suchitra pillai
Being a Malayali, I have a strong affinity to things that have a Malayali connect. I read a lot. And the one book, which I feel has successfully captured the essence of Kerala is Booker prize-winning author Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things. The story is lovely and convinced me that Roy is a great storyteller.
Reading it was akin to a nostalgic trip to God’s own country. This fascinating novel set in the late 1960s India, is the story of two twins Rahel and Estha and the family secrets that unfold.
I would not say that it was easy to understand in anyway, but it makes intelligent reading. I read it years back when it was released in 1998. A lot had been said about the writer as well as the book, so I was compelled to pick it up. But once I started, I could not put it down for a moment. And that is a sign of good writing because it completely sucks you in.
Drawn from experiences in Roy’s life, it tells the tragic story of a society divided by social prejudices. Well-crafted characters and an amazing plot take you into the fascinating world and the imagery created in the prose displays Roy’s stronghold over words.
It reminded me of all those days when I used to go to Kerala for my summer holidays. It brought to life the stories that my mom told me. It talks of a life that I had spent in a place so calm and innocent. It was like a breath of fresh air. I can say that Arundhati Roy’s Kerala is my Kerala.
For me, this is also one of the books that I can read and immediately want to re-read.