What do you think?
Rate this book
Maria, Just Maria
'A rare novel.' - S. HAREESH
'A must-read!' - DAISY ROCKWELL
Following the death of her grandfather, Maria has stopped speaking - not because she can't, but because she doesn't want to.
Now in a psychiatric hospital, as she begins the process of 'reconnecting with reality', Maria recalls her journey of being 'just Maria' - a girl born into a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, whose companions were a grandfather who took her along to wander around the village and its toddy shops, a great-aunt with dementia who challenged Maria's position as the youngest in the family, a dog with a penchant for philosophy, various long-dead family members including a great-grandmother with a knack for prophecies, a patron saint who insisted on interfering in people's affairs, and Karthav Eesho Mishiha with whom Maria has regular conversations.
Sandhya Mary's novel Maria, Just Maria - masterfully translated by the award-winning Jayasree Kalathil - is an insightful and humorous take on ideas like normal-abnormal, natural-human, love-hate, etc. that define contemporary society, and the exuberant and moving story of a woman trying to find her place in this world.
'A must-read!' - DAISY ROCKWELL
Following the death of her grandfather, Maria has stopped speaking - not because she can't, but because she doesn't want to.
Now in a psychiatric hospital, as she begins the process of 'reconnecting with reality', Maria recalls her journey of being 'just Maria' - a girl born into a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, whose companions were a grandfather who took her along to wander around the village and its toddy shops, a great-aunt with dementia who challenged Maria's position as the youngest in the family, a dog with a penchant for philosophy, various long-dead family members including a great-grandmother with a knack for prophecies, a patron saint who insisted on interfering in people's affairs, and Karthav Eesho Mishiha with whom Maria has regular conversations.
Sandhya Mary's novel Maria, Just Maria - masterfully translated by the award-winning Jayasree Kalathil - is an insightful and humorous take on ideas like normal-abnormal, natural-human, love-hate, etc. that define contemporary society, and the exuberant and moving story of a woman trying to find her place in this world.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
41 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Read
November 14, 2024Though JK tries everything (and often successful) to translate SM's original Malayalam, English betrays the humour. Feels so sad for non-Malayalis.
December 3, 2024
4.5
Maria, Just Maria is a delightful book that surpassed my expectations. Written by Sandhya Mary in Malayalam and translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil this novel chronicles the life of Maria, a rather peculiar and honest girl and her journey into adulthood. The story opens with Maria living in a psychiatric asylum, the very first sentence capturing the reader’s attention. And thus begins the amusing and also a bit of a melancholic story of our Maria, the girl who lived in her own world, unperturbed by the way others perceived her.
My first thought after reading this novel was how much I adored and loved the protagonist. Growing up with her grandparents, Maria never had a clear idea of who her parents actually were. Her life revolved around Kottarathil Veedu, where her grandparents and aunts lived for decades. She liked some of them and disliked the rest but her best friend was a dog who went by the name Chandi, because he understood Maria and had regular conversations with her. We get a detailed family history of the girl, including a brief chapter narrated by her dear Appachan. This family history was another entertaining angle to the story, funny and bizarrely normal like that of many Indians.
Contrary to what one might think, Maria, Just Maria is also a thought provoking book because it sheds the layers of normalcy and what we usually consider as the right ideas. It makes you look at things differently, like a bat hanging upside down from a tree. The narrative is brilliant and the translation, seamless.
Maria, Just Maria is a lighthearted tale of an utterly normal girl who questions the world, talks to her dog and loves toddy and her appachan. Perhaps it is not Maria who is strange but the world which refuses to accept the change.
Thanks for the copy @harpercollinsin 🤍
Maria, Just Maria is a delightful book that surpassed my expectations. Written by Sandhya Mary in Malayalam and translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil this novel chronicles the life of Maria, a rather peculiar and honest girl and her journey into adulthood. The story opens with Maria living in a psychiatric asylum, the very first sentence capturing the reader’s attention. And thus begins the amusing and also a bit of a melancholic story of our Maria, the girl who lived in her own world, unperturbed by the way others perceived her.
