A ‘Non-Story’ That Says More Than It Tells
An Opening That Feels Familiar
Some books announce themselves loudly.
Others walk in quietly, sit beside you, and begin to talk: about work, about people, about the small absurdities that make everyday life strangely unforgettable.
How Gourango Lost His O belongs to the latter.
It doesn’t promise a neat plot or a dramatic arc. Instead, it offers something rarer: a behind-the-scenes glimpse into a world most of us know only from a distance, told with humour, warmth, and an unassuming honesty.
This is not a story that rushes. It observes.
What Kind of Book Is This, Really?
Described as an insightful and humorous “non-story”, the book doesn’t follow the conventional rules of fiction. There is no grand quest or singular turning point. What it offers instead is an experience, episodic, reflective, and quietly satirical.
Through anecdotes and moments, the book captures:
- The lives and challenges of lawyers
- Their colourful, often eccentric clients
- The landscape of the Indian judiciary, with all its power games and peculiarities
It is thoughtful without being heavy, funny without being flippant.
A World That Feels Lived-In
From the boondocks of the Sundarbans to the hallowed corridors of the Supreme Court of India, the book moves through spaces that feel both expansive and intimate.
What stands out is not just the setting, but the tone.
The writing carries a gentle observational quality, peppered with affectionate Bengali touches, that allows the reader to step into courtrooms, chambers, and conversations without feeling like an outsider.
At the centre of it all is Gourango, the unwitting star of the narrative, whose perspective becomes the lens through which this world unfolds.
Satire, But with Affection
There is satire here, certainly, but not the sharp, distancing kind.
Instead, the book offers a cheeky access to the legal world, highlighting its eccentricities, hierarchies, and quiet dramas with warmth rather than cynicism.
The Indian court system appears in all its complexity:
- Dramatic stories
- Unexpected turns
- Larger-than-life characters
- Power structures that shape everyday realities
The humour comes not from exaggeration, but from recognition.
Stories That Stay After the Page Is Turned
Each chapter feels like a self-contained moment, often dramatic, sometimes absurd, and always human. These are the kinds of stories that don’t rely on spectacle; they rely on insight.
As noted by early readers, the book offers:
- An authentic behind-the-scenes glimpse into professional lives
- Unexpected plot twists that emerge naturally
- Characters who linger long after the last page
It’s the kind of reading experience where a smile arrives late, sometimes after you’ve already closed the book.
About the Author
Sanjoy Ghose is a Senior Advocate, originally from Calcutta, who studied in Bangalore and practises in Delhi. Known on Twitter by the bio “struggling lawyer,” he has authored several articles and opinion pieces.
How Gourango Lost His O marks his first novel, and it carries the confidence of someone deeply familiar with the world he writes about—without ever sounding self-important.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
This book will resonate with readers who enjoy:
- Character-driven narratives
- Satirical yet empathetic storytelling
- Insider perspectives on professional worlds
- Stories that value observation over spectacle
It’s for readers who appreciate nuance, and who don’t mind a story that refuses to be rushed.
A Gentle Invitation
How Gourango Lost His O doesn’t demand attention.
It earns it, slowly, quietly, and with charm.
This isn’t a book you read for the ending.
It’s one you read for the company it keeps along the way.
And once you step into Gourango’s world, you may find it difficult to leave it behind entirely.
