contemplative.
One of my favorite chapters, The Haggler’s Manual, brilliantly captures the art of negotiation, turning a mundane shopping experience into a hilarious battle of wits. Another standout chapter is The Dangers of Risk-Aversion, which delves into how our fears and hesitation can lead us into the very situations we hope to avoid, all presented with a generous helping of humor.
The author's writing is clever and playful. He masterfully uses sarcasm to bring depth to his stories without overcomplicating them. There’s a line that particularly stood out to me: He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand. It’s small moments like these where the author packs in a punch of wisdom wrapped in wit.
Character development is impressive, especially considering the brevity of each story. Short stories often struggle to introduce characters in a meaningful way, but Banerji manages to give his characters enough personality and backstory to make them memorable. Mr. Das, a quirky character with a peculiar disorder that provides a lot of the book’s humor, became one of my personal favorites. Despite the humor, there’s a genuine effort to make the characters feel real, even in the most ridiculous situations.
The story about the protagonist who becomes an "iron-man" after his encounter with an electric iron was one of the funniest, blending humor with philosophical insights, something that runs throughout the book. It takes everyday objects and experiences and turns them into metaphors for larger ideas, without ever becoming preachy or losing the fun.
However, the book is not without its minor flaws. There are some formatting issues with the Kindle edition and a few proofreading errors that could disrupt the flow for readers. These didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment but are worth noting.
What I truly appreciated is that the humor in it is clean and accessible to a wide range of readers, making it a book that can be enjoyed without any adult-only content. It’s refreshing to find a book that relies purely on wit and insight rather than shock value or explicit language.
In conclusion, it is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys intelligent humor and satire. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile, chuckle, and even reflect a little on the messiness of life. The author has done an excellent job of crafting stories that are not only funny but also offer a satirical lens on everyday situations. I’m looking forward to seeing more from him in the future.
What makes this book truly stand out is the author's ability to weave humor into scenarios we often encounter but rarely stop to laugh at. Whether it's dealing with insufferable neighbors or attempting to deliver a farewell speech gone awry, each story brings something fresh and fun to the table. The author’s sharp observations about human nature and societal norms are not only relatable but also delivered in a way that leaves you both amused and contemplative.
One of my favorite chapters, The Haggler’s Manual, brilliantly captures the art of negotiation, turning a mundane shopping experience into a hilarious battle of wits. Another standout chapter is The Dangers of Risk-Aversion, which delves into how our fears and hesitation can lead us into the very situations we hope to avoid, all presented with a generous helping of humor.
The author's writing is clever and playful. He masterfully uses sarcasm to bring depth to his stories without overcomplicating them. There’s a line that particularly stood out to me: He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand. It’s small moments like these where the author packs in a punch of wisdom wrapped in wit.
Character development is impressive, especially considering the brevity of each story. Short stories often struggle to introduce characters in a meaningful way, but Banerji manages to give his characters enough personality and backstory to make them memorable. Mr. Das, a quirky character with a peculiar disorder that provides a lot of the book’s humor, became one of my personal favorites. Despite the humor, there’s a genuine effort to make the characters feel real, even in the most ridiculous situations.
The story about the protagonist who becomes an "iron-man" after his encounter with an electric iron was one of the funniest, blending humor with philosophical insights, something that runs throughout the book. It takes everyday objects and experiences and turns them into metaphors for larger ideas, without ever becoming preachy or losing the fun.
However, the book is not without its minor flaws. There are some formatting issues with the Kindle edition and a few proofreading errors that could disrupt the flow for readers. These didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment but are worth noting.
What I truly appreciated is that the humor in it is clean and accessible to a wide range of readers, making it a book that can be enjoyed without any adult-only content. It’s refreshing to find a book that relies purely on wit and insight rather than shock value or explicit language.
In conclusion, it is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys intelligent humor and satire. It’s the kind of book that makes you smile, chuckle, and even reflect a little on the messiness of life. The author has done an excellent job of crafting stories that are not only funny but also offer a satirical lens on everyday situations. I’m looking forward to seeing more from him in the future.