My first thought after reading this novel was how much I adored and loved the protagonist. Growing up with her grandparents, Maria never had a clear idea of who her parents actually were. Her life revolved around Kottarathil Veedu, where her grandparents and aunts lived for decades. She liked some of them and disliked the rest but her best friend was a dog who went by the name Chandi, because he understood Maria and had regular conversations with her. We get a detailed family history of the girl, including a brief chapter narrated by her dear Appachan. This family history was another entertaining angle to the story, funny and bizarrely normal like that of many Indians.
Contrary to what one might think, Maria, Just Maria is also a thought provoking book because it sheds the layers of normalcy and what we usually consider as the right ideas. It makes you look at things differently, like a bat hanging upside down from a tree. The narrative is brilliant and the translation, seamless.
Maria, Just Maria is a lighthearted tale of an utterly normal girl who questions the world, talks to her dog and loves toddy and her appachan. Perhaps it is not Maria who is strange but the world which refuses to accept the change.
Thanks for the copy @harpercollinsin 🤍
May 13, 2025
An extraordinary book—one of the best books I have read recently. Hilarious, profound and fascinating. A wonderful study of madness and womanhood/coming-of-age in a world dictated by binaries.
April 17, 2025
2.5 ⭐
I liked parts of it but this book was not for me. This opinion could be subjective as I,personally, didn't like the writing style much.
I understood the message this book was trying to convey, just didn't like the way it was done.
The book was hard to follow and the disconnect became disorienting at times.
I liked parts of it but this book was not for me. This opinion could be subjective as I,personally, didn't like the writing style much.
I understood the message this book was trying to convey, just didn't like the way it was done.
The book was hard to follow and the disconnect became disorienting at times.
September 10, 2024
"We know life is finite. Why should we believe death lasts forever? - Held, Anne Michaels
Isn't it true?
who told us death is forever?
What if what we think is true may be the biggest lie. What if we are only daydreaming our life & death is when we actually live
Much like..what is Normal..who decides what is normal..who sets the standards, the limits?
But nevertheless our society loves to be the judge & decide to pass the verdict on Maria, whose eccentricities get labelled as madness & her ways of living life as deranged behaviour
“Madness is often an easy solution for writers to conclude a story, especially stories with a hero or heroine in the grip of an existential crisis"
Maria's quirkiness isn't tolerated by her parents & thus is sent away to her grandparents house. The crux of the book talks about the bond b/w Maria & another quirky & fantastic character Geevarghese, her grandfather. Maria becomes grandfather's shadow, visits all the places he goes too, including toddy shops
Even after that, it isn't an easy childhood for Maria, which leaves a visible dent on her
It's a non linear plot, which travels in reverse, from Maria's present, in Hospital to her past, conveyed through a range of characters from Maria's great - grandfather to grandmother to aunts, with overlapping perspectives
While Maria with varied eccentricities adds on so much to the innovative plot but the character that stood out the most was her talking- philosopher- dog Chandipatti
The unique plot & the questions raised by the author are its remarkable features but for me connecting with range of characters was a challenge. Also added hindrance was usage of words from the original language making it difficult for me to connect with the plot
I didn't enjoy the book thoroughly but won't advise you to give it a miss. The uniqueness of the plot is definitely one to be experienced
If Translator had decided to keep the mere essence of the original intact, it would have worked much better for me. But the choice of keeping lot of words from vernacular language intact, specially the names of relationships Maria shared with others, made it a slog
Yet read it to experience novelty of text
Isn't it true?
who told us death is forever?
What if what we think is true may be the biggest lie. What if we are only daydreaming our life & death is when we actually live
Much like..what is Normal..who decides what is normal..who sets the standards, the limits?
