This short novella set in North East India in 1945 is an easy and pleasant enough read, but it failed to really engage me. It’s the story of Joya, a fourteen-year-old girl who comes of age against a background of political upheaval and turmoil. If you don’t already know about the historical context, there’s little to help you in the narrative, but it’s not totally necessary to understand fully what’s going on to enjoy seeing Joya cope with the sudden disappearance of her father and the fact that she now has to leave school and go to work to help support her mother. The snake sections didn’t seem to me to add anything to the story, except perhaps to give some cultural context. A slight work but not one without merit.

This was a terrific little tale with poignant writing that offered a look into a different world. I would recommend it.

"The Two-Tailed Snake" by Nod Ghosh is a historical fiction novella set in Northeastern India in the 1940s. Told through the eyes of teenage Joya, the story follows Joya and her mother in the time following her father’s mysterious disappearance. In many ways, the familial turmoil of Joya’s missing father mimics the chaos of the nation at the time. Despite the many negative events throughout the course of the story, Joya never gives up hoping that her father is still alive and will somehow return to their family.

Similar to “The Death of Comrade President” by Alain Mabanckou, the use of a child narrator amplifies both the confusion of the sociopolitical structures at the time as well as obfuscates facts that the adults of the story are aware of and trying to shield Joya from. The eponymous snake appears in Greek chorus style interludes that reminded me of “The Old Drift” by Namwali Serpell.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy quite literary-style narratives with a focus on the human stories behind large scale geopolitical events.

*DISCLAIMER: I received an eARC of this book from Fairlight Books through NetGalley for the purposes of providing an unbiased review.*

An interesting novella set in 1940s India about a young woman, Joya whose father goes missing. There’s also a few short chapters narrated by a snake adding some myth to the cultural and political themes.

Joya works hard at school, but the political situation in 1945 India becomes her reality. Her father's disappearance makes her more aware of what is happening in her world and how she will be affected by it.

This was an interestingly constructed and well characterized novella. A snake opens the book, discussing the ways snakes are maligned, used, but are also associated with gods. We then see adolescent Joya. She works hard in school, her parents love her though her mother sees school as much less important than her police officer father does.

Joya spends time with her much wealthier cousin Maia, and notes tension and possibly derision from her uncle whenever Joya visits. Joya's life is safe, happy, and her parents work hard to insulate her from the political situation in North East India in 1945.

Then, her father disappears, and Joya gets no answers from her mother. Is he dead? Did he leave? Joya is forced to leave school to work as she and her mother struggle financially. With all of her mother's non-answers, Joya doesn't fully believe her father is dead, and each night after work, slowly pieces together a suit for her father from scraps of fabric.

While this was well written, I found the author's description of the political situation to be murky at best. I have some understanding of what was happening during this period, but for someone with no knowledge of India's history, this lack of clarity could be frustrating.

I liked the snake sections, but I'm not sure if they added that much more to the story's themes than Joya's plot already did. The story is emotional as we go on Joya's journey, and I liked the ending, though I guessed a part of the mystery surrounding her father's disappearance.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Fairlight Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I am very fond of those books or movies that tell stories of Bengali (Assamese, in this case, but anyway) households. The title and the cover seemed very intriguing. But sadly, I couldn't follow the story of this book. I didn't understand what was going on, what it actually wanted to convey. It started well, but after a few chapters (chapters are short), it got a little dull.
In fact, it's not a full fledged story; it seems like a collection of mundane snippets of Joya and her friends' lives. I didn't really miss anything even if I skipped a chapter.
Thank you for the copy and sorry it didn't work for me.

The Two-Tailed Snake by Nod Ghosh is a haunting tale of love and loss. The life of a teenage girl collapsed upside down in the eyes of a political revolution.
Over the years, we read many partition stories, but I am recommending this one. The tumultuous impact of storytelling and soul piercing raw emotions of a teenager, is more than a visit down the history lane.
How excruciating it is to suffer the consequences of political affiliations, religion, and caste and lose everything you hold dear, without any exception to family and friends.
I recommend it to all.

Such a great novella..I only wish it had been longer. Love the myth and the storyline. Joya was a wonderful character.

This is an engaging historical fiction novella set in 1940’s India about Joya, a young protagonist whose life suddenly changes, which leaves her with many unanswered questions about her own family. It is very short so I don’t want to reveal too much.

It was well-written and it made me want to keep reading to find out how the story ends. However, I thought the historical context could have been described more, it was quite hazy. Also, I really liked the parts with the snakes but in the end it felt like something that was quite redundant in this story. Overall, I found this quite simple but engaging. If it were longer, I would have expected some more developed plot. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Fairlight Books for the e-arc.

•North East India, 1945

The book begins with insight of different kind of snakes and the fortune and misfortunes they bring depending on the type of snake. They are often connected with the deities in India. And those who are born in India, might already know the ancient beliefs.

Then Joya’s story’s begins with cultural insights. Joya’s parents always have quarrels and quandaries and her mother believes in a lot of superstitions like never give anyone money at night, never accept gift without refusing it, and never consume aubergine on the first Thursday of the month etc. While Joya plays with Maia and Yusef. Maia has her own secret. She is really close with her. There are so many Bengali cultural beliefs and description of Muslim culture as well. The festivals being celebrated in both the cultures. Also talking with the souls/spirits like ouija board. There are many thought provoking beliefs. I really like Durga puja (Deity worship)

In the later part, there is about Joya, her cousins and her family. Also her parents were harbouring a secret from her. There is use of so many Hindi words. I liked the book. It’s a short read.

Thank you Netgalley, Author and Publisher.

This was one of the most thought provoking novellas I have ever read.
Set in North East India in 1945 it is the story of young Joyas life.Carefree and well protected by her parents everything changes when her father disappears. Her mother never really says if he is dead or missing and it leaves the reader to read between the lines.Joya works in a factory to help sustain her mother and herself.
Vivid descriptions of life and culture are packed into this story.Short read but very well written.
Thankyou Netgalley and Fairlight books for this ARC