New Delhi

Penguin Random House today announced the release of The Master of Unfinished Things, an exceptional English translation of Geet Chaturvedi’s Hindi work, Adhuri Cheezon Ka Devta. The book has been translated by the talented Anita Gopalan, whose skillful rendering brings Chaturvedi’s evocative prose to an international readership.

According to Penguin this genre-blending collection combines stories, poems, diary entries, and reflective essays into a deeply personal memoir, tackling themes of identity, love, purpose, and art. With his lyrical writing style, Chaturvedi weaves a profound exploration of the human experience, offering readers a window into his world through poetic and philosophical musings.

A Rich Tapestry of Stories and Reflections

In The Master of Unfinished Things, Chaturvedi captures a wide array of experiences — from nostalgic memories of a childhood cat to mischievous adventures as Mumbai’s self-proclaimed “book thief.” His writing, which balances simplicity with complexity, invites readers into his inner world, fostering a sense of closeness and intimacy.

The book combines narrative, philosophy, and personal reflection, offering a vivid portrayal of Chaturvedi’s life. Each page is filled with emotion and insight, drawing readers deeper into the beauty and contradictions of existence.

Embracing the Spirituality of Incompleteness

One of the central themes of The Master of Unfinished Things is the concept of “incompleteness.” Chaturvedi reflects, “Every creation of ours is an incomplete address, yet it somehow finds its destination — that is the magic of art.”

Rather than fearing incompleteness, Chaturvedi encourages readers to embrace it as part of life’s natural rhythm. From unfinished relationships to incomplete tasks, life is filled with things left unsaid or undone. But instead of dwelling on these voids, Chaturvedi suggests we find meaning and beauty in life’s imperfect, fleeting moments, reminding us that we can find peace in the unknown.

Mumbai — The Mentor, Mirror, and Muse

Mumbai, the bustling city that forms the backdrop of much of Chaturvedi’s writing, plays an essential role in shaping the narrative. For Chaturvedi, the city is not just a setting, but a living entity — one that both nurtures and challenges him. Through vivid descriptions, he presents Mumbai as a place of paradoxes: it is both exhausting and inspiring, overwhelming yet brimming with creativity.

Mumbai serves as Chaturvedi’s mentor, mirror, and muse, offering lessons in resilience, reflection, and artistic inspiration. The city’s energy pulses through every story, influencing his thoughts, emotions, and creative process.

A Celebration of Literature and Storytelling

At its core, The Master of Unfinished Things is a tribute to the power of literature. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of authors — from Premchand and Kalidasa to Haruki Murakami and Dostoyevsky — Chaturvedi delves into his deep relationship with words and storytelling. For him, literature is not just a means of conveying stories, but a way to connect with others, foster dialogue, and understand the complexities of life.

Through his writing, Chaturvedi navigates the highs and lows of human existence, using storytelling as a way to explore emotions, thoughts, and the philosophical questions that arise in the face of life’s uncertainties.

Early Praise for the Book

‘Subtle and richly layered, joyously experimental in form, cosmopolitan in range, and alive to art, dream and epiphany, these writings constitute prose at its poetic best’—Ranjit Hoskote, author of Icelight

‘Geet Chaturvedi’s The Master of Unfinished Things is the work of a seeking imagination. Written in fluid prose that ranges from personal history to cinema, folklore and literary questions, it is an unusual book which speaks in an intimate voice, heard by the English reader in Anita Gopalan’s capable translation’—Sara Rai, author of Raw Umber

About the Author

Geet Chaturvedi is one of the most widely read contemporary Hindi poets, short story writer, author and lyricist. He is the recipient of multiple literary awards with some of the most prominent ones being the Raza Fellowship, the Bharat Bhushan, the PEN/Heim and a Vatayan-UK Literary Award among several others. His works have been translated into over 24 languages worldwide and he continues to be a beacon of inspiration to readers and writers all over the world.

About the Translator
Anita Gopalan is a writer, translator, and stock trader. She is also a recipient of a PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant, a fellowship in English Literature from the Indian Ministry of Culture and has translated a number of works by Geet Chaturvedi such as Simsim, The Memory of Now and The Funeral.