But nevertheless our society loves to be the judge & decide to pass the verdict on Maria, whose eccentricities get labelled as madness & her ways of living life as deranged behaviour
“Madness is often an easy solution for writers to conclude a story, especially stories with a hero or heroine in the grip of an existential crisis"
Maria's quirkiness isn't tolerated by her parents & thus is sent away to her grandparents house. The crux of the book talks about the bond b/w Maria & another quirky & fantastic character Geevarghese, her grandfather. Maria becomes grandfather's shadow, visits all the places he goes too, including toddy shops
Even after that, it isn't an easy childhood for Maria, which leaves a visible dent on her
It's a non linear plot, which travels in reverse, from Maria's present, in Hospital to her past, conveyed through a range of characters from Maria's great - grandfather to grandmother to aunts, with overlapping perspectives
While Maria with varied eccentricities adds on so much to the innovative plot but the character that stood out the most was her talking- philosopher- dog Chandipatti
The unique plot & the questions raised by the author are its remarkable features but for me connecting with range of characters was a challenge. Also added hindrance was usage of words from the original language making it difficult for me to connect with the plot
I didn't enjoy the book thoroughly but won't advise you to give it a miss. The uniqueness of the plot is definitely one to be experienced
If Translator had decided to keep the mere essence of the original intact, it would have worked much better for me. But the choice of keeping lot of words from vernacular language intact, specially the names of relationships Maria shared with others, made it a slog
Yet read it to experience novelty of text
October 15, 2024
After reading numerous favourable reviews, I decided to choose Maria Just Maria as my first read from the 2024 JCB Prize Longlist. Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I liked the charming eccentricity but I found the story excessively meandering without ever seeming to be heading anywhere. For a short book I felt that the number of characters, many of them purely incidental, was overwhelming. Not being a native to India, I was confused by their names and nicknames. A list of characters and a glossary would have been appreciated.
March 11, 2024
Read my review published in The Federal here: https://thefederal.com/category/featu...
"In an interview with translator, Jayasree Kalathil, the Malayalam writer Sandhya Mary confesses that Maria Verum Maria – rendered into English as Maria, Just Maria – was never meant to be a novel. She just wanted to see how crazy her thoughts could go while she led a “normal – well, almost normal – life” and started writing these down in the form of notes. So, for her, writing Maria was like a “celebration of everything ‘not normal’”. It is the story of a neglected little girl growing up in a world that is divided into strict binaries. Maria has not made a strong enough impression or singled herself out to demand the attention of her parents who are too occupied with her three siblings. The responsibility of bringing her up passes on to her maternal grandparents, Geevarghese and Mariyamma. She lives at Kottarathil Veedu, the ancestral home, where she is left to her own devices."
"In an interview with translator, Jayasree Kalathil, the Malayalam writer Sandhya Mary confesses that Maria Verum Maria – rendered into English as Maria, Just Maria – was never meant to be a novel. She just wanted to see how crazy her thoughts could go while she led a “normal – well, almost normal – life” and started writing these down in the form of notes. So, for her, writing Maria was like a “celebration of everything ‘not normal’”. It is the story of a neglected little girl growing up in a world that is divided into strict binaries. Maria has not made a strong enough impression or singled herself out to demand the attention of her parents who are too occupied with her three siblings. The responsibility of bringing her up passes on to her maternal grandparents, Geevarghese and Mariyamma. She lives at Kottarathil Veedu, the ancestral home, where she is left to her own devices."
February 13, 2024
This was such a delightful read. Told from the perspective of a child who’s considered mad because she is different. It was almost a lighthearted read, but leaves you with so many questions on what and who is ‘normal’. Added bonus- a talking dog with an attitude, a statue that decides to enter the dreams of people and a black Jesus who can’t figure the world out.
A more detailed review here: https://https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/...
A more detailed review here: https://https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/...
