Book Review: Mock, Stalk and Quarrel

It has nothing to do with lock, stock and barrel, but Mock, Stalk and Quarrel is not a book that you get to read every other day. Each of the 29 stories raise the bar and take satire to another level.

The book was emanated from a nationwide contest conducted by Readomania to identify powerful voices that could wage an ideological war against issues that matter. Twenty-nine voices, indulgent, tolerant, amusing and witty, were chosen to create this impactful collection.

Each story has very light heartedly put across heavy subjects. Perhaps, that’s what satire is all about! Humour makes things easier.

The stories cover a lot of topics ranging from family matters, to political goof ups to media personalities, as well as show some routine issues in a new light.

We cannot choose our favourites, but yes, some titles appealed more than the others. To name a few, “Fifty shades of maids”, “Transferable Gods”, “The almost God”, “The samosa scam” and “Marriages are made in heaven” caught our eye first.

With one story portraying groom hunting in the most cynical way, to another one highlighting how dowry demands are still destroying families. Then we have a couple of stories highlighting dirty politics and corruption to some stories highlighting the nuances and manipulations happening in the media industry. This anthology has it all.

Overall, a good read to pep up your satire quotient.

But yeah, don’t complain if you start viewing everything from a satirical perspective when you wake up tomorrow.  We warned you!