March 4, 2020
It is well known that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. However the collection of naughty stories as Biswajit addresses them contains the highest form of wit while qualifying the genre of sarcasm or satire. Before I deep dive into critical analysis of the recent publication of my author friend Biswajit,which I am privileged to do for the past few decades, it is worth putting a few words about him. We almost grew up together sharing hostels, breads, college notes and humours. Unlike Jerome K Jerome who spent the first part of his life in theatres and later resorted to writing, we both chose our path quite early. While I found myself more comfortable in histrionics, Biswajit with his gifted pen specialises in producing literary gems. While he has his own style of writing, original and natural to the core, somewhere down the line, the impact of voracious reading cannot be undermined, specially when it comes to the genre created by Woodhouse or Jerome. K Jerome.
He has an uncanny penchant for exploring the mundane traits of our mediocre lifestyles, which we have accepted and moved on. However Biswajit goes a step further extracting humours from these daily chores and presenting them in a ludicrous spread- “Happimess”.
As the backdrop is based on Indian middle class hobnobs, empathising ourselves to his experience adds to the initial engagement which makes it further gripping because of his crafty storytelling ability. Impact of loose connections of electrical appliances, being chased by Life Insurers, subjugation of superstitions as alibi,elevation of rodenticide as a domestic chivalry, he gives a Midas touch to all diurnal chores and converts them to comical anecdotes.One of these stories even provides a placebo stress buster to which the current
society specially the Facebook minglers are subjected to. It is about isolating a target by not inviting him in a social gathering and posting splashes in a social media to ensure the target feels crest fallen - a Neanderthal subjugation sinister practiced by modern marauders to establish their social imperialism,often becoming a prey to their own predatory traps.
“Happimess “ - I recommend and is a must read for those willing to shift social paradigm with a pinch of laughter.
He has an uncanny penchant for exploring the mundane traits of our mediocre lifestyles, which we have accepted and moved on. However Biswajit goes a step further extracting humours from these daily chores and presenting them in a ludicrous spread- “Happimess”.
As the backdrop is based on Indian middle class hobnobs, empathising ourselves to his experience adds to the initial engagement which makes it further gripping because of his crafty storytelling ability. Impact of loose connections of electrical appliances, being chased by Life Insurers, subjugation of superstitions as alibi,elevation of rodenticide as a domestic chivalry, he gives a Midas touch to all diurnal chores and converts them to comical anecdotes.One of these stories even provides a placebo stress buster to which the current
society specially the Facebook minglers are subjected to. It is about isolating a target by not inviting him in a social gathering and posting splashes in a social media to ensure the target feels crest fallen - a Neanderthal subjugation sinister practiced by modern marauders to establish their social imperialism,often becoming a prey to their own predatory traps.
“Happimess “ - I recommend and is a must read for those willing to shift social paradigm with a pinch of laughter.
February 28, 2021
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a collection of 13 extraordinary short stories about ordinary people. The book is a short read; however, at times the wit and humour is so deep routed that the underlying meaning may take time to be grasped in a right manner.
Just two pages… and I got that hunch that the language of the book is of international standard. The author has used a good cast of vocabulary. Someone with very good command over the English language may go crazy with these stories. Terrifically placed with an immaculate dose of wit, hilarious moments, and surprising twists.
As I delved deep in the book, I could feel that the stories were neither rocket science nor tumultuously imagined, they were simple, like everyday occurrence. The author has great observation powers to weave a book on simple idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of people. I am sure there must be some people around his life – some of the stories sound spiraling off his experiences.
The stories sound connected but as you delve deep in the troubles of characters, you will feel that distinguished factor. It is a good collection to read and refresh mood. A reader might have mixed feelings about the book, those who love comedy movies and TV series will find it no less than a treasure chest. Well, I cannot say much about serious people.
On a flip side, not all stories are equally placed. But for sure around 50 percent stories are way great and immensely laced with wit, sarcasm, satire and all that material that could make one laugh for days. On a personal note, I enjoyed the collection, but, at times I had to reread some of the content and often checked word meanings on Google.
Stories about haggling, insurance agents, and faulty home appliances are way authentic yet grimly mocking without losing the sheen of humour. With so many reviews for this book, one thing comes out evidently that Biswajit Banerji is a promising author. I will recommend reading this collection at natural pace to get the most out of it.
