What do you think?
The Ghost of Malabar
A spooky tale set in Fort Kochi, the charming seaside city with a long colonial history … Twelve-year-old Edwin blames his father, a wayward fisherman who can never keep a promise, for everything rotten in his life. However, Edwin’s life is catapulted from rotten to outright chaotic when he encounters Velu, the chatty ghost of a fisherman who was slaughtered by Kapitan Vasco da Gama five hundred years ago.
204 pages, Paperback
Published July 25, 2022
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Read
June 17, 2025Beautiful book about a boy and his friendship with a ghost. A very touching story and a hint of comedy around the corners!
April 19, 2023
“Look at these waves, Edwin. They come and go, but still the ocean remains. Just like that, even if people in your life come and go, the memories remain. Appreciate the good times and learn from the challenging ones. That’s what I learned from my teacher, the sea and that’s what I’m teaching you.”
My eyes were glistening with tears when I turned the last page of this book. Who knew a book about the weird friendship between a young boy and a 500-year-old ghost would release the floodgates? 🥺
Edwin, a 12-year-old boy from Kochi, can see and hear ghosts! And much to his dismay, he’s being nagged by the ghost of a man who died 500 years ago when Vasco da Gama invaded India. And the worst part, Velu the ghost is super pesky and naughty and keeps chattering his head off! Edwin tries his best to get the ghost off his back without realising that the ghost has been helping him all along. But why is the ghost still haunting the place? Why can only Edwin see the ghost? How will he prevent his dysfunctional family from crumbling apart? Read the book to find out!
I love it when Middle Grade books discuss hard hitting topics and don’t shy away from packing the punches! Not only is this a tale filled with adventure and fun, it also deals with strained familial relationships and bullying. Bullying was something I endured as a middle schooler and I wanted to jump right into the pages and give Edwin a warm, warm hug! 🥺
You might wonder how a centuries-old ghost befriended a young boy but trust me, Velu is such an adorable goofball! 🥹 He might be a ghost but you would love to have him around and laugh at his hilarious pranks!
This book also highlights a dark period in the history of our country: how the Portuguese invaded India in the 1500s and massacred fishermen and their families alike. It’s important for young readers to know about the past, however sad, and this book does the topic justice.
Don’t we all love it when books transport us to places? This book painted the perfect picture of Kochi in my mind and now I desperately want to visit the beaches and munch on some banana chips!
A big shoutout to Isha Nagar for the adorable illustrations peppered throughout the book that add to the beauty of this poignant tale. 😌
If you’re in the mood for a heart-warming tale that will have you grabbing tissues and yet leaving a smile plastered on your face, pick up this book and go on a journey spanning 500 years along the shores of the Arabian Sea!
My eyes were glistening with tears when I turned the last page of this book. Who knew a book about the weird friendship between a young boy and a 500-year-old ghost would release the floodgates? 🥺
Edwin, a 12-year-old boy from Kochi, can see and hear ghosts! And much to his dismay, he’s being nagged by the ghost of a man who died 500 years ago when Vasco da Gama invaded India. And the worst part, Velu the ghost is super pesky and naughty and keeps chattering his head off! Edwin tries his best to get the ghost off his back without realising that the ghost has been helping him all along. But why is the ghost still haunting the place? Why can only Edwin see the ghost? How will he prevent his dysfunctional family from crumbling apart? Read the book to find out!
I love it when Middle Grade books discuss hard hitting topics and don’t shy away from packing the punches! Not only is this a tale filled with adventure and fun, it also deals with strained familial relationships and bullying. Bullying was something I endured as a middle schooler and I wanted to jump right into the pages and give Edwin a warm, warm hug! 🥺
You might wonder how a centuries-old ghost befriended a young boy but trust me, Velu is such an adorable goofball! 🥹 He might be a ghost but you would love to have him around and laugh at his hilarious pranks!
This book also highlights a dark period in the history of our country: how the Portuguese invaded India in the 1500s and massacred fishermen and their families alike. It’s important for young readers to know about the past, however sad, and this book does the topic justice.
Don’t we all love it when books transport us to places? This book painted the perfect picture of Kochi in my mind and now I desperately want to visit the beaches and munch on some banana chips!
A big shoutout to Isha Nagar for the adorable illustrations peppered throughout the book that add to the beauty of this poignant tale. 😌
If you’re in the mood for a heart-warming tale that will have you grabbing tissues and yet leaving a smile plastered on your face, pick up this book and go on a journey spanning 500 years along the shores of the Arabian Sea!
August 13, 2023
This is a book for secondary school readers, but it doesn't shy away from tackling important topics. Edwin is from a family of fishermen, but his mother is determined to make sure he studies and gets out of the traditional profession. His father used to drink his earnings away, but is now sick, and the needs 2 lakhs for a surgery that might save his life. Edwin is being bullied in school, and doesn't think life can get any worse till he meets a 500 year old ghost. Edwin gets himself in trouble when he attempts to get rid of the ghost, but ultimately, it is the ghost who changes his life for the better.
The plot incorporates a lesser known incident in history, one which we ought to be aware of but are not. Though the incidents described are fictional, by the end of the book, we get a better sense of life in Kochi during the time when Vasco da Gama first set foot on the coast of India.
The book also deals with deeper human emotions, and tackles topics like filial loyalty, love, duty and expectation in a way younger readers can relate to.
Though I loved the happy end, I was almost sad when I came to the end of the last page.
The plot incorporates a lesser known incident in history, one which we ought to be aware of but are not. Though the incidents described are fictional, by the end of the book, we get a better sense of life in Kochi during the time when Vasco da Gama first set foot on the coast of India.
The book also deals with deeper human emotions, and tackles topics like filial loyalty, love, duty and expectation in a way younger readers can relate to.
Though I loved the happy end, I was almost sad when I came to the end of the last page.
November 13, 2023
I had picked up this book assuming it to be a light read. But the story had its layers and it was a gripping tale told beautifully. I loved how a less discussed history became the major topic discussed in this short novel.
The illustrations were minimal and did not break the ease of reading.
The illustrations were minimal and did not break the ease of reading.
October 24, 2023
Spooky but still a good book.
August 15, 2024
A story set in Fort Kochi with historical background.
February 9, 2024
The story was mostly unexciting, and the ending can be seen from a mile away. But the happenings seen through the eyes of an anxious kid were nice. All in all, it's a passable book, nothing interesting but perfectly harmless time-pass.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews