‘The Nine: Stories of Asymptotic Lives’ penned by Dr. Vishal Golay, published by BukAnt, is a collection of nine real life incidents as seen through the eyes of a nephrologist. The tales presented here offer a glimpse into the ‘ethical dilemmas’, ‘emotional struggles’, and ‘triumphs’ experienced within the medical field. The characters are richly developed, and the narratives are both gripping and poignant, providing a deep understanding of the human side of medicine. The stories have an uncanny resemblance keeping alive a singular idea in different setups; a novelty witnessed in a novella. A crafty book, indeed. ‘The Nine’, which can be subtitled Stories of Medicine and Humanity, is a compelling collection of short stories that delves into the lives of healthcare professionals and their patients. These are stories of desire, contemplation, social evil and above all hope. There are stories within stories. The power of the stories lies in its veracity, lucidity of narration and igneous imagination. Dr. Golay’s stories showcase his ability to blend medical knowledge with profound storytelling. By skilfully employing medical terminology and literary allusions, author weaves the tales of redemption and self-discovery, using nested narratives and rich symbolism. Born in Gangtok, the capital city of the beautiful Himalayan state of Sikkim, Dr. Golay is revered as one of Siliguri’s premier nephrologists. He boasts a notable academic background with an MD in Internal Medicine from PGIMER, Chandigarh, DNB in General Medicine, and DM in Nephrology from IPGMER, Kolkata. He is regarded as one of the early nephrologists to settle in Siliguri, establishing the foundations of quality kidney care and dialysis in this region. His literary interests are not confined to fiction alone; he is also known for his insightful essays and reflective pieces on a variety of topics, ranging from philosophy to cultural studies. His writing often delves into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, connection, and transformation.
