The Will and Other Stories

Book Details
• Publisher: Sahitya Akademi
• Author: J.P. Das and Ashok K. Mohanty
• Language: English
• Pages: 211
• Edition: 2007
• Cover: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788126025466
• Dimensions: 23 cm x 15 cm (9.0 x 6.0 inches)
• Weight: 400 gm

About the Book
This collection presents eleven compelling short stories by J.P. Das, translated from the original Oriya into English by Ashok K. Mohanty. The stories explore the complex relationship between writing and social power within a provincial milieu. With a distinctive perspective on social relations, institutions, and cultural values, the narratives are marked by irony, sharp observation, and a self-reflective tone. The author’s style—wry, clipped, and clinical—offers a thoughtful examination of society while maintaining a subtle yet powerful narrative voice.

The stories cover a wide range of themes, including literary power structures, women asserting independence, political culture, and the intersections between fiction and reality. Several stories focus on writers and the profession of writing, presenting a deglamourised and often ironic view of literary life. Others highlight women seeking control over their personal and professional identities, while some explore mystery, coincidence, and cultural life in Odisha. Through these varied themes, the collection reveals the ideological and social implications of writing and storytelling.

J.P. Das, a poet, playwright, fiction writer, and art historian, is known for modernising the Oriya short story by expanding its thematic scope and adopting innovative narrative approaches. His works have been widely translated and recognized with prestigious honours including the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Saraswati Samman. Translator Ashok K. Mohanty, a scholar and critic, brings clarity and nuance to the English rendering, preserving the original tone and stylistic precision of the stories.