A face-to-face confrontation between the World War II legend Rommel and a Malayalee army doctor, a mercenary versus a saint – such adventures, pastoral cameos, tales of the kindness of strangers and many others take one on a journey along a path that is much more than a trip down memory lane. This varied trail shows the minimalistic and partly cynical ethos of Kerala through a collage of its artefacts, architecture, customs, forebearers, and local and family lore. It winds mainly around ‘The House’ – the author’s ancestral home, and the people and verdure of his beloved village, Olavipe.
The journey is enriched by glimpses of the quiet, green city that was the Bangalore of old and its colourful characters and by homage to Indian hockey heroes.
Scenes on and around the Vembanad Lake of the Alleppey district of Kerala are some of the many images interspersed throughout the book, drawing one into a serene world contrasting with the frenetic pace of life today.
To those who enjoy observing different communities and cultures, this book has much to offer.