December 31, 2024
A whimsical, magical tale of normality and madness, of normal versus eccentric, of society versus self.
I was engrossed in the world created by Maria,....just Maria.
I was engrossed in the world created by Maria,....just Maria.
May 21, 2025
Na začetku romana srečamo Mario v psihiatrični bolnišnici, kjer naj bi se zdravila od svoje norosti in poizkušala dobiti kontakt s svetom.
Maria se spominja dogodkov iz preteklosti, ne nujno linearno, podaja pa tudi mišljenje določenih oseb iz svojega kroga, kaj je privedlo do njene "norosti" - pišem namenoma v narekovaju, ker norost oziroma normalnost definira družba, v kateri živimo.
Skozi Mariine spomine, vse od rojstva v krščanski družini v Kerali, spoznamo njeno družino in že preminule prednike. Živi, duhovi mrtvih, bogovi ter empatične, inteligentne živali, še posebej pa ded oziroma Appachan, so vsi pustili svoj odtis na Mario, njeno razmišljanje in doživljanje sveta. Kje so meje resnice, kaj so sanje, kaj se smatra kot privid? Je norost - ali drugačno doživljanje sveta okoli sebe - posledica okolja ali prirojena?
Maria, Just Maria je roman, ki se me je dotaknil. Brala sem ga z užitkom, na trenutke me je vzdušje spominjalo na Sto let samote, a ima vseeno več realnosti kot magije. Knjiga se je uvrstila med moje najljubše, vem, da jo bom ponovno brala in odkrivala nove sloje.
Maria se spominja dogodkov iz preteklosti, ne nujno linearno, podaja pa tudi mišljenje določenih oseb iz svojega kroga, kaj je privedlo do njene "norosti" - pišem namenoma v narekovaju, ker norost oziroma normalnost definira družba, v kateri živimo.
Skozi Mariine spomine, vse od rojstva v krščanski družini v Kerali, spoznamo njeno družino in že preminule prednike. Živi, duhovi mrtvih, bogovi ter empatične, inteligentne živali, še posebej pa ded oziroma Appachan, so vsi pustili svoj odtis na Mario, njeno razmišljanje in doživljanje sveta. Kje so meje resnice, kaj so sanje, kaj se smatra kot privid? Je norost - ali drugačno doživljanje sveta okoli sebe - posledica okolja ali prirojena?
Maria, Just Maria je roman, ki se me je dotaknil. Brala sem ga z užitkom, na trenutke me je vzdušje spominjalo na Sto let samote, a ima vseeno več realnosti kot magije. Knjiga se je uvrstila med moje najljubše, vem, da jo bom ponovno brala in odkrivala nove sloje.
April 28, 2025
As the title suggests, this book is about Maria. But can a person truly be just themselves without any attachments or history because what else is a person if not for the people they connect with and the stories they create? As Dostoevsky said, "But how could you live and have no story to tell?" This book is about the stories that Maria has to tell, about her present condition as an old woman in a psychiatric hospital and about her past as a child that everyone called mad.
In complete honesty, the story felt confusing in part 1 as I had gone into the story blind, but the choice of the confusing non-normative narrative, I believe, was a way for Sandhya Mary to remind that anyone who does not fit the norm is often called crazy. Both the writer and translator contest the cruel representation of “mad” people in mainstream media. The author-translator conversation at the end really helped enlighten me about the choices made in the book so it improved my impression.
Other than this narrative, the highlight is also on Maria’s upbringing and the culture of Kerala that she grew up with. Jayasree Kalathil impressed me with the translation as it endured the heart and soul of the Malayalam language. But I wish there was a glossary at the end as Google wasn’t a very good help in deciphering the terms. My favourite part of the book was Maria’s childhood and how she grew up amidst the cashew trees, spent time with her philosophizing dog Chandipatti and her drunkard grandfather Geevarghese, and all the other little stories that she collected for her adult self. It reminded me so much of my summer vacations in my maternal uncle’s home.
