Book Review # 173 A Boy Called Ambi : Srividhya Venkatesan ,Gayathri Venkatesan

 

Blurb:

Ambi, while relaxing on a rocking chair, decides to time travel back to his nostalgic times – Ambi's journey from the south to the north. The story goes around the beautiful memories of his childhood and the way things have changed in the last four decades. 

“Little boy Ambi was standing in the queue outside the shop for the age-old delicious Tirunelveli Iruttu Kadai Halwa.”

Sailing through his own memories and re-living those wonderful moments has given him a chance to feel his childhood again and for sure, this is the best feeling for most of us. The era free from WhatsApp, email, messengers, phones was more fun than the world Ambi is living in today.

Raja calls Ambi: “Sir, my son is back! My dear son who was lost in Kumbh Mela 4 years ago!! I can’t thank you enough for all the support and guidance.” Raja was full of happy tears. Ambi’s happiness had no boundaries. He felt like he had won a trophy. The solace of helping someone in need is immeasurable.

Let’s rejoice and celebrate such moments with Ambi.

My Take:

2020 favorites. A very beautifully written story. A story that everyone connects to. A narration that has something for everyone. Such beautiful narration about simple things in life and the experiences every South Indian or otherwise would connect to.

The experiences of Ambi are somethings we all have too experienced, yet are unable to express in right words. The authors have given words to our thoughts. The simple life then is written about so beautifully and lively that we crave to go back in time and experience them again. The traditions and the festival rituals are written with such finesse that I felt like watching them live and transported back to childhood when we too used to follow these rituals as a child.

But with changing time sadly most of the rituals are depleting. Sad truth of life. But would urge the next generation to read and at least experience via stories how being simple was easy and best. The delicacies and the emotions used for explaining them makes it more endearing. 

Strongly recommended to all. Pick this simple book and enjoy the life story and best moments of Ambi. It's about a man who has seen the good and the bad taken the good experiences and learnt from bad ones and lived life happily.

Rating:

5/5