The Monk, His Ferrari and The Fifth Dimension
Dive into the extraordinary world of The Monk, His Ferrari and The Fifth Dimension by Subrata Halder. This award-winning collection blends spiritual narrative with bold science fiction, challenging modern science and the existence of God in a truly transformative reading experience.
Read the exclusive excerpt from the book.
He had spent a few months in ground training there, during the early days after joining the Air Force. Only for a little longer would human settlements be visible. After that, uninhabited deep forests and mountain ranges. After circling like this for about half an hour, he would return to base.
The afternoon was turning into evening. The sun leaned westward. Unrestrained, sharp rays dazzled his eyes. He thought of putting on his sunglasses. As he reached out to get them, his eyes fell on a particular section of the dashboard, a sight that would send a chill down any pilot’s spine. The red light marked REFA was blinking rapidly. Right engine fire alarm.
Manish swiftly turned around to look at the engine. There was no visible fire, but black smoke was coming out. He immediately decided to return to base. He neutralised the right engine and took a 180-degree turn.
He kept glancing nervously at the engine, sensing imminent danger. The warning light continued blinking. Even repeated resets didn’t work. He didn’t have to wait long. Within two minutes, the fear turned into reality. Flames began to emerge from the right engine.
He turned on the extinguisher. It didn’t work. Within moments, the entire rear section of the aircraft was engulfed in flames. To return to base, Manish would need to fly at least another twenty to twenty-five minutes. So, he did what is considered a pilot’s last duty: release the lock and push eject. In a flash, the glass canopy above slid back. He was ejected with the seat, rising nearly fifty feet. He saw the pilotless burning aircraft zooming ahead at great speed. In a short while, it disappeared into the kingdom of clouds.
Even in this moment of extreme crisis, fate did not abandon him. As he descended swiftly, suddenly he realised something still positive. The parachute attached to the pilot’s seat deployed at the right time. Above his head, the massive canopy seemed like the protective palm of a blessing.
His speed slowed. Floating in the air, he descended downward. Below was dense jungle. As far as the eye could see, no sign of human life. And dusk was setting in. Even if he survived the fall, there was little assurance he’d return safely to base.
Manish remembered Captain Mathur. During training, he used to give examples, saying, No matter how dire the situation, until the last breath, one must assume the chance of survival is one hundred per cent. That gave him strength.
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Manish asked, “And what if they weren’t?”
Dr. Rishi flinched. A piece of bread slipped from his hand onto the floor. “What do you mean? What are you trying to say?”
Manish replied, “I should tell you the truth. No matter how hard I tried, my stream of thought wasn’t flowing correctly. At first, it was fine. But when you asked me to think about my uncle… everything went haywire. I have terrible rage toward him. He deceived my father and took everything from us. That betrayal led to my father’s cerebral haemorrhage. I had to quit my studies and join the Air Force. Even when you asked me to think of happiness and success, all I could see was his face. I felt like choking him if he had been in front of me. And when you mentioned my sister, even that filled me with sorrow instead of joy. Because yesterday was the day her Ph.D viva. I wasn’t there to hear from her. She must be crying in disappointment.”
Dr. Rishi suddenly pushed the table in front of him and bolted out of the room. The cups and plates on the table crashed loudly onto the floor. Manish ran after him. The doctor was running toward the laboratory, shouting like a madman. Manish could hear fragments of his cries: “This is a disaster! My invention will give birth to uncontrollable rage, hatred, and despair! A disaster…”
He flung the lab door open with one pull. A burst of warm air, smoke, and a sharp chemical odour rushed out. It was too dark to see clearly, but from what Manish could make out, the entire room had been scorched by fire. Pages of the thick notebook on the table had been shredded into bits. The floor was littered with acid, chemicals, shards of glass, and paper. Every single machine was smashed. The main apparatus at the back had been struck hard with something heavy. It was burned and charred.
Across the table, someone was lying face down, his body burned by flames. Its height and shape were exactly like Manish’s. Suddenly, a burst of fire lit up in the centre of the room.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK –
The book is a compelling collection of eleven short stories and one novel. Several of the short stories have received prestigious literary awards and have been staged by renowned theatre groups for many years. At the heart of the book is the novel a deeply spiritual narrative that culminates in a striking blend of science fiction. Spanning a journey from the time of Buddha and Confucius to the modern age, the story unfolds through an ordinary boy who rises to global prominence as a spiritual guru and ultimately becomes a scientist. His extraordinary discovery challenges the limits of modern science and conventional thought. Through a bold philosophical exploration of the existence of God, the book presents ideas rarely addressed by contemporary intellectuals. It promises inspiration, mystery, and a truly transformative reading experience.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR SUBRATA HALDER
The author, Subrata Halder is an accomplished writer who has received several prestigious awards for short stories. An electronics engineer by profession, he spent several decades working with U.S. multinational companies in senior leadership roles. His professional journey allowed him to travel extensively across numerous countries and five continents, enriching his worldview and creative sensibilities. Deeply passionate about writing, he also expresses himself through art and painting. He currently lives in Delhi, India.
Book Details:
- Title: The Monk, His Ferrari and the Fifth Dimension
- Author: Subrata Halder
- Publisher: Bluerose Publishers Pvt. Ltd
- Release Date: 26 January 2026
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 190 pages
- ISBN 10: 9375422984
- ISBN 13: 978-9375422983
- Price: Rs
- Where to buy: www.amazon.in/