But all the happy moments were often balanced with the cruelty of the human condition. One cannot be happy all the time and life deals you with an admixture of contentment and sadness which this book portrays very well. While tradition can be powerful to some, it burdens others and the norm becomes suffocating. This book appeals to the reader to contest and retain the traditions wisely.
In complete honesty, the story felt confusing in part 1 as I had gone into the story blind, but the choice of the confusing non-normative narrative, I believe, was a way for Sandhya Mary to remind that anyone who does not fit the norm is often called crazy. Both the writer and translator contest the cruel representation of “mad” people in mainstream media. The author-translator conversation at the end really helped enlighten me about the choices made in the book so it improved my impression.
Other than this narrative, the highlight is also on Maria’s upbringing and the culture of Kerala that she grew up with. Jayasree Kalathil impressed me with the translation as it endured the heart and soul of the Malayalam language. But I wish there was a glossary at the end as Google wasn’t a very good help in deciphering the terms. My favourite part of the book was Maria’s childhood and how she grew up amidst the cashew trees, spent time with her philosophizing dog Chandipatti and her drunkard grandfather Geevarghese, and all the other little stories that she collected for her adult self. It reminded me so much of my summer vacations in my maternal uncle’s home.
But all the happy moments were often balanced with the cruelty of the human condition. One cannot be happy all the time and life deals you with an admixture of contentment and sadness which this book portrays very well. While tradition can be powerful to some, it burdens others and the norm becomes suffocating. This book appeals to the reader to contest and retain the traditions wisely.
August 12, 2025
3.75⭐️
Maria, Just Maria! Written by Sandhya Mary and skillfully translated by Jayasree Kalathil, takes you on a unique journey through the life of Maria, a refreshingly quirky and honest girl who lives life on her own terms.
The story opens in a psychiatric asylum, instantly grabbing your attention, and then moves in a non-linear way through Maria’s past and present. The world of her grandparents’ home, Kottarathil Veedu, is richly drawn, full of colorful family members, from her strict parents to her loving grandfather Geevarghese, who becomes her closest companion on adventures and toddy shop visits. Plus, her talking dog Chandi adds a whimsical and philosophical flavor that I absolutely adored.
What makes the book so special is how it questions what “normal” really means and challenges the easy label of “madness” that society slaps on Maria’s eccentricities. It’s a deeply thought-provoking theme woven through a story that’s both funny and melancholic.
That said, I have to admit the many characters sometimes threw me off balance. It took some effort to keep track of everyone and their overlapping stories. Also, the writing captures the chaos of Maria’s mind with a style that’s often jumbled and incoherent, which dulled my experience at times. The translation keeps many Malayalam terms and cultural references intact, which adds authenticity but can be a little challenging for readers unfamiliar with them.
Despite these hurdles, Maria, Just Maria is a character-rich, imaginative, and heartfelt novel that left me genuinely excited and thinking long after I finished it. If you love complex characters and a fresh, daring look at life’s quirks, this book is definitely worth exploring!
Maria, Just Maria! Written by Sandhya Mary and skillfully translated by Jayasree Kalathil, takes you on a unique journey through the life of Maria, a refreshingly quirky and honest girl who lives life on her own terms.
The story opens in a psychiatric asylum, instantly grabbing your attention, and then moves in a non-linear way through Maria’s past and present. The world of her grandparents’ home, Kottarathil Veedu, is richly drawn, full of colorful family members, from her strict parents to her loving grandfather Geevarghese, who becomes her closest companion on adventures and toddy shop visits. Plus, her talking dog Chandi adds a whimsical and philosophical flavor that I absolutely adored.
What makes the book so special is how it questions what “normal” really means and challenges the easy label of “madness” that society slaps on Maria’s eccentricities. It’s a deeply thought-provoking theme woven through a story that’s both funny and melancholic.
That said, I have to admit the many characters sometimes threw me off balance. It took some effort to keep track of everyone and their overlapping stories. Also, the writing captures the chaos of Maria’s mind with a style that’s often jumbled and incoherent, which dulled my experience at times. The translation keeps many Malayalam terms and cultural references intact, which adds authenticity but can be a little challenging for readers unfamiliar with them.
Despite these hurdles, Maria, Just Maria is a character-rich, imaginative, and heartfelt novel that left me genuinely excited and thinking long after I finished it. If you love complex characters and a fresh, daring look at life’s quirks, this book is definitely worth exploring!
December 8, 2024
Rating - 4.3 stars
NPS - 9 (Promoter)
“But don’t you think there has been some misunderstanding? Is it right to impose upon me, the God, the opinion of the people it should be the other way round, no?”
“It was like that until recently, yes, but now we need a God who will listen to what we have to say. From now on, God don’t need to lead us. In fact, it is for your benefit, too, because already a large section of humanity thinks that you all take the side of the rich and the powerful all the time.”
A book I am still thinking about.. but here are my raw thoughts -
The story of a child Maria, who spends some formative years of her early childhood with her grandparents at Kottarathil Veedu.
We are introduced to multiple characters along the way, like Kanji valyamma, Chandippatti, Sheena aunty and so on…all those who make an appearance and an impact in Maria’s kid brain.
The book also has elements of magic realism, with Gods and Saints talking to humans, animals giving us their POV and the family members’ thoughts voiced out aloud for the reader.
But at the heart of it, this is a book about childhood trauma, negligence, lack of love and a place to be something for Maria in this world.
I recommend it to those who can relate to the culture of Kerala.
NPS - 9 (Promoter)
“But don’t you think there has been some misunderstanding? Is it right to impose upon me, the God, the opinion of the people it should be the other way round, no?”
“It was like that until recently, yes, but now we need a God who will listen to what we have to say. From now on, God don’t need to lead us. In fact, it is for your benefit, too, because already a large section of humanity thinks that you all take the side of the rich and the powerful all the time.”
A book I am still thinking about.. but here are my raw thoughts -
The story of a child Maria, who spends some formative years of her early childhood with her grandparents at Kottarathil Veedu.
We are introduced to multiple characters along the way, like Kanji valyamma, Chandippatti, Sheena aunty and so on…all those who make an appearance and an impact in Maria’s kid brain.
The book also has elements of magic realism, with Gods and Saints talking to humans, animals giving us their POV and the family members’ thoughts voiced out aloud for the reader.
But at the heart of it, this is a book about childhood trauma, negligence, lack of love and a place to be something for Maria in this world.
I recommend it to those who can relate to the culture of Kerala.
October 16, 2024
What an utterly unique and delightful novel this was. Layers of dark humour used brilliantly through the voice of Maria to remind us that humans and our minds come in all forms, and society's ideals of normalcy only unfairly labels us into boxes that we struggle to escape out of (yet keep trying). The narrative is brilliant, particularly the descriptions of all the motley members of her traditional Syrian Christian family in Kerala - good and bad, evil and kind, dead and alive, man and dog.
It's not often that a translator's work leaves you so mesmerised, but after having read this only a few months after Valli, I am truly a fan of Jayasree Kalathil's work. It cannot be easy to translate such a beautiful piece of work, particularly sections that are intensely cultural, but she seems to have done it effortlessly.
What a great read.
It's not often that a translator's work leaves you so mesmerised, but after having read this only a few months after Valli, I am truly a fan of Jayasree Kalathil's work. It cannot be easy to translate such a beautiful piece of work, particularly sections that are intensely cultural, but she seems to have done it effortlessly.
What a great read.
September 25, 2024
Very complex , yet so simply portrayed. Nostalgic ,yet so true to today's time. Just a piece of art and never cherished a piece of writing than this one. It doesn't have a set pace, but a rhythm that takes you and makes you feel everything.
October 27, 2024
'Every time someone talks nostalgically about their childhood, I am convinced that they are lying. The colourfulness of childhood ... the joyous wonder ... the innocence... Bullshit! I am yet to meet a child who personifies innocence. And as for me, I don't remember many feelings other than fear and hatred. I guess my childhood wonderments died under the cloud that was the constant expectation of punishment.'
—Sandhya Mary, 'Maria Just Maria'
.
.
_____
.
.
'Maria Just Maria' is such a rare gem in the form of a small book. It was recently shortlisted for the JCB Prize, but I had wanted to read it ever since it was published. I went into it with different expectations but it surprised me through and through by being an absolutely delightful (and emotional) read. It is definitely one of my top 5 books of the year.
.
Maria is a naughty kid who is frequently beaten up for her irrational behaviour. She spends her formative years growing up at her grandfather's house away from her parents, who have their hands full with Maria's siblings. Growing up, she develops a deep unique bond with her Appachan—a bond where he's not just a grandpa but also a parent and a friend, and plays an instrumental role in Maria's life. Thus begins the story of Maria and an entourage of idiosyncratic characters around her. From a talking dog with airs of a king to a strange patron saint who in his boredom visits people in their dreams; an aunt fighting dementia to a great-grandad who is so concerned about going to heaven that he keeps escaping his own death; from ancestors who were into prophesies to Karthav Eesho Mishiha (Christ) with whom Maria has regular conversations.
.
Translated from Malyalam by Jayasree Kalathil, 'Maria Just Maria' is absolutely hilarious, sentimental and an honest take on how society perceives the idea of normality, conformity, success, and madness. It questions the need to conform to an accepted form of behaviour when we don't even know why certain things are deemed acceptable and others not. In just about 200 pages, the book delivers remarkable excellence in terms of plot and writing. In my opinion, this is an unmissable book!
—Sandhya Mary, 'Maria Just Maria'
.
.
_____
.
.
'Maria Just Maria' is such a rare gem in the form of a small book. It was recently shortlisted for the JCB Prize, but I had wanted to read it ever since it was published. I went into it with different expectations but it surprised me through and through by being an absolutely delightful (and emotional) read. It is definitely one of my top 5 books of the year.
.
Maria is a naughty kid who is frequently beaten up for her irrational behaviour. She spends her formative years growing up at her grandfather's house away from her parents, who have their hands full with Maria's siblings. Growing up, she develops a deep unique bond with her Appachan—a bond where he's not just a grandpa but also a parent and a friend, and plays an instrumental role in Maria's life. Thus begins the story of Maria and an entourage of idiosyncratic characters around her. From a talking dog with airs of a king to a strange patron saint who in his boredom visits people in their dreams; an aunt fighting dementia to a great-grandad who is so concerned about going to heaven that he keeps escaping his own death; from ancestors who were into prophesies to Karthav Eesho Mishiha (Christ) with whom Maria has regular conversations.
.
Translated from Malyalam by Jayasree Kalathil, 'Maria Just Maria' is absolutely hilarious, sentimental and an honest take on how society perceives the idea of normality, conformity, success, and madness. It questions the need to conform to an accepted form of behaviour when we don't even know why certain things are deemed acceptable and others not. In just about 200 pages, the book delivers remarkable excellence in terms of plot and writing. In my opinion, this is an unmissable book!
