SHILLONG, Aug 20: Deuce, a book by Shillong-based author and former bureaucrat Aldous Mawlong, was on Saturday released by Gracious Givers Foundation vice president Noreen Majoric Dunai here.
The book, which in French means two, embodies a set of two tales, Kim and Jezebel. This is the fourth book of Mawlong after April Fairy (poetry), Collage (poetry) and Soliloquoy (reflections).
Talking to reporters after the release of the book, Mawlong said that Kim is a fictional story about Rock, a reckless musician who grew up in the 70s and had a band called the Leather Jacket, which was later renamed as 2B & 2B (Two Boys And Two Babes).
Shedding light on the story, Mawlong said that as an orphan, Rock went through a lot in life. “Later, he (Rock) met ravishing Kim who was also an orphan and had her roots from Bhutan and China. Kim was a good drummer and singer. They teamed up in the band and eventually fell in love. The story is about true romance as both were finally married,” he said.
About Jezebel, the author said that Jezebel is a leaf gleaned from the Old Testament of the Bible, the first book of Kings.
Mawlong said that when he read about her, he was intrigued and that inspired him to write something to make her alive again.
He also mentioned that Prophet Ahab had said that Jezebel would be killed and eaten by dogs.
Informing that Jezebel came into the life of ordinary people as she seduced, exploited and killed, Mawlong said that she was vicious sorceress who defied the prophets.
Mawlong said that the story was left open-ended because after they reduced her to ashes, a gust of wind blew the ashes into the jungle.
He said that her deformed image came out once in a while and the jungle became a haunted place.
Meanwhile, the former bureaucrat also revealed that that it took him four years to author the book since it was written in bits and pieces.
“I work on my different books at the same time. Whenever I get an inspiration I see where it fits. It is the same thing, even with poetry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mawlong said that he is eager to create a platform to bring different authors and even young upcoming writers together.
He said that young upcoming writers not only require hand-holding but also good publishers who help with good editing, proof-reading and even designing the book.
Earlier, after releasing the book, Dunai, who is also Mrs Shillong 2019, informed that she has read the book and was really impressed with the characters.
She said that the author, through this book, wants to send a message that in the midst of ray of dark clouds, there is always a ray of hope.
