Story telling is an art and Sudha Murty is a master of that art. For an aspiring author like me, who at times has big dreams and is tempted to use complicated words
to impress others, her writing style is an eye opener. when you read the story, it is as if the words have flown effortlessly from the author's heart and mind.
To tell the truth, if I write reviews for authors like her or Ruskin Bond, it would always be related to how I was taken back to my childhood days and how many of the incidents mentioned by them actually happened with me. In any case, let me go ahead with my thoughts.
Book, Title and the Cover
As the title says, it is definitely a story set in India. The cover page has a small girl with round eyes and a beautiful smile. You can actually feel her excitement with the background of an old temple.
Hat's off to Priyankar Gupta for the illustration.
The Plot
Our author first sets a context on why she thought about the story. You can feel her love for her family.
The story revolves around the character 'Nooni', is set in a summer vacation when she goes to her Paternal Grandparent's village in Karnataka. I can definitely relate to this, as I used to do this!
Nooni not just enjoys her stay but also learns a lot. In the six weeks she spends in the village, she learns about the simple yet beautiful life the villagers lead, about families sit and eat together. She realizes how families come together to celebrate a marriage in the village. The author, through Nooni, also draws a comparison between the fast paced life in a city at every instance. The aged grandparents and the villagers give lessons from life which not just stay with Nooni but also stays with the readers.
Village kids learn a lot through nature and Nooni does realize that knowledge is not the one which is restricted to books or confined to a classroom.
While the grandmother tells a fantasy story, the grandfather gives a practical perspective to the story.
I definitely missed my grandmother when Nooni is given an oil and shikakai bath , when she walks through the garden filled with medicinal herbs and when the duo have the story telling session in the night.
Along with Nooni, the reader also undergoes what could be called as a personality development. She also learns team work.
I can go on and on but would not reveal the secret of the 'temple'. One must read to experience it.
Verdict
Absolute delight for a reader. Grab a copy now!
Message for the Author
A BIGGGG Thanks for taking me back to my childhood.
Reminded of Jagjit Singh's song - 'Ye daulat bhi lelo, ye shohrat bhi lelo. Bhale cheen lo mujhse meri jawani. Magar mujhko lauta do bachpan ka sawan, vo kagaz ki kashti wo baarish ka paani' (you can take away my name and fame and even my youth, but please give me back those beautiful memories associated with my childhood)
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