Just two pages… and I got that hunch that the language of the book is of international standard. The author has used a good cast of vocabulary. Someone with very good command over the English language may go crazy with these stories. Terrifically placed with an immaculate dose of wit, hilarious moments, and surprising twists.
As I delved deep in the book, I could feel that the stories were neither rocket science nor tumultuously imagined, they were simple, like everyday occurrence. The author has great observation powers to weave a book on simple idiosyncrasies and peculiarities of people. I am sure there must be some people around his life – some of the stories sound spiraling off his experiences.
The stories sound connected but as you delve deep in the troubles of characters, you will feel that distinguished factor. It is a good collection to read and refresh mood. A reader might have mixed feelings about the book, those who love comedy movies and TV series will find it no less than a treasure chest. Well, I cannot say much about serious people.
On a flip side, not all stories are equally placed. But for sure around 50 percent stories are way great and immensely laced with wit, sarcasm, satire and all that material that could make one laugh for days. On a personal note, I enjoyed the collection, but, at times I had to reread some of the content and often checked word meanings on Google.
Stories about haggling, insurance agents, and faulty home appliances are way authentic yet grimly mocking without losing the sheen of humour. With so many reviews for this book, one thing comes out evidently that Biswajit Banerji is a promising author. I will recommend reading this collection at natural pace to get the most out of it.
May 25, 2021
HAPPIMESS
By – BISWAJIT BANERJI
Format – Kindle Edition/ Paperback available too
Print Length – 150 Pages
Genre – Satire
My Ratings – 4.8/5
Biswajit Banerji's Happimess: A Compilation of Tickling Humour and Prickling Satire is a work of Satire. I've reviewed a lot of fiction, children's books, and poems, but this is the first time I've reviewed a novel of this genre. Also, I believe that these types of books are important at this time because we are all affected by the pandemic, and it is a book that will make its readers laugh while also uplift their mood.
First and foremost, I am fascinated by the title; the author has chosen it beautifully, and I have added one more word to my vocabulary. The book cover is appealing; one can see the cartoons and guess what the book contains, which makes it appropriate. A smooth narration is essential for making every book engaging, and this book is one of a kind.
The book is made up of 13 short stories that extract humor and satire from experiences or objects that we encounter on a daily basis. The humorous narration revolves around everyday people who get strangely entangled in their day-to-day dealings. The tangled circumstances are all of their own making, and frantic attempts to wriggle out only makes the matter messy.
Oh!CD and The Ease of Inflicting Insult Without Injury are two of my favorite stories. All of the others were decent as well, but I was entertained by Oh!CD because it was very relatable in a few scenarios. All of the stories surprised me because they had relatable aspects that made them feel genuine. In brief, pick up this smart, humorous short story collection and enjoy your next fling.
Overall, it was one of my favorite books to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. I'd like to thank the author for creating a book that will make people laugh. A highly recommended novel for those looking for something new to read that will make them excited, a book that will keep you hooked. Can be used to give someone as a gift, as gifting happiness is the most important thing.
Happy Reading
By – BISWAJIT BANERJI
Format – Kindle Edition/ Paperback available too
Print Length – 150 Pages
Genre – Satire
My Ratings – 4.8/5
Biswajit Banerji's Happimess: A Compilation of Tickling Humour and Prickling Satire is a work of Satire. I've reviewed a lot of fiction, children's books, and poems, but this is the first time I've reviewed a novel of this genre. Also, I believe that these types of books are important at this time because we are all affected by the pandemic, and it is a book that will make its readers laugh while also uplift their mood.
First and foremost, I am fascinated by the title; the author has chosen it beautifully, and I have added one more word to my vocabulary. The book cover is appealing; one can see the cartoons and guess what the book contains, which makes it appropriate. A smooth narration is essential for making every book engaging, and this book is one of a kind.
The book is made up of 13 short stories that extract humor and satire from experiences or objects that we encounter on a daily basis. The humorous narration revolves around everyday people who get strangely entangled in their day-to-day dealings. The tangled circumstances are all of their own making, and frantic attempts to wriggle out only makes the matter messy.
