This is a surprisingly good collection of short stories about the lives of women in contemporary, mostly rural Bhutan, by a Bhutanese author, whose own life I wanted to read more about after the all-too-brief introduction detailing her own culture shock as a young girl in an Indian boarding school and her observations of the way women’s lives have changed in Bhutan, often becoming less independent under the influence of foreign culture.

The quality of the book was unexpected to me because, first, I bounced off the author’s novel awhile back (I may now give it another chance), and second, the publishers really let the author down here. The punctuation is bad and there are some grammatical mistakes. It’s unfortunate, though understandable, that this lack of professional copyediting has led some to conclude that the author lacks literary talent, when other indications are to the contrary. The thirteen stories are well-structured and engaging, getting the reader quickly invested in the characters’ lives.

As a cultural document this is fascinating, illuminating various aspects of ordinary life in Bhutan. The stories range from optimistic (a young woman who alternates between visiting her brother in the city, where she adopts the life of an urban sophisticate, and returning to the country to muck out sheds for her mother) to tragic (a dwarf who is shunned by most of her family and community until her death). There’s a strong sense of community life: in one story no one will turn in the village thief because everyone is interdependent, while another, about a single mother whose hard work gets her son through school and allows him to achieve a comfortable life for them both, feels not quite triumphant because it’s framed by the villagers left behind, who experience their success only by viewing photographs.

But the stories are still focused on individual choices and lives; many of the protagonists are poor single mothers, either giving birth outside of marriage, or providing for their families after leaving or being left by their husbands. It is certainly a more dynamic view of individual and family life than Western stereotypes about Asian farmers would lead you to expect. It’s mostly a realistic collection, but there is room for fancy too, as in one story about a misunderstanding between a woman and a mouse.

I finished through this collection quickly, was engaged by the stories, found the characters believable and sympathetic, and enjoyed the strong sense of place and learning about Bhutan. It’s a shame the publishers didn’t do their part; with a bit of polish and a strong publishing house behind it, this could be a real literary success. 4-stars bhutan short-story-collections ...more9 s *Tau*270 29


Reading around the world - BHUTAN

For a very long time Bhutan has been protected from outside influences.
The country was closed off from turism until 1974 and tv and internet were banned until 1999.

In this short story bundle Kunzang Choden gives us a glimpse of both Bhutanese traditional culture and changes in society.
To emphasize the contrast between the old and new world, she compares the rural and urban life.
And every time she does this from a female point of view. All her main characters are resilient girls or women.

The country and most media both try to show a very rosy picture of Bhutan.
It is said to be one of the happiest countries in the world.
Furthermore it claims that women have the same rights as men. But are they really treated equally?
Kunzang Choden's stories already give us a hint that they often aren't, especially in rural environments.
Officially, there's no overt gender discrimination as women in Bhutan enjoy more social freedom and equality compared with women in the region. But when you dig a little further, there are interesting sources of information on this matter which show a more nuanced picture. One of those sources is The Druk Journal, a Bhutanese journal of thoughts and ideas. If you want to read their article about women in Bhutan, you can head over to this overview and click on the last subject 'Women in Bhutan: the Gender Discussion' (you can also access the text in pdf-form here, but then the references aren't mentioned).

With 'Tales in Colour and other stories' the first English writing female author of Bhutan Kunzang Choden gives us an interesting insight into the actual daily life of women in her country. Therefore this book is worth 3,5* to 4*.
Unfortunately, the many linguistic errors made the reading experience quite laborious from time to time. That's why the overall rating is rounded down to 3*. A good editorial review is highly recommended as it would really help to focus the reader's attention to the stories. And those are certainly worth to be spread internationally, so that everyone gets a taste of the real Bhutan!

If you want to learn more fascinating facts about Bhutan or if you want to watch some interesting movies about this country or an interview with author Kunzang Choden, you're always welcome to check out my blog article Land of the Thunder Dragon.

The stories included in this book are:
1. The woman who lost her senses
2. I won't ask mother
3. The advisor
4. These things happen
5. Look at her belly button
6. I am this
7. Who will water my chili
8. The photographs
9. Mother of a thief
10. I am a small person
11. The mouse in the house
12. A letter and a note
13. Tales in colour


In 2022 I'm reading (at least) one short story a day.
You can discover more about it here.
The stories in this book were #4 till #16.

