The title hooked me. For a debut novel, it's really good, compared to the trash that 'young Indian novelist' seem to be putting out nowadays.
It starts with the Mallu mumbaikar Varghese. Jobless, handsome and about to commit suicide. The story takes off on two tangents, one that traces Varghese's father Kochapu's life and landing in Mumbai and the other follows Varghese and the fantastical journey that follows his attempted suicide. The characters are so well fleshed out, it's like you have met them somewhere. A few tend to become caricatures, but for a first time novelist, I am willing to forgive. The 'manager' Karan, the Irish Indian Patricia, Kochapu, Maria and above all Varghese are characters you will remember long after putting the book down.
It's black mallu humour at its best. Politics, Godmen, Chamchas, filmwallas and anglo indian lovers weave in and out while we read on smirking, sometimes smiling until the end, where like any true blooded malayali artiste, the worst outcome has to happen. (think any movie worth mentioning from kerala, or any major work of literature - Tragic outcomes are a must!)
7/10
It starts with the Mallu mumbaikar Varghese. Jobless, handsome and about to commit suicide. The story takes off on two tangents, one that traces Varghese's father Kochapu's life and landing in Mumbai and the other follows Varghese and the fantastical journey that follows his attempted suicide. The characters are so well fleshed out, it's like you have met them somewhere. A few tend to become caricatures, but for a first time novelist, I am willing to forgive. The 'manager' Karan, the Irish Indian Patricia, Kochapu, Maria and above all Varghese are characters you will remember long after putting the book down.
It's black mallu humour at its best. Politics, Godmen, Chamchas, filmwallas and anglo indian lovers weave in and out while we read on smirking, sometimes smiling until the end, where like any true blooded malayali artiste, the worst outcome has to happen. (think any movie worth mentioning from kerala, or any major work of literature - Tragic outcomes are a must!)
7/10
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