Rakib Ahammed
Three boys of class X — Russell, Mithun and Jewel — were moving from one stall to another to find some newly arrived science fictions at the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela. The boys have been saving money for last couples of months.
“We have bought three science fictions by Muhammad Jafar Iqbal and looking for few more of popular native and foreign writers”, Mithun said.
“I have managed Tk 400 from my mother and saved Tk 500 more during last two months to buy science fictions,” Jewel said.
The demand for new books on science fictions is ever rising in the fair. Publishers, besides other books, are also publishing new science fictions for teenagers this season.
Around 30 new titles on science fictions have arrived in different stalls in last 16 days.
However, the boys regretted that new science fictions are not quite available in most of the stalls in the Boi Mela.
“Some authors are writing science fictions regularly and there are not many publishers translating foreign ones”, Mithun said.
“Most of the science fictions I have read were by Muhammad Jafar Iqbal”, Russel said.
The boys said they have been fascinated by science fictions since class VIII. Their first science fictions were of an English authoress “Frankenstein”.
Booksellers said there is a good demand for science fictions among the young readers. They said girls are also purchasing science fiction novels. Science fictions by Mohammad Jafar Iqbal are the best-seller this year, they added.
Meanwhile, the 87 new arrivals at the book fair include Kuwashar Borno Mala by Aminul Islam, Dinajpurer Tevaga Andolaner Prastuti Porbo by Mesbah Kamal, Firey Jai Firey Ashi by Hasan Azizul Haque, Samudro Gupta Kobita Shamogro by Samudro Gupta, Nari Bhubon by Baby Moudud and Charur Jonno Chhara by Elias Ahmed.
The gathering at the fair is increasing every day. Authorities and publishers are expecting highest ever sale at the Boi Mela this year.
Courtesy: thedailystar.net
