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Susanna's Granthapura
Why does the usually aloof and reticent Paul suddenly want to meet Ali after Susanna's death? Why does the possibility of an unfinished manuscript by a long-forgotten writer fascinate Ali and Abhi to the extent that they undertake a journey to Marayoor, a town deep in the heart of Kerala to meet the unknown Susanna?
First published in Malayalam in 2019, Susanna's Granthapura is Ajai Mangattu's uniquely crafted novel that celebrates the strong bonds that form between people who share a love of reading and of books.
First published in Malayalam in 2019, Susanna's Granthapura is Ajai Mangattu's uniquely crafted novel that celebrates the strong bonds that form between people who share a love of reading and of books.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published November 3, 2023
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 2, 2024
This was a chance discovery in an airport bookstore. I had never heard of the book before but the blurb fascinated me. A book about people who are obsessed with books and documenting memories. As someone who is currently working on a project that is about correlating memories to the historical context they belong to, this book felt like a sign from the universe. I started reading it as I waited to the board the first of two flights and wrapped it up on the fourth and last flight back. I loved how it was about journeys that were punctuated by books that resonated at each phase. The characters were well-defined and fluid at the same time. I could visualize the Malayali and Tamizh setting clearly while also feeling like I was moving through a dream, much like Alice in Wonderland. I highly recommend this book for all readers and writers who love reading and writing for the sake of reading and writing.
December 22, 2023
Book: Susanna's Granthpura
Author: Ajai P. Mangattu
Translator: Catherine Thankamma
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 265
Ali and Abhi undertake a journey to Marayur, a small town in Western Ghats in Kerela in the hope of discovering an unfinished manuscript by a long-forgotten author, and there they meet Susanna, who might help them find the manuscript in her Achan's books collection! But when years later Ali gets a call from Paul, Susanna's son, days after her death, he wonders what could be the reason behind it. What could happen to one in finding a long-lost manuscript?
This book is a reader's delight. With so many literary references, conversations, and mentions, one might become overwhelmed and there comes a moment when one might forget what the story is about and be completely immersed in the literary talks and references.
The description of the beauty of the Western Ghats and Kerela was a delight to read and make one long to see and visit it. The book is rich with deep impacting lines in between, giving a lot of food for thought.
The translator says in the translator note that "While each of the references is integral to the novel's thematic and structural progression, I was wary not to miss the forest for the trees, for I realized that a strict adherence to the narrative style of the source text would weaken the tautness and structural integrity of the translation." And I so agree with it. The translation was very smooth and the translator deserves appreciation for it.
But for me, the story in itself does not have much to offer nor the characters and that's the reason why it took me so long to finish it(literally months!). The narrative and descriptions in some places are a little creepy. In between the short-length chapters, the story goes on but in between so many literary references, the story takes a little backseat, making me feel disconnected with it multiple times.
Although it's my first novel in Malayalam Literature, this is the third book from it that I read this year, and the only thing I have to say at least about it is - Astonishing. Subversive Whispers by Manasi(translated by J. Devika) and Marquez EMS Gulam & Others by Benyamin (translated by Swarup B.R.) were other two books and the writing styles of all of them are so different, yet uniquely astonishing in their way. There is a sense of rawness, captivity, and bringing things from the surroundings in a perspective that one might not observe otherwise! And that makes it astonishingly astonishing for me if that's a word! And I surely want to explore more Malayalam Literature.
I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Ajai P. Mangattu
Translator: Catherine Thankamma
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Viking
Pages: 265
Ali and Abhi undertake a journey to Marayur, a small town in Western Ghats in Kerela in the hope of discovering an unfinished manuscript by a long-forgotten author, and there they meet Susanna, who might help them find the manuscript in her Achan's books collection! But when years later Ali gets a call from Paul, Susanna's son, days after her death, he wonders what could be the reason behind it. What could happen to one in finding a long-lost manuscript?
This book is a reader's delight. With so many literary references, conversations, and mentions, one might become overwhelmed and there comes a moment when one might forget what the story is about and be completely immersed in the literary talks and references.
The description of the beauty of the Western Ghats and Kerela was a delight to read and make one long to see and visit it. The book is rich with deep impacting lines in between, giving a lot of food for thought.
The translator says in the translator note that "While each of the references is integral to the novel's thematic and structural progression, I was wary not to miss the forest for the trees, for I realized that a strict adherence to the narrative style of the source text would weaken the tautness and structural integrity of the translation." And I so agree with it. The translation was very smooth and the translator deserves appreciation for it.
But for me, the story in itself does not have much to offer nor the characters and that's the reason why it took me so long to finish it(literally months!). The narrative and descriptions in some places are a little creepy. In between the short-length chapters, the story goes on but in between so many literary references, the story takes a little backseat, making me feel disconnected with it multiple times.