February 2022 was when I decided to take on the challenge to read at least one book of every country in the world (and one of every state of the USA too).
First I'm going to see how far I get by reading bundles of short stories.
After that (or in the meanwhile) I'll also add novels and novellas to my reading pile.
To see which countries I already visited, click here.bhutan reading-around-the-world short-story-collections6 s Chelsea Mcgill85 29

This collection of short stories by a female Bhutanese writer gives the reader access to a culture they would never otherwise be able to see: village life in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The small kingdom perched in the mountains between India and China is famous for being one of the happiest countries in the world, but because of government rules restricting tourists and mandating a $200 USD/day minimum fee for all foreign tourists, it is notoriously difficult to travel in. Kunzang Choden's stories provide a much less expensive way to explore the Kingdom of Bhutan.

"The Woman who Lost her Senses"
In the village, traditional healers practice the Bon religion, a pre-Buddhist tradition that is frowned upon by the Buddhist monks. The healers channel the energy of a deity that is specific to each person, and they need to be taught how to do this properly (by someone with the same deity) or else they go mad. This story tells of a woman who was never taught and displays symptoms of this god-created madness.

"I Won't Ask Mother"
Yeshimo quit school at a very early age to take care of her ill mother and her three brothers. She envies them for being able to get an education and to have prospects in life, and wishes that she could learn more.

"The Advisor"
A woman rejected by her husband becomes the village busybody, giving everyone unsolicited advice- and continues to stick around even after she has died.

"These Things Happen"
Tensions arise between neighboring families when one of the girls is impregnated by a visiting official and blames her boyfriend, who lives next door.

"Look At Her Belly Button"
Tsewang Doma has been spending time in Thimphu with her brother and sister-in-law, escaping from the dull village life to go shopping and watch Hindi movies. She notices that the Hindi movie heroines have their belly buttons pierced, and she decides to stop at nothing before she gets one too.


"I Am This"
Lemo was once a highly admired singer and dancer. But now in her old age, she has become a drunk. In this story her daughter must take care of her when she gets drunk at a cremation ceremony.

"Who Will Water My Chili"
When Tamo falls ill with a mysterious illness, her mother and father grudgingly take care of their wayward daughter. Constantly needing reassurance that she will not die, Tamo plans what she will do when she is well again.

"The Photographs"
A single mother scrimped and saved to send her son to the best modern schools and colleges, leading to a government job in the city - and photos that she proudly shows to all of her friends in the village.

"Mother of a Thief"
From a young age, a woman encourages her son to steal things as long as he doesn't get caught. As he grows up, he continues to be the village thief, but for the sake of village harmony no one punishes him.

"I Am A Small Person"
As she is dying, a hunchbacked, deformed dwarf woman remembers the hardships of her life in the village and mourns her inability to have a child.

"The Mouse In The House"
A woman and a mouse live together in uncomfortable harmony. But then one day the constant nibbling and mess become too much for the woman and she decides to set a trap.

"A Letter and a Note"
After leaving her two years ago, Lhamo's husband writes a letter asking that she join him in Thimphu with the children. Knowing his philandering ways, she is hesitant, but eventually she joins him for the sake of the children. But how long will he be able to control his baser instincts?

"Tales in Colour"
The master dyer of the village, an old woman, explains how to get good colors to the younger women and tells stories to educate them in the old ways. But she's getting old and her memory is not what it used to be, and eventually she forgets how to practice her life's craft.

Ethnographic tales

These stories are not masterpieces of literary writing. They are readable and interesting, but their appeal comes from the ethnographic information they convey rather than the writing itself. This information allows the reader to have some insight into life in rural Bhutan, which because of its closed nature is nearly impossible for foreigners to access in person.

Read the rest on my blog: http://thegloballycurious.blogspot.co...3 s Harry Rutherford376 84

This is a collection of short stories about everyday life for women in rural Bhutan, touching on alcoholism, illness, infidelity, the lure of the city, age… universal themes, really, and simple stories, but very well told and with a strong sense of place.around-the-world short-stories south-asia2 s Mª João Monteiro814 59

«Bhutanese women have always enjoyed a comparatively favourable status on a regional context as they have never suffered many of the gender based prejudices and discriminations endured by their sisters in the South Asian Region. We are now at a crucial stage in our transition and we must not let go of our hold on our traditional archetypes of strong and independent women. »
Após esta citação inicial, vamos contactar com o modo de vida no Butão em onze contos. Uns são mais interessantes do que outros, mas todos me falaram de uma realidade completamente diferente da minha.
No primeiro conto, a narradora conta-nos o impacto que teve, aos nove anos, quando em Delhi, no colégio de freiras para onde tinha ido estudar, uma das madres pôs em causa o seu nome face ao do pai, porque o seu último nome era igual ao primeiro do pai e isso não fazia sentido... Ora, explica a narradora/autora, no Butão os nomes não têm género, não se herda o nome do pai/família e as mulheres herdam as terras da mãe. Depois disto, vamos lendo contos onde o trabalho árduo e o sofrimento das mulheres são visíveis, sem que, no entanto, haja uma diferença por serem mulheres, a vida é que é mesmo dura.
Nos diversos contos, são narrados episódios mais ou menos longos da vida de algumas mulheres, destacando aspetos diversos, como a religião e o que ela pode favorecer ou prejudicar, o contraste da vida rural e a urbana, o modo de vida das novas gerações.
Os meus contos preferidos foram «Look at her belly bottom» e «Tales in colours». O primeiro fala de uma jovem mulher que ajuda na pior função que a mãe tem e já não tem forças para exercer: a recolha do estrume dos seus currais e o seu transporte para os campos para ser usado como fertilizante. Destaca-se a dureza do trabalho, o quanto lhe custa, mas como custaria mais à mãe sem quem ela «não se imagina a viver». Tsewng Doma, a jovem (e os nomes não me ficaram minimamente na memória), tem outra faceta na sua vida: vai, periodicamente, visitar a irmã e o cunhado à cidade de Thimpu, a capital. Aí, ela descobriu como era fácil a vida numa casa com dois quartos, água canalizada (não ter de ir para a fila buscar água e carregá-la!) e eletricidade. DEscobre a televisão e algumas vaidades femininas: tratar da pele e do cabelo, pintar as unhas e, por último, colocar um piercing no umbigo, como viu na tv! Esta última ação torna-a especial na sua aldeia e confere-lhe uma autoestima e satisfação que a ajudam na árdua vida rural. Gostei imenso!
O outro conto fala-nos de Tsheringmo, uma experiente colorista de lã, ensina os seus segredos a Kencho e Rinchem Dolma, de forma a que este conhecimento não se perca. Entre as técnicas e os materiais usados para tingir a lã, são também transmitidas lendas e superstições. Quando a idade traz a demência e o esquecimento à velha artesã, as antigas aprendizas, agora mulheres experientes, tratam dela e acarinham-na, mesmo ela não conseguindo discernir as suas identidades. A solidariedade feminina é uma constante na maioria dos contos.
Para além das duras tarefas rurais e a algumas condições de vida a que, no mínimo, chamaríamos primitivas, também há destaque de alguns hábitos sociais, como alguma tolerância para as relações amorosas e infidelidades (mais para os homens, mas também para as mulheres, que têm filhos fora do casamento e não são olhadas de lado). Muito interessante o contacto com este país tão distante e diferente. A leitura em inglês é sempre mais lenta, para mim, e tenho muitas dúvidas sobre a validade da pontuação quase ausente nas histórias. 1 Linda LeamingAuthor 8 books65

Beautifully written, funny, honest. These stories are a real insiders view of a fascinating and complex place, but they have universal appeal. I loved this book.1 Octavia CadeAuthor 88 books124

I thoroughly enjoyed this - the stories collected here aren't exciting, really, in any way. They're just quiet and observant and finely polished, and most of all they're domestic. All of them are about women living in small communities in Bhutan, and even though I've never been to Bhutan and don't know a thing about it (aside from the Gross National Happiness measurement) the stories are just instantly relatable. And they're of such everyday things - the mother getting photos from her son, who's off getting an education overseas. The irritation felt when there's a mouse infestation in the house and a terribly lazy cat. Passing on fabric techniques and stories and getting older, losing memories. Getting stuck with the household chores while other family members are off doing more interesting things. Getting a belly button ring. And, my particular favourite, "I am This," which tells of the particular embarrassment felt when one's mother gets drunk at a funeral.

I write short stories myself; it's easy to make them appealing when they're about exciting things. Making small stories appealing is much harder. It relies so heavily on characterisation, and the characterisation here is absolutely spot on.

general-fiction short-stories1 Bogdan705 44

A very nice and interesting collection of short stories which have feminine main characters and deals with women's condition in Bhutan and broader Asian region. It especially focuses on rural and traditionalist societies with occasional brief shift towards urban and modern societies. But the urban and modern ideas are mainly to provide a contrast for the rural and traditional values which are highly appreciated.

I have learnt a lot about the Bhutanese traditional society and about the role of women in their culture. It is one of the important things I am always appreciating when I am finding books from smaller literatures around the globe.asian-flavor Lik C133 6

I chose this book in preparation for an upcoming trip to Bhutan. It’s a collection of stories of different women from rural Bhutan. Most of these women’s sentiments are not new – dreaming of life outside the village, falling in love, tolerating the husband’s infidelity, raising children, and caring for their parents. The themes may not be new, but they did enlighten me on life and culture in Bhutan, a mysterious place for me, shrouded in mountains and tales in colour. Anna Ruth FL98

Well worth reading to see the lives of some women from rural Bhutan. Behind the scenes of " the happiest nation on earth", residents grapple with issues that plague most societies: alcoholism, parental abandonment, food insecurity, theft. There are happy moments too: a woman who finds a unique souvenir from her time in the capital, the kindness of nieces and neighbors, and the sense of belonging.bhutan-grc Leslie Ann1,478 36

Wonderful collection of short stories to finish (!) my AtW challenge (Bhutan). The well-written stories provide interesting insights into what it means to be a woman in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.short-stories Rosamund888 57

My appreciation of these short stories grew more from the content than the style. They are simply told but extraordinary in revealing the lives of Bhutanese village women. Mrudula GovindarajuAuthor 3 books4

I loved this collection. A surprising gem. Mary Isaac171 3

Bhutanaround-the-world Anushree215 99

Fascinating, full of folklore and oral tales, documenting lives of women in poverty and disease. I am glad I got hold of this one. Margie237 30

Simply told stories about lives of women in Bhutan. 2024-q3-asia fiction-short-stories setting-asia-south Spiegel709 10

Very nice, relatable short stories.asia the-world-out-there women-writers Serendipity1,036 13

Tales in Colour is a collection of short stories by Kunzang Choden, a Bhutanese woman writer. While not literary masterpieces they were solid, readable and enjoyable. The majority focussed on women characters, often from rural areas and show how the increased influence from urban areas has altered their lives. But the importance of traditional ways remains and is seen in one story about healers and another about a master dyer. The strength of women as single mothers was a theme in several of the stories. I also noticed the emphasis on community- the villagers who wouldn’t report a thief because he was one of them, the communal pride in a village boy who found educational and then career success in the big city. Most of the stories were realistic but one - a dispute between a woman and a mouse - was more whimsical in nature and had the air of a folk tale. The introduction should not be skipped. It’s got fascinating insights on naming conventions in Bhutan and how they reflect women???s traditional role in society as individuals, not as adjuncts to men.

While one book can’t be expected to cover everything, this slim volume provided more than a quick peek into Bhutanese society. I’m certainly glad I read it.
Tracy13 1 follower

I d the stories themselves a lot. I felt they really exposed what life in Bhutan as a woman was , especially in modern-day Bhutan, as it, many other places, is trying to assimilate "modern ways" carefully into the existing traditions, albeit sometimes losing traditions along the way.

One major downfall of this book, however, is its typos and other errors of English usage ("its" for "it's", inconsistencies in spacing). At first it seemed quaint and endearing, but by the end of the book, it just came across as distracting and unprofessional. Fahima31 22

A colorful insight to the culture and lifestyle of rural Bhutanese women and their gradual evolution and adaptation to the modern/westernizing culture. Each story elaborately detailed, makes it easy to empathize with the character.

Favorite quote : " I had neither the language nor the maturity to tell her that in my culture that is not the case, and she had neither the patience nor the wisdom to accept something that was different" Guneet49 6

Loved all the stories. Each story has a different flavour.
The best part is that these stories are from rural Bhutan. The description of countryside with its tales of single mothers surviving to feed their children is a rare peep.
Simple short stories of young girls in rural Bhutan. 4 stars!! :) Pamela Patrick46 41 Read

Loved it :-) Nawang1 review5

It is a fascinating collection of short stories based on rural Bhutanese women and vividly shows how their roles are shaped by the tradition and culture. Geetika Mehta9 1 follower

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