Oh!CD and The Ease of Inflicting Insult Without Injury are two of my favorite stories. All of the others were decent as well, but I was entertained by Oh!CD because it was very relatable in a few scenarios. All of the stories surprised me because they had relatable aspects that made them feel genuine. In brief, pick up this smart, humorous short story collection and enjoy your next fling.
Overall, it was one of my favorite books to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. I'd like to thank the author for creating a book that will make people laugh. A highly recommended novel for those looking for something new to read that will make them excited, a book that will keep you hooked. Can be used to give someone as a gift, as gifting happiness is the most important thing.
Happy Reading
July 23, 2024
Book Name- “Happimess”
Author- @biswajithumourauthor
Publisher- @locksleyhallpublishing
Genre- Humour
.
“The women change tack and start speaking in a universally feared language whose vocabulary consists almost entirely of injectives, jibes and innuendos - all topped up with generous sarcasm.”
This book of humour is interesting at its peak consisting of 13 chapters. We have all heard about happiness but what is a happimess? Well! It’s a situation or atmosphere where the sarcasm plays a huge roll and actually makes sense in the reality. It takes a lot of intelligence to have a satirical outlook at the things we find around us and skills when you try to pen it down. My favourite chapters from the book are- “From bad to sordid”, “The Haggler’s Manual”, “with due respect to “self-respect” and “the dangers of risk-aversion”. I totally enjoyed the sarcasm with a thought process that we all can relate to while reading these chapters. There’s a line in the book where it goes like- “He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand”. The author has portrayed the characters intensely without making it boring. Short story writings are actually difficult as the characterisation is not so long to understand deeply but here the author has done an incredible job by doing it so well. The literary skills and vocabulary are at its best. Mr. Das a very funny character of this novel with a different disorder that created laughter through his disease. Infact he has to be one of my favourite character. With uproarious tales of failed farewell speeches, insulting neighbours and a wild cast of characters, “Happimess” keeps you involved and mesmerised. It’s a reminder that life’s messiness is best navigated with humor. Just drown yourself into this fizzy concoction of inventive thought and fanciful behaviour for an unforgettable ride towards humour. This is a very interesting and different kind of book I have read after a long time and I enjoyed it thoroughly. ✨
Review- 4.5
Author- @biswajithumourauthor
Publisher- @locksleyhallpublishing
Genre- Humour
.
“The women change tack and start speaking in a universally feared language whose vocabulary consists almost entirely of injectives, jibes and innuendos - all topped up with generous sarcasm.”
This book of humour is interesting at its peak consisting of 13 chapters. We have all heard about happiness but what is a happimess? Well! It’s a situation or atmosphere where the sarcasm plays a huge roll and actually makes sense in the reality. It takes a lot of intelligence to have a satirical outlook at the things we find around us and skills when you try to pen it down. My favourite chapters from the book are- “From bad to sordid”, “The Haggler’s Manual”, “with due respect to “self-respect” and “the dangers of risk-aversion”. I totally enjoyed the sarcasm with a thought process that we all can relate to while reading these chapters. There’s a line in the book where it goes like- “He made the same mistake that the world in general frequently commits – thinking that farewell and welfare are brothers in arms and always go hand in hand”. The author has portrayed the characters intensely without making it boring. Short story writings are actually difficult as the characterisation is not so long to understand deeply but here the author has done an incredible job by doing it so well. The literary skills and vocabulary are at its best. Mr. Das a very funny character of this novel with a different disorder that created laughter through his disease. Infact he has to be one of my favourite character. With uproarious tales of failed farewell speeches, insulting neighbours and a wild cast of characters, “Happimess” keeps you involved and mesmerised. It’s a reminder that life’s messiness is best navigated with humor. Just drown yourself into this fizzy concoction of inventive thought and fanciful behaviour for an unforgettable ride towards humour. This is a very interesting and different kind of book I have read after a long time and I enjoyed it thoroughly. ✨
Review- 4.5
June 26, 2021
Happimess is a compilation of 13 stories that are hilarious and sarcastic to the extent that you don't realize if they are just stories or mirrors of reality. The stories revolve around ordinary day to day chores and how we human beings respond to them. The stories are narrated in the first person and they are simple to follow through.
