In the vast landscape of pandemic literature, where countless voices attempted to capture the impact of COVID-19, Asha Singh Gaur’s Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks stands apart as a deeply human and personal work. This book is not a clinical account of a crisis nor a mere retelling of events that unfolded globally. Instead, it is an intimate reflection on ordinary people and their extraordinary endurance in the face of a catastrophe that reshaped the world.
Asha Singh Gaur, an accomplished author, translator, editor, and artist, has crafted a memoir that captures the essence of living through the pandemic without sensationalism. Her work provides readers with seven interconnected stories that reveal the emotional, financial, and social realities of that time. The result is a powerful collection that resonates with authenticity and compassion.
The Essence of the Book
The title itself, Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks, evokes images of a world in isolation. Yet Gaur is clear in her purpose. This is not a book about the pandemic as a disease but about people navigating their own struggles during those fifteen months. It is about individuals who faced separation from loved ones, loss of livelihoods, and overwhelming uncertainty while still finding ways to endure.
Gaur writes about the “in-betweens”—the experiences that were often invisible in mainstream narratives. While newspapers filled their front pages with numbers of deaths and infections, she turned her gaze to the quieter stories of emotional loss, broken relationships, and personal reinvention. She captures the chaos not through statistics but through lived experience, allowing readers to reconnect with their own memories of that period.
A Foreword of Depth and Recognition
The foreword by award-winning author Neelam Saxena sets the tone for the book. Saxena calls it “a poignant and deeply personal memoir” that captures the emotional landscape of the pandemic through interconnected stories of loss and resilience. She emphasizes that Gaur’s work is not only personal but also universally relatable, offering comfort and solidarity to those who lived through the same uncertainty.
This recognition positions the book as an essential addition to pandemic literature, not because it documents events, but because it speaks directly to the human heart.
Stories of Perseverance and Artistic Rebirth
One of the most compelling elements of the book is Gaur’s honesty about her own struggles. She lost her corporate job during the pandemic, a moment that could have been defined by despair. Instead, it became the starting point of self-discovery. With time and stillness forced upon her, Gaur turned to poetry and painting, rediscovering passions that had been overshadowed by corporate life.
Her first book of poetry was published during this period, and she also began showcasing her art through virtual exhibitions. What could have been remembered as a time of professional loss became a turning point, giving birth to a creative chapter that continues to flourish. Today, she has authored multiple books, translated numerous works, edited anthologies, and participated in more than ten exhibitions across India.
This transformation is central to Fifteen Months and Seven Stories. It is not merely a narrative of survival but a testimony to the possibility of growth even in the most adverse circumstances.
Authenticity That Resonates
The strength of Gaur’s writing lies in its authenticity. She does not attempt to dramatize the pandemic. Instead, she reflects on real experiences—moments of despair, fear, and uncertainty—balanced with quiet triumphs of resilience and rediscovery.
Readers encounter the emotional toll of living away from family, the anxiety of financial instability, and the painful separations that defined those months. Yet they also see glimpses of reconnection, renewed creativity, and the rediscovery of self. This balance makes the book deeply relatable.
Her words echo the feelings of millions who lived through similar circumstances. Whether it was waiting for an oxygen cylinder, dealing with the silence of isolation, or navigating the tension of relationships confined within four walls, readers find fragments of their own stories mirrored in Gaur’s.
Reader Testimonials
Several readers have shared their admiration for Fifteen Months and Seven Stories. Their feedback highlights the book’s emotional depth and relatability:
Chhatraveer praises the book for capturing the reality of the pandemic through relatable stories, calling it a compelling and thoughtful read that reveals the resilience of ordinary people.
Sakshi Nair emphasizes the honesty of the narrative, appreciating how Gaur captures the rawness of the time without sugarcoating. She notes that the book is uplifting without being preachy, weaving self-discovery into stories of loss.
Deepak Seth highlights how the author’s personal experiences, including job loss and artistic rebirth, anchor the book and inspire readers to find purpose even in chaos.
Krishna Dev Chaddar recognizes the memoir as a compassionate archive of a historic moment, praising its honesty and universality.
These reviews reflect how Gaur’s writing has struck a chord with readers across different walks of life.
About the Author
Asha Singh Gaur is much more than a writer. She is a poet, translator, editor, artist, dream analyst, and therapist. After more than a decade in the corporate world, she dedicated herself to writing professionally in 2015. Her work draws inspiration from nature, people, and important incidents in everyday life.
Her contributions to literature include a Hindi poetry collection Surkh Laal Barf, the novella The Sign, multiple anthologies, and several translations of novels, stories, and comic books. The manuscript of Surkh Laal Barf was awarded the Radha Awadhesh Saahitya Smriti Samman in 2015. She has since received several recognitions, including Poet of the Year by Ukiyoto Publishing in 2023 and the Sahitya Ratna Samman for poetry in 2024.
Alongside writing, Gaur has also explored art therapy and dream analysis, using creative methods to help individuals cope with stress and trauma. Her exhibitions across India further highlight her multifaceted creativity.
Why This Book Matters
The significance of Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks extends beyond personal storytelling. It captures the collective memory of a generation that endured a global crisis. The book offers:
- A relatable narrative for those who struggled with isolation, job loss, or separation.
- A message of hope for anyone seeking inspiration in the face of setbacks.
- An honest reflection on how adversity can lead to personal and creative rebirth.
- A record of resilience that will serve future generations trying to understand how people lived through this historic moment.
For readers seeking comfort, reflection, or motivation, this book is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, human resilience and creativity shine through.
Conclusion
Asha Singh Gaur’s Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks is more than a memoir. It is a story of loss, resilience, rediscovery, and the enduring power of human spirit. With honesty and compassion, Gaur weaves her personal journey into a universal reflection on what it means to endure uncertainty and emerge with renewed purpose.
For those who lived through the pandemic, this book serves as both a mirror and a companion. For future readers, it will stand as a testimony to one of the most defining periods of modern history.
Asha Singh Gaur has not only documented her own experiences but also given voice to countless others who faced similar struggles. In doing so, she has created a work that is timeless, authentic, and profoundly human.
Her book is available on Amazon: Buy Here.
