In every generation, there are defining moments that change the way people view life, relationships, and the future. For our generation, the COVID-19 pandemic was one such turning point. While history will remember the facts, figures, and global impact of the crisis, the true stories of individuals and their everyday battles often risk being lost. Asha Singh Gaur’s Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks brings those personal experiences back into focus, highlighting the emotional and human side of a time that altered our lives forever.
Understanding the Heart of the Book
The memoir is a collection of seven interconnected stories set during the fifteen months of the pandemic. It does not dwell on the medical or statistical side of the crisis but instead reflects on the challenges of ordinary people. Readers will find stories of separation, loss, and the financial hardships that tested resilience.
Asha Singh Gaur describes her book as the story of the “in-betweens.” It is not only about what the world went through collectively but also about what individuals experienced in their homes and within themselves. Behind the masks and closed doors, lives were being reshaped in quiet yet profound ways.
The Unique Perspective
What makes Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks truly stand out is its focus on human emotions. Asha Singh Gaur captures the fear, uncertainty, and helplessness that many people felt but also brings attention to rediscovery, creativity, and strength.
She acknowledges the reality of the crisis—the separations that could not be fought for, the losses that were impossible to avoid, and the personal battles for survival. Yet, instead of painting only a picture of despair, she offers a narrative of endurance. Her writing reminds readers that amidst the chaos, people discovered new sides of themselves and reconnected with their passions.
A Foreword of Recognition
Award-winning author Neelam Saxena provides the foreword to this book and recognizes its importance as a deeply personal and authentic memoir. Saxena emphasizes that Asha Singh Gaur’s Fifteen Months and Seven Stories captures not just individual experiences but also the universal emotions of the pandemic era. The seven stories mirror the fragmented yet interconnected nature of life, creating a portrait that is both intimate and collective.
From Job Loss to Creative Awakening
The author herself is a central figure in the narrative. When she lost her job during the pandemic, it could have marked the beginning of despair. Instead, it became the spark for creative rebirth. Gaur began painting and writing poetry, channeling her emotions into art that gave her strength and meaning during uncertain times.
Her poetry collection was published during this period, and she participated in virtual exhibitions that connected her to audiences across the country. The memoir captures this transformation, showing how personal loss can open unexpected doors to self-discovery. Since then, Asha Singh Gaur has authored multiple books, edited anthologies, and exhibited her artwork in more than ten cities in India.
This journey adds another dimension to the memoir, making it not just a story of survival but of reinvention.
What Readers Are Saying
The book has already received glowing feedback from readers who connected deeply with its stories:
- Chhatraveer described it as a compelling account that captures the resilience people were forced to show during extraordinary circumstances.
- Sakshi Nair praised the book’s honesty, noting that it feels like sharing stories with a trusted friend over coffee.
- Deepak Seth highlighted how Gaur’s transformation—from job loss to creative discovery—makes the book both inspiring and relatable.
- Krishna Dev Chaddar called the memoir a compassionate archive of history, one that captures the collective emotions of a generation.
These testimonials reflect the universal connection the book has achieved, proving that personal stories often resonate most strongly with readers.
About Asha Singh Gaur
Asha Singh Gaur is a writer, translator, editor, artist, and therapist who began writing professionally in 2015 after a successful corporate career. Her work is inspired by people, nature, and real-life events.
Her literary contributions include Surkh Laal Barf, a Hindi poetry collection that received the Radha Awadhesh Saahitya Smriti Samman in 2015, and The Sign, a novella. She has edited multiple anthologies, translated two novels, and worked on more than forty comic books. Her talent as a poet has been recognized widely; she received the Poet of the Year Award from Ukiyoto Publishing in 2023 and the Sahitya Ratna Samman for poetry in 2024.
Beyond writing, she is a practicing artist and certified Dream Analyst who uses creative therapy to help people cope with stress and trauma. Her exhibitions across India highlight her versatility and passion for creative expression.
Why the Book Matters Today
The pandemic is a part of history now, but its emotional and psychological impact continues to shape our lives. Books like Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks are important because they remind us of what it felt like to live through those days. They also remind us of the strength we discovered when the world stood still.
This memoir provides:
- A reflection of shared struggles faced by millions across the world.
- A reminder of resilience, highlighting how people adapted and grew.
- A personal story of creative rediscovery, proving that passion can flourish in adversity.
- A compassionate voice that validates the emotions of those who felt isolated and uncertain.
By combining universal themes with deeply personal stories, Asha Singh Gaur ensures her book is both relatable and timeless.
A Contribution to Pandemic Literature
Literature often serves as the memory of humanity. While history books may record the numbers and timelines of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is memoirs like this one that capture the soul of the era. Fifteen Months and Seven Stories is not about drama or pace but about connection and reflection.
Asha Singh Gaur’s writing is measured, thoughtful, and empathetic. She offers readers the chance to revisit their own memories of the pandemic, not with dread, but with a sense of understanding and acceptance.
Conclusion
Asha Singh Gaur’s Fifteen Months and Seven Stories – Life through closed doors and masks is a powerful reminder of how personal stories shape our collective history. With honesty and compassion, the author captures the emotional reality of a world in crisis while also offering a message of resilience and renewal.
This memoir is not only for those who want to remember the pandemic but also for anyone seeking inspiration to overcome personal challenges. It is a story of how even in the darkest moments, human beings can find light within themselves.
Readers can get their copy here: Buy on Amazon.