These stories are best for tea time. Grab a snack and read one story daily and see if you still can't find a reason to laugh because this isn't going to transpire. In my viewpoint, the stories revolve around an influential point that we need to analyze in our ways. Like there is a story about self-respect and then the author would weave a story about insults and how we automatically take it personally that some would even go to the extent of holding grudges for years to come.
I have always been impressed by authors who have a knack for writing things with keen observation. I mean, wow! I like reading details, especially when those details are well put together and fascinating to read. Anything elongated and monotonous is not my type.
I liked how the author has weaved all the stories that made me laugh even when I couldn't relate to any of them. It was like watching a comedy show with perfect directions and punch lines. I am not even kidding.
I had some difficulty, in the beginning, adjusting to the writing style of the author but as soon as I caught it, there was no stopping. I was giggling and grinning pages after pages.
With that being said, this book isn't for everyone. Those who are highly interested in satire or those who have read short stories, soaked in rich vocabulary and so much sarcasm that is often hard to catch, can only read and appreciate this work of fiction. If you would like to read short stories that can make you smile then this is the one. This will crack you with laughter because some of the stories connect you with them and you see yourself agreeing to everything that the narrator says. Go for it.
These stories are best for tea time. Grab a snack and read one story daily and see if you still can't find a reason to laugh because this isn't going to transpire. In my viewpoint, the stories revolve around an influential point that we need to analyze in our ways. Like there is a story about self-respect and then the author would weave a story about insults and how we automatically take it personally that some would even go to the extent of holding grudges for years to come.
I have always been impressed by authors who have a knack for writing things with keen observation. I mean, wow! I like reading details, especially when those details are well put together and fascinating to read. Anything elongated and monotonous is not my type.
I liked how the author has weaved all the stories that made me laugh even when I couldn't relate to any of them. It was like watching a comedy show with perfect directions and punch lines. I am not even kidding.
I had some difficulty, in the beginning, adjusting to the writing style of the author but as soon as I caught it, there was no stopping. I was giggling and grinning pages after pages.
With that being said, this book isn't for everyone. Those who are highly interested in satire or those who have read short stories, soaked in rich vocabulary and so much sarcasm that is often hard to catch, can only read and appreciate this work of fiction. If you would like to read short stories that can make you smile then this is the one. This will crack you with laughter because some of the stories connect you with them and you see yourself agreeing to everything that the narrator says. Go for it.
July 10, 2020
True humour & satire can be found in great abundance all around us & within us, even in much smaller things.
My neighbour is dead.
Pure good news is hard to come by these days.
Just when God, having laboured so hard to create the planet earth, had briefly dropped his guard, he had come under a diabolic spell cast by the devil. In those moments, out of the many troubles that he had thrown-in to make life miserable for the humans, there was apparently innocuous & non-descript disease - OCD!
This book is very funny. It comprises a total of 13 short stories. Each & every story is absolutely hilarious. What makes this novel interesting is the uncanny representation it provides in regard to human nature. The resemblance it throws upon the behaviour of humans in general at various situations is described in a very gentle yet cheeky way. It's writing style is also determined by a realistic approach with a point of view subtle enough to capture every finite essence. That's why it leaves a good impression in proportion to the little content at hand. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed this much over a short book. With a good command over vocabulary & a strong narration such as this, the novel sparks a joy in my heart when I finished it. Also, the small size it offers enables us to finish it very quickly.
My favourite stories among all are:
'humans & electricals',
'neighbours beware',
'retired hurt' &
'a farewell through arms'.
Overall, an excellent novel for refreshing our turbulent minds!
The stories here pick out humour & satire from everyday situations. Even the end is justified accordingly in such a way that even the absent-minded ones will be able grasp & smile happily.
My neighbour is dead.
Pure good news is hard to come by these days.
Just when God, having laboured so hard to create the planet earth, had briefly dropped his guard, he had come under a diabolic spell cast by the devil. In those moments, out of the many troubles that he had thrown-in to make life miserable for the humans, there was apparently innocuous & non-descript disease - OCD!
