Book Review: ‘Between Worlds’ by Gautam Bhatia

Book Title: Between Worlds
Editor: Gautam Bhatia
Publisher: IF
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-9371976541
Date Published: Aug. 18, 2025
Price: INR 331

Book Review

“Between Worlds” is a speculative fiction anthology edited by Gautam Bhatia, featuring 11 short stories that explore alternate modes of sustenance and technological advancements in the future. The genre aims to answer fundamental questions about purpose, relevance, and the future. The stories range from “The Last Projectionist” by Ajay Patri, which explores the pain and anguish of creation, to “Heartland” by Anushree Nande, which explores the concept of a “memory walker” who can walk through memories and fragments.

Prashanth Srivatsa’s “Muniyamma” depicts a robot straddling the natural world and a futuristic planet as a midwife who implants her human memories into her robot self. The authors create two separate, alternate worlds and the realities of these forms of life. “Sudden Self” by Priyamvadha Shivaji is a statement grounded in a reportage-like tone, while “CMD: Reset” by Purnima Bala is a metaphor for the deeply capitalistic society we inhabit.

“Tomorrow’s Ancestors” by Srividya is a heartwarming story about a fourth-generation woman going back in time to meet her great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. The story is politically charged and moves easily between the past and future on themes like human rights and climate change. “Of Holo Maa, Without Maa” by Shobhita Narayan explores the question of what it means to be human and how we become humane. Amal Singh’s “We are all Mayflies” begins with the question of why we prolong what has to inevitably come to an end.

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The last story, “Luna Hortus,” revolves around a string of murders on the planet of Luna Hortus, where locals believe it’s the work of a demon they fear.

The stories in the anthology oscillate between death, life, purpose, and meaning, with distinct voices, styles, and emotions. They are also reflection to the boom of speculative fiction in India, both among readers and writers.

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