Tapestry of the Mind and Other Stories

‘Aneeta’s short stories tell the truth. Through these compositions, the reader gains an insight into the different experiences of social, political, and economic realities of Malaysian life; how they diverge and how they interact—in surprising, amusing, or tragic ways. Furthermore, weaving through these pieces are important threads that, depending on government policy, will strengthen or unravel our nation: among them, mental health, the Federal Constitution and our nation’s rich cultural traditions. Get this book into our schools!’

‘Aneeta Sundararaj’s hard-hitting compilation of short stories may be fictional but it is solidly based on real life. Aneeta hits the nail on the head basing her stories on the ambiguous and double standards prevailing within the multiracial and multi-cultural societies of Malaysia. Each community, conditioned by the double standards and unreformed practices and beliefs of their communities, is plagued by ambivalent and cruel psychological destiny. Obsessed with the resultant state of affairs, the protagonists of Aneeta’s “fictional” stories grip us with their unfolding drama, the monumental clashes of religious and cultural conditioning and law. Her stories explore the resultant acute mental health crises and taboos, the kind which are often swept under the carpet in the unfair world we live in.’

‘Mental health is the buzz word of today’s world. What does it actually mean? When an employee says, “I suffer from anxiety,” sometimes, there may be a deeper medical issue he is suffering from. When an aged parent stops eating, it may be a sign of depression in the elderly. When a parent or loved one dies, how you deal with the grief may be completely different from someone else. After heavy rains, there are all forms of losses around and you feel you’re losing your mind. Stories can be one of the most powerful ways for you to understand that you’re not alone and seeking help is but one phone call away. This is why I am very proud of Aneeta for putting together this collection of some of her award-winning short stories. The stories are heartfelt, funny in some instances, uplifting in a few and very real, all of them. It’s a must-read and treasure for all.’

‘Be warned. Aneeta is dangerously addictive. She picks her material mostly from domestic vignettes. Aneeta’s lawyerly training transmutes it into searing universal insights. We are astonished how similar the human condition is, everywhere. That explains why her stories win international awards. Because time is scarce, we trade it warily. Aneeta’s chosen medium of the short story is apt. She does not disappoint.’

‘“Say Hello to Yama” achieves a lot … A very dense and complex story enables the reader to reflect on the impacts of climate change on small communities.’

Aneeta Sundararaj trained and practiced as a lawyer before pursuing her dream of writing. She also created and developed a website called “How to Tell a Great Story,” aiming to make it a resource for storytellers. Her writing has appeared in numerous magazines, ezines, and journals.

Notable book projects include:

• Knowledge of Life: Tales of an Ayurveda Practitioner in Malaysia
• The Banana Leaf Men
• Mad Heaven: Biography of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. M. Mahadevan

For a period, she contributed feature articles to the lifestyle section of a national newspaper. Many of Aneeta’s short stories have been longlisted, shortlisted, and won international literary competitions and awards. Her most recent and bestselling novel, The Age of Smiling Secrets, was shortlisted for the Anugerah Buku 2020, organized by the National Library of Malaysia. Edited versions of various chapters of this novel have appeared in multiple anthologies, most notably in We Mark Your Memory: Writings from the Descendants of Indenture, School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with Commonwealth Writers, 2018.

Aneeta has also pursued her academic interests, successfully defending a doctoral thesis in 2021 entitled “Management of Prosperity Among Artistes in Malaysia.”

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