This book is very funny. It comprises a total of 13 short stories. Each & every story is absolutely hilarious. What makes this novel interesting is the uncanny representation it provides in regard to human nature. The resemblance it throws upon the behaviour of humans in general at various situations is described in a very gentle yet cheeky way. It's writing style is also determined by a realistic approach with a point of view subtle enough to capture every finite essence. That's why it leaves a good impression in proportion to the little content at hand. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed this much over a short book. With a good command over vocabulary & a strong narration such as this, the novel sparks a joy in my heart when I finished it. Also, the small size it offers enables us to finish it very quickly.
My favourite stories among all are:
'humans & electricals',
'neighbours beware',
'retired hurt' &
'a farewell through arms'.
Overall, an excellent novel for refreshing our turbulent minds!
The stories here pick out humour & satire from everyday situations. Even the end is justified accordingly in such a way that even the absent-minded ones will be able grasp & smile happily.
May 26, 2021
Laughing is an excellent way to reduce stress in our lives, and can help you to cope with and survive a stressful lifestyle.
Writing humour is not everyone’s cup of tea. It takes a different level of effort to make someone laugh. Biswajit Banerjee did that very beautifully with his collection of short stories in Happimess. The stories are a pure joy, the writing style subtle, not exaggerated at all which is important for any person sharing humour. The stories are hilarious, relatable and so funny. They are an ‘experience’ in itself. In this situation of pandemic and negativity where we all are dealing with some sort of stress and sadness, this book really made my day. I can pick this book and read it again and again whenever I need a laughing session
This collection of sarcastic, humorous stories is so entertaining. An extremely fun and enjoyable read, 'Happimess' is a collection of stories that are witty, humorous as well as thought-provoking. This book can put a smile on your face even when you don't feel like smiling. The book has 12 stories, each standing out on its own, with a different sense of humor and sarcasm. What I liked the most about this book is that the stories are inspired from our daily lives. This makes each situation very realistic and relatable. While reading, you tend to develop a connection with the people and places mentioned in the stories. Each story is woven with a pinch of satire, which makes it extremely intriguing. These days everyone needs some kind of relaxation and I really want you all to have a look to this book and enjoy. This book will be the perfect one to get stress free. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking for something that can make you laugh even in difficult situations.
Writing humour is not everyone’s cup of tea. It takes a different level of effort to make someone laugh. Biswajit Banerjee did that very beautifully with his collection of short stories in Happimess. The stories are a pure joy, the writing style subtle, not exaggerated at all which is important for any person sharing humour. The stories are hilarious, relatable and so funny. They are an ‘experience’ in itself. In this situation of pandemic and negativity where we all are dealing with some sort of stress and sadness, this book really made my day. I can pick this book and read it again and again whenever I need a laughing session
This collection of sarcastic, humorous stories is so entertaining. An extremely fun and enjoyable read, 'Happimess' is a collection of stories that are witty, humorous as well as thought-provoking. This book can put a smile on your face even when you don't feel like smiling. The book has 12 stories, each standing out on its own, with a different sense of humor and sarcasm. What I liked the most about this book is that the stories are inspired from our daily lives. This makes each situation very realistic and relatable. While reading, you tend to develop a connection with the people and places mentioned in the stories. Each story is woven with a pinch of satire, which makes it extremely intriguing. These days everyone needs some kind of relaxation and I really want you all to have a look to this book and enjoy. This book will be the perfect one to get stress free. I strongly recommend this book if you are looking for something that can make you laugh even in difficult situations.
February 12, 2021
Happimess is a collection of 13 short stories which includes different stories depicting our society and us in general. These humorous unique stories will make the reader laugh and change make their mood refreshing.
The book delivers what it promises to. Stories are so brilliantly written, loved the word play and personification at so many places.
My personal favourites are "Human and electricals' "from bad to sordid" and "A farewell through Arms"
The first story 'Human and electricals shows the struggle of a man keep alive is dying iron and how this incident affects his marriage life. Next story is 'from bad to sordid' Mr. Das is suffering from a rare disease and due to this, he lost his promotion however, this disease comes with various perk which made everyone jealous. And there are so many stories in this book.
In "A farewell through Arms" is an awesome story, where a man has to give a farewell speech to Mr. Saha. However, his problem of not being able to sustain positive thoughts about anyone led big consciences in his life.
The author has put 100% efforts because each story reflects perfection. These stories are humorous and also have a deeper meaning.
