Indian Stories

A uniquely diverse Pocket Classics collection of short stories from all of the major cultures and languages of India

India has a long tradition of storytelling. To use Salman Rushdie’s phrase it is “an ocean of stories.” When British rule brought the Western forms of the novel and the short story to India, they were grafted onto more ancient and varied oral traditions. Rabindranath Tagore was the first to popularize this form of writing with the short story collections he published in the 1890s, but the form swiftly captured the imagination of literary figures across India and in every Indian language.

India is not only rich in stories but also in languages, and the thirty-seven stories in this collection are taken from all the major languages of India, including Tamil, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, and many more, as well as writers in some regions who wrote primarily in English (N. K. Narayan, for example). This anthology includes one story from each region or culture, notably including several areas that are traditionally marginalized.

The stories reflect a variety of themes, ideas, and emotions, with subjects including the poverty aggravated by the dominance of landlords and the caste system; the position of women within the family; and the call of the city in a country that was and still is predominantly rural and agricultural. Indian literary fiction, born though it was under a Western star, reflected invariably realities that were distinctly Indian, and this unique anthology offers a dazzlingly varied overview of the rich cultures of the subcontinent.

Everyman's Library pursues the highest production standards, printing on acid-free, cream-colored paper, with full-cloth cases with two-color foil stamping, decorative endpapers, silk ribbon markers, European-style half-round spines, and a full-color illustrated jacket.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs