Is Those Days (Sei Samay) by Sunil Gangopadhyay Worth Reading? Honest Review

Have you grown up hearing your parents talk about old Calcutta and a strange longing for Sunil Gangopadhyay's “Those Days”? If yes, then you may think a lot about- what’s the hype about this book? Why do people love this so much? You can only understand it by delving deeper.  

If you really have an interest in history and want to know what Bengal looked like in the 19th century, you should read this book at least once. Yes, it is a high-volume novel, but when you buy Those Days by Sunil Gangopadhyay, you will realize each page is worth the hype.

4 Core Reasons That Tell You Those Days Still Deserves Its Value  

Take You to Old Calcutta: 

The novel opens right in the middle of colonial Calcutta. Somewhere between the candle-lit rustic, unpaved courtyard and the middle of a wide, expansive, lush green field. It’s the time when the light of Western education has just begun to spread throughout the state. Sunil Gangapadhya’s writing doesn’t describe the period; it just takes you there, at that time. You feel like living every moment described in the book as you go through it.  

History Told Through Real People: 

This is the book where incidents are told by real people. That’s what makes this book the bestseller that you can’t put down easily. History is written here as a personal tale, which sometimes frustrates you when you look at the scenes Bengal faced during that era. It’s the best part of the book that hooks you slowly, then wraps you up completely. 

Show You Life-Transforming Stories: 

This book reveals two central threads. One is personal lives and emotional journeys; the other is the Renaissance in Bengal. The two rhythms go hand in hand, making the flow of the writing more interesting and engaging. The veteran author depicts many real figures of the contemporary period, such as reformers, poets, and freedom fighters. Sunil Gangopadhyay creates a perfect balance in this story in which it neither feels like too much of a personal journey nor like extreme historical backdrop. 

Old-Setting yet Surprisingly Comfortable: 

You may think an old setting means it must be too boring or just contain historical incidents of Bengal. To break this myth, buy “Those Days” by Sunil Gangopadhyay; you will definitely understand it’s one of those books that boost your mood even on bad days. In this book, you get the warmth from ordinary people’s lives, and at the same time it will ignite a fire within you when you read about the brutal torture people endured under British colonial rule. Those who love reading patriotic stories should also give this one a try, as it tells you how our freedom fighters suffered immensely and laid down their lives to secure our independence.  

Closing Thoughts 

Honestly, Those Days by Sunil Gangopadhyay fully deserves its reputation and a shelf in your classic book collection. This is because the book covers every point a good book should. Sunil Gangopadhyay is a far-sighted writer. When he wrote this book, he knew that people in future ages would obviously come and give it its value.  

But most importantly, where to buy this classic book? Buy it from Online College Street (OCS), a trusted online bookstore whose digital shelves contain many classic stories and rare finds like “Those Days” or even “Sei Samay,” the Bengali yet original version of this book.  

So, why wait long? Buy “Those Days” by Sunil Gangopadhyay, your own copy, and start reading it today.