Mischievous Memoirs

Col "Gora" Sarkar's book kept me laughing, a much-needed respite in these Covid times...his narration of so many humorous incidents over such a vast canvas, right from the innocent days at NDA, Kharadvasla and on to Kashmir, Nagaland and Sri Lanka, kept me glued to the book till it's very end. His recall of even small incidents, events and names is amazing. Very well written and an easy read, this book is recommended for armed forces officers and those who would like to know more about the lighter side of the armed forces of India. Kudos to the author. Looking forward to his next book if he so chooses to regale us further.

If you wish to escape from the modern netflix and instagram chaos to the leisurely charm and the innocence of the yesteryears with the idyllic defence forces background then this makes a compulsive read. Light hearted and fun this book with short chapters illustrates the author’s childhood mischiefs and transcends into a more mature outlook during his adventures in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, The north east etc. We can only hope this is the first amongst many from Gora Sarkar.

The book transports you to the author's childhood and it sort of reminds you of your own mischievous childhood. In these tough times, this books acts like a balm because sometimes you need to remember that you were a child once and life was that simple. Recommended for everyone:)

Mischievous memoirs is such a feel-good, candid narration of interesting anecdotes. It took me down memory lane several times with recollections of mischieves from my own childhood, while I relished the vivid imagery created through Mr. Gora Sarkar's accounts. It is a lovely read. I lapped up the pages in a day. Right from the innocent childhood memoirs to the anecdotes from his army life, it's a simply written beautifull book. Totally recommended.

Very well scripted, simple and free flowing language with translation from French wherever used. The next edition could be with appropriate caricatures/ cartoon sketches to make the memoirs more mischievous. A suggestion is to review the opening paragraphs of some of the memoirs to avoid repetition.

Easy to read through stories & anecdotes. Very interesting style of writing, and it perfectly fits the book title "Mischievous memoirs". These are real life happenings in an Army officer's initial life & during the career. Worth reading.

Guys, here it is. Wit & humour. Written in lucid English, plain & simple, brevity. Author Col. Gora Sarkar, a multi-faceted, person, ace at every thing, has unique style of narration, in bullet format. Impeccable. Must read.

A must read. Very soothing & rejuvenates Took me back in time. It’s good to be naughty. The author has conveyed his lessons through small stories

The author has succeeded in painting his childhood with a brush of childlike innocence which every reader can easily connect with. I developed an instant connection with the author as I too grew up at home with my three brothers with I too being the third and our pranks were as good.The anecdotes of children’s innocence of marriage at the beginning of the holidays, tickling and kissing followed by baby crawling from beneath the bed, divorce at the end of the holidays with the baby disappearing beneath the bed; Franco-English battle; chocolate deprivation; census enumerator risking his life; holy-dip in the pond; the (un)parliamentary debate – all stand testimony to the author’s ability to recall the incidents in his growing up years with such finesse and humour. I felt it was as realistic as it could be.Incidents of a soldier’s diplomacy at its best is displayed with a peg of Sacramental Wine that made two warring sides – the Catholics and the Protestants – come to truce – especially if they are Mallus , that too preaching amongst Nagas. Postponing the cow slaughter in Sri Lankan Army camp to respect the sentiments of his soldiers establishes it further. Ensuring that the French Brigadier’s wife netted a good bargain with the Delhi jeweller is another.The author has displayed his humaneness and love for fellow human beings through his description of the mental state of people of a conflict ridden zone, first Rakhi, dealing with the rudeness of the American Army officer; the parting advise by his helper at the Indian Military Academy to be like Netaji, empathy towards the Pakistani Prisoners of War; ensuring that the girls did not get hurt during a hockey match.The most important lesson for a child (and also for an adult) what the book brings out are: ‘When you grow up, I don’t care if you don’t earn a lot of money, but you must be scrupulously honest.” “The most important quality a boy must possess is character.”

The title of Gora Sarcar's book Mischievous Memoirs can be misleading. While it describes episodes of mischief among small children, young adults in boarding school, and military professionals on the front lines of warfare, it never loses an opportunity to surface core values of "honor, duty, country" that emerge from Sarkar's expert insights into what these seemingly innocent episodes are really telling us. Lessons about honesty, integrity and empathy are carefully woven into each story. Sarkar's prose style is simple (i.e. effective), and he deploys his mastery of the English language (undoubtedly learned at the school where he and I were classmates) with a sharp ear for dialogue, a keen eye for detail, and a magical sense of the moment of epiphany. The endings of his episodes are masterful: they are deft brush strokes that make the reader think, long after the story has ended.I loved this book, and I would recommend it as required reading for children and other adults!