The author has used appropriate words which increases the beauty of the stories. The author's thought behind this whole concept was amazing. This book is written in a creative manners as it portrays different scenarios of our modern society. The narration is beautiful, the cover is lovely. A well written and grappling story that keeps you hooked till the last page. And the language is simple and effective and it can be enjoyed by every type of readers.
The book delivers what it promises to. Stories are so brilliantly written, loved the word play and personification at so many places.
My personal favourites are "Human and electricals' "from bad to sordid" and "A farewell through Arms"
The first story 'Human and electricals shows the struggle of a man keep alive is dying iron and how this incident affects his marriage life. Next story is 'from bad to sordid' Mr. Das is suffering from a rare disease and due to this, he lost his promotion however, this disease comes with various perk which made everyone jealous. And there are so many stories in this book.
In "A farewell through Arms" is an awesome story, where a man has to give a farewell speech to Mr. Saha. However, his problem of not being able to sustain positive thoughts about anyone led big consciences in his life.
The author has put 100% efforts because each story reflects perfection. These stories are humorous and also have a deeper meaning.
The author has used appropriate words which increases the beauty of the stories. The author's thought behind this whole concept was amazing. This book is written in a creative manners as it portrays different scenarios of our modern society. The narration is beautiful, the cover is lovely. A well written and grappling story that keeps you hooked till the last page. And the language is simple and effective and it can be enjoyed by every type of readers.
June 27, 2023
Want to giggle while reading? Then Must go with this book
As implied by the book's title, it is a blend of chaos and humor. This book is filled with messiness, the author talk about all the daily life scenarios and creates the reason to laugh from them.
As everyone knows at the end of fiscal year, insurance agents start poking for the renewals of policies. Usually when we get so many calls form them or poked by them, we used to get frustrated and get out of our mind but here the author makes it as a funnier situation, the way he said he went in the hilly area away from his native city when insurance agents are on prowl to his place in search of easy meat to fulfill their annual quota of life insurance policies. The best part was when author said these agents knows even better about his children their date of birth, their education and he seems to know the most about his wife and her feminine diseases.
He added that before his marriage, he had engaged detective just to confirm that his woman’s brother had nothing to do with life insurance policies. But a couple of years later he opted to become an agent.
Toughening of self-respect is something author have practiced hard to a degree such that it doesn’t get scratched easily but the first time it got dented when his wife praised their neighbor for his skills in killing domestic rats.
Mixture of sarcasm and joy will going to make you HAPPIMESS.
Likewise book is filled with lot of tales to laugh and discovering joy in unexpected places.
Through this book the author presents his perspective on accepting disorder, delighting in flaws, and finding contentment in the muck of daily life.
As implied by the book's title, it is a blend of chaos and humor. This book is filled with messiness, the author talk about all the daily life scenarios and creates the reason to laugh from them.
As everyone knows at the end of fiscal year, insurance agents start poking for the renewals of policies. Usually when we get so many calls form them or poked by them, we used to get frustrated and get out of our mind but here the author makes it as a funnier situation, the way he said he went in the hilly area away from his native city when insurance agents are on prowl to his place in search of easy meat to fulfill their annual quota of life insurance policies. The best part was when author said these agents knows even better about his children their date of birth, their education and he seems to know the most about his wife and her feminine diseases.
He added that before his marriage, he had engaged detective just to confirm that his woman’s brother had nothing to do with life insurance policies. But a couple of years later he opted to become an agent.
Toughening of self-respect is something author have practiced hard to a degree such that it doesn’t get scratched easily but the first time it got dented when his wife praised their neighbor for his skills in killing domestic rats.
Mixture of sarcasm and joy will going to make you HAPPIMESS.
Likewise book is filled with lot of tales to laugh and discovering joy in unexpected places.
Through this book the author presents his perspective on accepting disorder, delighting in flaws, and finding contentment in the muck of daily life.
April 5, 2021
"Laughter is a therapy"
I believe we've all read/heard something similar at some stage in our lives. Biswajit Banerji's HAPPIMESS is a compilation of satirical humorous stories from around the world about average people like us, simple stories, and daily problems. Every story has a secret underlying cause that is well-executed.
