It isn’t often that a book captures the soul of a small town.
So, when Anjana Menon’s Onam in a Nightie comes along and does exactly that, then it becomes a book of joy or ‘Simbly’ Delightful.
This witty and insightful potpourri of stories showcases God’s Own Country. It is even more about the town of Thrissur, its people and happenings, against the backdrop of the pandemic. With a keen eye for detail, it is a window to more than a slice of Kerala.
Pandemic aside, it touches a lot that we encounter in our lives. What’s more, it’s juxtaposed with clever observations from Singapore to London. Interweaving hope with the humdrum of people’s lives, the author’s writing style is reminiscent of R K Narayan’s Malgudi Days with a touch of Pico Iyer’s Falling off the Map. There is all the local color woven into a breezy narrative that’s unputdownable.
From jackfruit, coconuts and banana chips to biryani, Ayurveda, tuskers and Thrissur’s famous Vadakkunathan temple — the stories and experiences are rich in imagery and humor. And relatable too. Especially for those who have lived in the northern and southern parts of India. One can’t suppress a smile, when the author talks about "how Diwali arrives in Delhi, delivered by the kitty-party ladies".
It tugs you, teases you and entertains you. Many stories inform you about what makes Kerala so unique, how prisoners in Kerala’s jails run a successful food business or how a women’s co-operative is the largest in the world.
Cleverly funny in so many parts. Like when the author records the reaction of Maya, the Belgian Malinois. "She turns her back on me, disinterested and disappointed. Her job is dead bodies, not live ones."
In the end, it is all the characters that jump out that enliven a book. Sivankutty and the others are at the heart of it, making this an honest and delightful read. A perfect one for a beach satchel or a mountain backpack.
Just read it!