My Life in Bits and Pieces by Santoshkumar Uppinal

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The book has poetry along with beautiful minimalistic illustrations, and introductory prose pieces that help in establishing the context of the next poem. Throughout the narration we see the different stages of life that our protagonist experiences. There are hardly any secondary characters, the crux of the story is based entirely on this singular central figure and yet we never get to know her name. Perhaps, it is this absence of a specific identity that makes it universal and relatable to readers, or perhaps it is the disarming candour with which she expresses her angst, grief, anxiety and her fervent admiration as well as newfound love that engages us. But there is something about it that holds your attention and urges you to turn the pages.

The beauty of this book lies not in the language itself, which although rich in vocabulary, misses the mark by a couple of inches in the natural fluidity or eloquence that one expects in a haibun or other poetic compositions; but it is the ingenuity of the subject and the manner in which it covers that. Despite the traumatic events she witnessed, in spite of all her misgivings and apprehensions, she journeys through life and finds herself feeling exactly the same emotions that any other person would. It makes her humane and it keeps the character rooted.

One might consider such optimism slightly far-fetched but sometimes, it is important to remember that our past can influence the way we react to or interpret a situation, but it is our decisions that eventually give shape to our future. Recommended for adventurous readers who won't shy away from new forms of writing.

(Note: Obtained as ARC on Reedsy Discovery)



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