Book Reveiw -A Whimsical Journey Through the Mind of Maria

18th Oct 2024

Blurb: (As on Book)
Following the death of her grandfather, Maria has stopped speaking - not because she can't, but because she doesn't want to.

Now in a psychiatric hospital, as she begins the process of 'reconnecting with reality', Maria recalls her journey of being 'just Maria' - a girl born into a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, whose companions were a grandfather who took her along to wander around the village and its toddy shops, a great-aunt with dementia who challenged Maria's position as the youngest in the family, a dog with a penchant for philosophy, various long-dead family members including a great-grandmother with a knack for prophecies, a patron saint who insisted on interfering in people's affairs, and Karthav Eesho Mishiha with whom Maria has regular conversations.
Sandhya Mary's novel Maria, Just Maria - masterfully translated by the award-winning Jayasree Kalathil - is an insightful and humorous take on ideas like normal-abnormal, natural-human, love-hate, etc. that define contemporary society, and the exuberant and moving story of a woman trying to find her place in this world.
A Whimsical Journey Through the Mind of Maria Sandhya Mary's Maria, Just Maria offers a unique and captivating exploration of a young woman's journey through grief, mental health, and self-discovery. The novel is a blend of humour, pathos, and a touch of the surreal, as Maria navigates a world both familiar and fantastical.



The novel delves into the complexities of grief and its impact on mental health. Maria's refusal to speak is a coping mechanism, a way to shield herself from the pain of loss. Her journey through the psychiatric hospital is a process of reconnecting with reality and finding a way to move forward.
Maria's relationship with her family is central to the story. Her interactions with her grandfather, great-aunt, and ancestors give a gist of family history and cultural traditions. Through these relationships, Maria explores her identity and place in the world.
The novel blends the supernatural with the ordinary. Maria's conversations with Karthav Eesho Mishiha and her encounters with long-dead family members add a layer of magic and wonder to the story. However, these fantastical elements are grounded in Maria's personal experiences and emotions.
Maria, Just Maria has a captivating take on contemporary society. The novel has hues of love, hate, and the blurred lines between normal and abnormal. Through Maria's perspective, readers are provoked to question societal norms and expectations.
Sandhya Mary's Maria, Just Maria is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel. It is a demonstration of the power of storytelling to explore complex themes and offer a unique perspective on the human experience. The regional influence of locations, food specific to that region, and the slangs that are commonly used there drag you closest to "God's own country" Fans of magical realism, literary fiction, and stories about mental health will find this book both enjoyable and rewarding.

Now talking about the cover and format of the book. The cover is brilliant, a huge shoutout to Nupur for that. As your reading progresses, you start interpreting the cover better. The actual stills from the book have been highlighted and represented in a colourful format. The same goes for the format of the book. I love the way a long list of characters has been introduced with such ease that it does not become overwhelming for the reader. Moreover, the characters also come with a purpose and have their roles time bound. This is the first time I have read a book that has been long listed for JCB literature awards and I can't be happier!

The review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program.