Needle at the Bottom of the Sea: Bengali Tales from the Land of the Eighteen Tides

Needle at the Bottom of the Sea is a collection of Bengali stories that explore themes of human morality, social culture, and survival. Translated by Tony K. Stewart, the stories feature Sufi protagonists who travel through a world of wonder, where tigers talk and men magically grow into giants. The characters pursue living honorably and morally in a difficult, corrupt world, regardless of religion, class, or gender.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

These captivating tales from early modern Bengal unveil the fascinating fusion of Hindu and Muslim traditions, delving into timeless themes of human morality, social culture, and survival. Within the pages of Needle at the Bottom of the Sea, the Bengali stories take center stage, serving as poignant narratives of resilience. Each story in this collection highlights the imperative of unity, urging individuals to transcend the obstacles posed by the treacherous Sundarban swamps of Bengal and to foster harmony amidst social disparities stemming from religion, caste, and economic class.

Translated by the esteemed scholar of early modern Bengali literature, Tony K. Stewart, Needle at the Bottom of the Sea bursts with a vibrant and imaginative spirit. The Sufi protagonists embark on a wondrous journey through a realm where tigers converse and men magically transform into giants, where a Hindu princess falls deeply in love with a Muslim holy man, and where goddesses share the same space as kings and merchants. Despite the diverse religious, social, and gender backgrounds of these extraordinary stories, a common thread weaves them together—the unwavering pursuit of living an honorable and moral life in a challenging and corrupt world.

Through these captivating tales, readers are invited to explore the rich tapestry of early modern Bengal, witnessing the harmonious coexistence of different faiths and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. The fusion of Hindu and Muslim traditions in these stories offers a unique perspective on the complexities of human morality and the power of unity in overcoming societal divisions. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Bengali literature and its ability to transport readers to a world of wonder, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, and where the pursuit of honor and morality knows no bounds.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520388932