Although it's my first novel in Malayalam Literature, this is the third book from it that I read this year, and the only thing I have to say at least about it is - Astonishing. Subversive Whispers by Manasi(translated by J. Devika) and Marquez EMS Gulam & Others by Benyamin (translated by Swarup B.R.) were other two books and the writing styles of all of them are so different, yet uniquely astonishing in their way. There is a sense of rawness, captivity, and bringing things from the surroundings in a perspective that one might not observe otherwise! And that makes it astonishingly astonishing for me if that's a word! And I surely want to explore more Malayalam Literature.
I received the copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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August 9, 2023~ Can a reader be annoying? ~
Susanna's Granthapura, a tale seemingly woven to celebrate the powerful bonds forged through shared literary passions. Ali, the narrator of the novel and Abhi develop a friendship over books and somehow stumble upon a possibility of an unfinished manuscript of a novel by a long forgotten writer. That takes them to a small town Marayoor to meet the writer's daughter, Susanna. Years later when Susanna is dead, Ali finds her son Paul at his doorstep.
If you, like me, are starting to think that the manuscript might be the centrepiece of the novel, you my friend are mistaken, for its presence wanes beyond the initial chapters and a fleeting finale. The book for a larger part reads like when you are talking to a passionate reader who often divulges into stories they read or heard somewhere, some trivia about an author they came across in between conversations. The small chapters, akin to vignettes in a larger mosaic, unfurl Ali's musings, his encounters, and a medley of authors, all marinated with the flavours of their works, lives, and perhaps a tinge of whimsy. One might even muse whether 'Ali's Diary' could've been a better title for it.
I'd use the author's own words to describe the essence of the book
'… the recital was not for me, he was recalling memories to himself, lest he forgot; or maybe some memories just thrust aside others to come to the surface. People who carry a load of memories like pages stacked together cannot restrain the urge to flip through them, at least once in a while'
For the most part, I didn't necessarily like the narrator's voice, it turned rather frustrating for me towards the end. The book has its moments while it discusses individual stories of some interesting characters that came in Ali's life, but it falls short as the overarching narrative yearns for a more cohesive structure.
To navigate the tricky terrain of critique that I am a little hesitant to write here is about the male gaze that we often talk about in portrayals of women in cinema or literature. I felt that it was evident in this book whenever a female character comes across. For instance, there is a section in the book where Ali is trying to write a book but unable to find any inspiration, he seeks help from a published author Bhanumathi. As she is telling about how her father used to abuse her and she wanted an escape from her house, he wonders whether her breasts are the same size! It was something I couldn't make any sense of or take it off of my head.
Susanna's Granthapura, a tale seemingly woven to celebrate the powerful bonds forged through shared literary passions. Ali, the narrator of the novel and Abhi develop a friendship over books and somehow stumble upon a possibility of an unfinished manuscript of a novel by a long forgotten writer. That takes them to a small town Marayoor to meet the writer's daughter, Susanna. Years later when Susanna is dead, Ali finds her son Paul at his doorstep.
If you, like me, are starting to think that the manuscript might be the centrepiece of the novel, you my friend are mistaken, for its presence wanes beyond the initial chapters and a fleeting finale. The book for a larger part reads like when you are talking to a passionate reader who often divulges into stories they read or heard somewhere, some trivia about an author they came across in between conversations. The small chapters, akin to vignettes in a larger mosaic, unfurl Ali's musings, his encounters, and a medley of authors, all marinated with the flavours of their works, lives, and perhaps a tinge of whimsy. One might even muse whether 'Ali's Diary' could've been a better title for it.
I'd use the author's own words to describe the essence of the book
'… the recital was not for me, he was recalling memories to himself, lest he forgot; or maybe some memories just thrust aside others to come to the surface. People who carry a load of memories like pages stacked together cannot restrain the urge to flip through them, at least once in a while'
For the most part, I didn't necessarily like the narrator's voice, it turned rather frustrating for me towards the end. The book has its moments while it discusses individual stories of some interesting characters that came in Ali's life, but it falls short as the overarching narrative yearns for a more cohesive structure.
To navigate the tricky terrain of critique that I am a little hesitant to write here is about the male gaze that we often talk about in portrayals of women in cinema or literature. I felt that it was evident in this book whenever a female character comes across. For instance, there is a section in the book where Ali is trying to write a book but unable to find any inspiration, he seeks help from a published author Bhanumathi. As she is telling about how her father used to abuse her and she wanted an escape from her house, he wonders whether her breasts are the same size! It was something I couldn't make any sense of or take it off of my head.
September 5, 2023
The story dramatically starts when her son Paul wants to meet Ali after Susanna's death. Years ago, an unfinished manuscript led Ali and Abhi on a journey to Marayoor, where they met Susanna and like a web several other threads spread out of it.
The book doesn’t exactly draw out a story about which I can summarise here; rather it’s a brilliantly crafted novel that talks about translations, readers, books, authors, and how all of this creates a strong bond among people.
