From migrant tragedies to village humour and ghostly encounters, Grave Digger and a Bunch of Other Stories promises readers a journey through life’s fragility, resilience, and charm.

Acclaimed storyteller and Distinguished Toastmaster Matilda Pinto will launch her latest literary work, Grave Digger and a Bunch of Other Stories, on 24th August 2025 at 5:00 PM IST, at A4 Hall, Avila Block, St. Agnes Degree College, Mangaluru.

The event marks the premiere of Pinto’s stirring new collection – seventeen stories that weave truth and fiction into a tapestry of humanity’s fragility, resilience, and quiet strength. From tales inspired by real-life tragedies, like the Syrian migrant crisis, to humorous village anecdotes and even ghost stories, Pinto’s work promises something for every reader.

About the Book

Grave Digger and a Bunch of Other Stories is a 17-story collection weaving truth and fiction to portray the fragile beauty and harsh realities of life. It pays tribute to the marginalised and forgotten—characters like Rosa, Rajamma, Lottery Aulakka—while also offering light-hearted and whimsical pieces. The stories range from poignant human experiences to tech-savvy dialogues, ghostly encounters, and charming animal tales.

Highlights include:

  • The Gift with a Faultline on gifting etiquette.
  • When Dogs Go to Heaven for younger readers.
  • Destiny’s Daughters, Santa Rosa, and Rendezvous with Rajamma—emotive and lasting in impact.
  • Humorous, eccentric voices like “Elderly” with inventive insults.
  • True-to-life vignettes such as the unforgettable saga of Chicko the pig.

With its variety—poignant, witty, ghostly, and tech-infused—this collection makes for a perfect bedside companion, leaving the reader amused, moved, and reflective long after the last page.

About the Author
Matilda Pinto, a retired Women’s College lecturer from Mangalore and a Distinguished Toastmaster, is a passionate storyteller whose works blend empathy, hope, and the quiet strength of ordinary people. Her debut novel, Fisticuffs of the Soul (2017), explored the soul’s struggle for truth and justice. She has also published flash fiction and is set to release A Suitcase Full of Travel Stories. Pinto likens her tales to fine wine—heady, exciting, and timeless.

 Event Details
📅 Date: 24th August 2025
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM IST
📍 Venue: A4 Hall, Avila Block, St. Agnes Degree College, Mangaluru
RSVP: Instagram: @writermatildapinto