In the Bengali literature lexicon, creations cover love, drama, tragedy, comedy, and more. More importantly, the sheer volume of written words Bengali authors have dedicated to one of the most traumatic eras in recent history.
The Partition that sliced a community into two, and the subsequent turbulence compelled the writers to use their words to create a fictional world that was never too far from reality. Even the movements before Independence resulted in stellar works. This list today ranks some of the best in the genre. So, if you want to buy Bengali books online and start a collection, make sure to add this genre!
Revolutionary Fiction: Some of the Best Bengali Books To Read
Pather Panchali by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
A glimpse into rural life, rich with details, this book is Bibhutibhushan’s magnum opus. While Pather Panchali is merely the first part of a luminous trilogy, most readers haven’t moved on from Durga and her story. The story also reached global recognition and appreciation, thanks to Satyajit Ray’s award-winning movies based on this trilogy. Renowned filmmaker Wes Anderson even acknowledged the movie’s influence on his work!
Purbo-Paschim by Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay has an incredible bibliography, and among his many creations, Purbo-Paschim remains at the top of everyone’s minds. This book follows three generations of a Bengali family as they deal with the Partition and its aftermath. Strewn across Bangladesh, West Bengal, and elsewhere, the characters witness the way Bengali society changes. They witness how love for the nation and oneself also evolves along the way. This novel will captivate you completely. Once you start, you won’t want to stop!
Srikanta by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Readers of this tale still debate just how autobiographical it is, so we shall leave it to you to decide! In the meantime, Srikanta is one of Chattopadhyay’s most immersive creations. No one created female characters like him, even if he was a product of his time. They are individuals with agency, even in the backdrop of less-than-ideal conditions. In Srikanta, we follow our titular character on his life’s journey, forever changed by the women he meets. He loves, gets his heart broken, and emerges as a different man. This is a classic, easily found on most online Bengali bookstores that no reader should miss!
Byomkesh Samagra by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
Bengalis and their love for fictional detectives need to be researched! And it definitely didn’t start with Feluda. The credit goes to the many who came before him, particularly our Satyaneshi. Written against the backdrop of the independence struggle (and subsequent freedom), Byomkesh Bakshi shines bright, even after nearly a century. The crimes are unique, the criminals almost too smart, and the denouement by our detective leaves us breathless. No wonder it has held so many Bengali readers captive to this day and age. And still ranks in the list of best-selling Bengali books!
Gora by Rabindranath Tagore
This is among the best novels detailing the rise of rampant nationalism during a time of intense spiritual revivals. And all of this is set against the moral conundrums faced by the protagonist, Gormohan, and his best friend, Binoy. These two men navigate love and friendship against the backdrop of social reforms and identity, modern ideas, and Hindu customs. Gora is an epic due to its social content. But it’s also celebrated as a brilliant tale of conflict, resolution, self-searching, and self-discovery.
Durbeen by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
From the sensitive and powerful pen of Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Durbeen began its life as a weekly story published in the Desh newspaper for 2 years. This novel is a commendable attempt at capturing the changes in social life, spanning the late 1920s to the 1980s. It follows the lives of three protagonists from three generations, and it’s not just their personal story. It’s about the diversity and intrigue of the larger context of the novel. In this two-part novel, the past and the present are united uniquely.
Building a Bengali Fiction Collection
How do you build your collection of Bengali classics like those mentioned? Well, there’s always College Street! However, if you don’t want to brave the humidity outside, you can always buy books online in India from the comfort of your home. There are many such websites, especially renowned ones like Oxford Bookstore. Building that collection is really easy!
While there are many more such stories, we have merely collected some of the best ones in the genre. These tales depict the mastery of the authors in blending personal reflection with a larger social context. That’s why, if you are intent on starting your collection of Bengali books, you cannot miss these! Happy reading!
