‘The Greatest Stories from the Northeast Ever Told’: A fine showcase for emerging writers
· Scroll
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Short story anthologies featuring authors from India’s Northeast have seen a steady, certain growth in the Indian literary market. Many of these anthologies contain stories by authors who are familiar household names for readers of the region, giving little to no room to emerging voices. This is not the case with The Greatest Stories from the Northeast Ever Told. Edited by Jobeth Ann Warjri, the anthology is different in how it gives space to emerging authors, rooted in the region.
In her “Introduction”, Warjri admits that while selecting names for an anthology, the political economy of “networking” often tries to impinge upon an editor’s choice of works. Her admission comes from a place of fraternity, but her wisdom makes her steadfast in her selections. It is, therefore, in knowing and not knowing, that the selection is rich, with a major chunk dedicated to new writers.
Familiar names, new faces
As the anthology begins, the first authors who appear are the stalwarts. Any great anthology would be incomplete without their presence and the editor’s choice of stories by them are particular vis-à-vis the concerns dealt therein. Full of questions about humanity, belonging, conflict and identity, the first few stories set the stage for fresher – yet similar –...