After reading two really sad and disappointing books, I was in desperate need of a light and humorous read, so I picked this one up. And believe me when I say this was a novel that made me laugh out loud. I believe that the humour and satire in this book would appeal to a selected group of readers who enjoy thought-provoking humour.
This is a collection of 13 short stories, and believe me when I say that each one will surprise you and make you laugh out loud. The everyday mishaps are portrayed in such a unique and sarcastic way that I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one sitting.
Some of my most favorite and hilarious stories are:
1. "Neighbors Beware."
2. "With due respect to 'Self respect'.
3. " A matter of life (insurance) and death."
If you enjoy sarcasm and humour, I strongly advise you to pick this as your next read. 💯
Also, I'd like to express my gratitude to the author for providing me with a signed edition. ❤️
I believe we've all read/heard something similar at some stage in our lives. Biswajit Banerji's HAPPIMESS is a compilation of satirical humorous stories from around the world about average people like us, simple stories, and daily problems. Every story has a secret underlying cause that is well-executed.
After reading two really sad and disappointing books, I was in desperate need of a light and humorous read, so I picked this one up. And believe me when I say this was a novel that made me laugh out loud. I believe that the humour and satire in this book would appeal to a selected group of readers who enjoy thought-provoking humour.
This is a collection of 13 short stories, and believe me when I say that each one will surprise you and make you laugh out loud. The everyday mishaps are portrayed in such a unique and sarcastic way that I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one sitting.
Some of my most favorite and hilarious stories are:
1. "Neighbors Beware."
2. "With due respect to 'Self respect'.
3. " A matter of life (insurance) and death."
If you enjoy sarcasm and humour, I strongly advise you to pick this as your next read. 💯
Also, I'd like to express my gratitude to the author for providing me with a signed edition. ❤️
July 19, 2021
"Toughening up my self-respect is something I have practiced hard"
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a wonderful collection of 13 witty stories.
Fankly speaking, the book’s writing styles bloomed with the similarly beautiful cover. Reading this book will give you sheer joy and some boost in achieving wit through humours.
The book is intriguing from the blurb itself. The stories are relatable to real situations from our self-respect to bidding farewell. They makes mockery of our disdain, the plots have some tongue-in-cheek, sardonic, sarcastic, and nail-biting ecstasy.
"They don't understand that given the way our bodies have adjusted themselves irrevocably to adulteration,pure foodstuff can really harm us". - this line is enough to sum up the witty humour written exquisitely.
The book all-in-one contains humour, wit, creativity, and intelligence, various symbolism which lay the foundation for the rest of the stories.
The stories are mostly narrated through first person narrative. They are lucid and heart-warming. The stories are appealing to the readers for their simplistic approach towards our fundamental aspects of life.
My favourite story :
A FAREWELL THROUGH ARMS
The satires and humours have a wide range of application on outlandish diseases,diehard hagglers or a botched farewell speech. In each story, the readers will find a new sort of technique to smile.
Hope the author will come out with another such excellent book soon. Till then stay happy with Happimess.
Happimess by Biswajit Banerji is a wonderful collection of 13 witty stories.
Fankly speaking, the book’s writing styles bloomed with the similarly beautiful cover. Reading this book will give you sheer joy and some boost in achieving wit through humours.
The book is intriguing from the blurb itself. The stories are relatable to real situations from our self-respect to bidding farewell. They makes mockery of our disdain, the plots have some tongue-in-cheek, sardonic, sarcastic, and nail-biting ecstasy.
"They don't understand that given the way our bodies have adjusted themselves irrevocably to adulteration,pure foodstuff can really harm us". - this line is enough to sum up the witty humour written exquisitely.
The book all-in-one contains humour, wit, creativity, and intelligence, various symbolism which lay the foundation for the rest of the stories.
The stories are mostly narrated through first person narrative. They are lucid and heart-warming. The stories are appealing to the readers for their simplistic approach towards our fundamental aspects of life.
My favourite story :
A FAREWELL THROUGH ARMS
The satires and humours have a wide range of application on outlandish diseases,diehard hagglers or a botched farewell speech. In each story, the readers will find a new sort of technique to smile.
Hope the author will come out with another such excellent book soon. Till then stay happy with Happimess.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews