India, May 9 -- Folk tales have an old connect with the hills. Introducing readers to the myths, legends, spirits, Gods and forgotten local history of Uttarakhand is the new collection of 10 short stories titled Mysteries, Mountains and Mythology. Deeply rooted in culture and traditions, each tale unravels a myth that lives on within the communities of the Himalayan region. One of the book's greatest strengths is how deeply its stories are rooted in Uttarakhand's geography. Mountains, rivers, forests, and temples do not merely form the backdrop, they breathe through the narratives, often becoming characters in themselves, as they do in the crows in Celebrating Crows. Despite modernising the folktales for contemporary readers, author Supriya Bansal succeeds in preserving their essence. Regional beliefs, festivals, oral traditions, and subtle details, such as Jeetu invoking the Kula Devata for protection from spirits in Of Farmers, Flutes and Forest Spirits, lend the stories an authenticity that feels both immersive and enduring. However, in an attempt to simplify the folktales and make them more accessible, the author also strips away much of their emotional and literary depth. The omniscient narration, instead of a more immersive first-person style, makes the stories feel somewhat dated in both tone and language. What truly stands out, are the delightful sections, Stories Some More and Recipes Galore. The former cleverly draws cross-cultural parallels between Greek myths and the folktales, while the latter brings the stories to life through traditional recipes mentioned in here. It, thus, tempts readers to recreate the flavours in real life, adding a touch of richness missing from the fictional narrative. Title: Mysteries, Mountains and Mythology: Uttarakhand's Folktales Retold Author: Supriya Bansal Publisher: Rupa Publications Price: Rs.395...