I loved reading it, every page of it. Being a person from the North I also had the opportunity to see the cities of Kerala through the eyes of the author. I felt a curiosity to travel solo, I found myself inclining more toward solitude, I embraced grief, I realized the importance of being low-key, and I accepted life for the relations we build while living.
This book is meant to be hugged, and all the readers, especially those who read heart-wrenching stories will love this book till the end. The end of the story is so weirdly comforting for me, although if I mentioned here what happened in the end many of you would shriek out and close your eyes. But believe me, it’s weirdly comforting. You will know once you read the book.
Ajai P. Mangkattu no doubt delivers one of his best works in this novel, but Catherine Thankamma didn’t even leave a spike to be pulled out in her translation.
Also, she said that translation is like Surrogacy. This is the most accurate thing I ever heard.
The book doesn’t exactly draw out a story about which I can summarise here; rather it’s a brilliantly crafted novel that talks about translations, readers, books, authors, and how all of this creates a strong bond among people.
I loved reading it, every page of it. Being a person from the North I also had the opportunity to see the cities of Kerala through the eyes of the author. I felt a curiosity to travel solo, I found myself inclining more toward solitude, I embraced grief, I realized the importance of being low-key, and I accepted life for the relations we build while living.
This book is meant to be hugged, and all the readers, especially those who read heart-wrenching stories will love this book till the end. The end of the story is so weirdly comforting for me, although if I mentioned here what happened in the end many of you would shriek out and close your eyes. But believe me, it’s weirdly comforting. You will know once you read the book.
Ajai P. Mangkattu no doubt delivers one of his best works in this novel, but Catherine Thankamma didn’t even leave a spike to be pulled out in her translation.
Also, she said that translation is like Surrogacy. This is the most accurate thing I ever heard.
December 19, 2023
How far will you go to look for an incomplete manuscript?
Susanna's Granthapura is a book that talks about different authors, books, reading, writing, making different kinds of relationships during life and developing bonds that help us sail through life and of course somewhere understanding oneself too.
The book starts when Susanna's son Paul contacts Abhi after her death. Many years ago an unfinished manuscript led Ali and Abhi to Susanna in Marayoor and the web of exploration and life started from there. The book involves multiple characters with various familiar traits and lessons for the reader.
The book is a complete, interesting package for a reader to know about authors and books. On top of that the whole story revolves around looking for an unfinished manuscript which makes it more fascinating that how the author has laid this web of thoughts. The character description and development is not only thought through but the landscape description and coverage is also nicely written. One will get to explore and experience various places of the South through the book, being a North Indian it made me want to visit there.
Usually things get lost in translation but I feel nothing is lost here and the book will stay with me for a long time and I'm going to come back to it to read many of my highlighted parts.
Susanna's Granthapura is a book that talks about different authors, books, reading, writing, making different kinds of relationships during life and developing bonds that help us sail through life and of course somewhere understanding oneself too.
The book starts when Susanna's son Paul contacts Abhi after her death. Many years ago an unfinished manuscript led Ali and Abhi to Susanna in Marayoor and the web of exploration and life started from there. The book involves multiple characters with various familiar traits and lessons for the reader.
The book is a complete, interesting package for a reader to know about authors and books. On top of that the whole story revolves around looking for an unfinished manuscript which makes it more fascinating that how the author has laid this web of thoughts. The character description and development is not only thought through but the landscape description and coverage is also nicely written. One will get to explore and experience various places of the South through the book, being a North Indian it made me want to visit there.
Usually things get lost in translation but I feel nothing is lost here and the book will stay with me for a long time and I'm going to come back to it to read many of my highlighted parts.
April 2, 2025
An absolute masterpiece, Susanna's Granthapura enthralls from the first page. With exquisite detail, the author brings the lively world of Granthapura to life through a rich tapestry of personalities and emotions. Heartwarming and thought-provoking, the story skillfully explores themes of love, sorrow, and resiliency. What truly sets this book apart is its ability to transport readers to another place and time, immersing them in the culture and traditions of Granthapura. It's a beautifully crafted tale that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.
'Susanna’s Granthapura' is a must-read!"
I hope this captures the essence of the book for you! 📚✨
'Susanna’s Granthapura' is a must-read!"
I hope this captures the essence of the book for you! 📚✨
October 19, 2025
I really loved this book. Flowed really well, and after I figured out the narrative style which took a little bit at the beginning, I was very wrapped into the story.
Beautiful description and the references to other works, especially Neruda's poetry was engaging and meaningful. Definitely one of my favourite novels of the last few years, and easily topped the lists of books I've read this year.
Beautiful description and the references to other works, especially Neruda's poetry was engaging and meaningful. Definitely one of my favourite novels of the last few years, and easily topped the lists of books I've read this year.
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October 29, 2023Wonderful novel. A book about books, set in Kerala.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews