In the Rotten Pits of Hunger is a tale, which like many Indian horror stories, is set in a village of farmers, and most importantly, believers. Ajinkya Bhasme’s (below) well-spun narrative revolves around a household that is blessed by the Gods, or, as the narrator Bhuva reveals in the first few pages, by one God in particular. Dark swirling clouds spread over the village act as the harbingers of a malign force coming their way, when suddenly, the fields begin to rot and the entire village reports to be down with an inexplicable disease; everyone is feverish except the Shukla family. 

And in the moments to follow, this family that once owned over 200 acres of land, loses everything in the blink of an eye, including a family member Hari. Hari’s 10-year-old son Jojo becomes the first one to witness his father hanging from a massive old tree they call Sashook, which his father also preached to regularly. But something is amiss, and after everything that could possibly fall apart for the 14-member family in the following sequences, Jojo maintains that his father is alive, and that his soul is being held hostage.

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The storyline opens with the expiry of a deal made with a celestial being 50 years ago that promised the Shukla family prosperity and abundance of food. It slowly progresses into seeing that deal seal again — with hesitant, rushed and fatal missteps, and stomach-churning, desperate hunger.

Bhasme’s third horror novel reimagines the genre by creating a strong plot, with a spine-chilling narrative and words that make you question your beliefs. If you enjoy a hearty dose of existentialist reasoning, this book is sure to leave you pondering over reality versus mythology versus illusion.

Title: In the Rotten Pits of Hunger 
Author: Ajinkya Bhasme
Genre: Horror fiction
Publisher: Notion Press Publishing
Cost: Rs 330