June 23, 2024
‘It’s not a question of belief, Appacha. It is a question of belonging. It’s about being with the people we know, in a place we are familiar with. A place where we belong because of who we are, no matter what we do in our lives.’
it was difficult to follow at first as the timeline switched from maria in hospital to maria's childhood in kottarathil veedu. second thing, it was hard figuring out the relations as the family terms were are in malayalam (i started noting down each character and their relationship with maria few chapters into the book).
other than that i was good read, everything just made sense by the end of the book. i liked how they had small stories about almost all of maria's family at kottarathil veedu (also ancestors). talking animals - chandipatti & ammini - were fun. geevarghese sahada & black jesus??
many fun moments but i felt sad about how maria ended up after leaving her childhood home
good read :v
it was difficult to follow at first as the timeline switched from maria in hospital to maria's childhood in kottarathil veedu. second thing, it was hard figuring out the relations as the family terms were are in malayalam (i started noting down each character and their relationship with maria few chapters into the book).
other than that i was good read, everything just made sense by the end of the book. i liked how they had small stories about almost all of maria's family at kottarathil veedu (also ancestors). talking animals - chandipatti & ammini - were fun. geevarghese sahada & black jesus??
many fun moments but i felt sad about how maria ended up after leaving her childhood home
good read :v
July 11, 2024
had me laughing so much. i enjoyed this a lot, here’s one of my favourite quotes:
“Appachan and I went to the pond to catch some fish. There were fewer fish in the pond, Appachan declared, because no one was there to catch them. It was Appachan’s discovery that if people fished regularly at a pond, the fish living there would reproduce faster and in larger numbers, afraid that otherwise they would become extinct. If not, they’d think they had all the time in the world and chill out and become lazy. Anyway, even after a couple of hours of fishing, we managed to catch barely anything, and the tilopi we did catch continued staring at us even after they were dead, with eyes full of surprise, fear and accusations. We took the fish to Ammachi, but when we sat down for lunch, there was no tilopi curry. Ammachi said that even after they became curry, the fish kept looking at her with their little eyes full of fear, so she threw it away. A whole potful of terrified-fish curry!”
“Appachan and I went to the pond to catch some fish. There were fewer fish in the pond, Appachan declared, because no one was there to catch them. It was Appachan’s discovery that if people fished regularly at a pond, the fish living there would reproduce faster and in larger numbers, afraid that otherwise they would become extinct. If not, they’d think they had all the time in the world and chill out and become lazy. Anyway, even after a couple of hours of fishing, we managed to catch barely anything, and the tilopi we did catch continued staring at us even after they were dead, with eyes full of surprise, fear and accusations. We took the fish to Ammachi, but when we sat down for lunch, there was no tilopi curry. Ammachi said that even after they became curry, the fish kept looking at her with their little eyes full of fear, so she threw it away. A whole potful of terrified-fish curry!”
May 22, 2025
This was an entertaining and yet sad read. It took me some time to get used to the writing as most of it reads like a stream of consciousness and is very non linear. Usually, I give up on books that I am unable to follow but this one kept me hooked! I found myself laughing at so many of the author’s (and Maria’s) creations and opinions about people, life, politics, faith, the concept of normalcy. The author did a great job at using dark humor to add levity to the underlying harsh narrative that’s Maria’s life.
June 29, 2025
Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated by Jayasree Kalathil
An easy, lighthearted read. Brought back familiar humour, people, small everyday scenes from where I grew up. The writing is so innocent, simple, genuinely funny. Some of the raw humour is perhaps lost in translation, but I think the translation is still brilliant. Beyond the humour, the book is also rich with meaning. It gives you Maria, Appachan, Chandippatti, Karthav Eesho Mishiha and other adorable ones for companions. Found myself grinning between its pages an awful lot.
An easy, lighthearted read. Brought back familiar humour, people, small everyday scenes from where I grew up. The writing is so innocent, simple, genuinely funny. Some of the raw humour is perhaps lost in translation, but I think the translation is still brilliant. Beyond the humour, the book is also rich with meaning. It gives you Maria, Appachan, Chandippatti, Karthav Eesho Mishiha and other adorable ones for companions. Found myself grinning between its pages an awful lot.
May 26, 2025
It’s hard to say why this book works so well. It’s also hard to say why it is not harder to read this book. After all, it is a translation, it is about a mad woman, told from her point of view and in a disjointed, non-linear narrative. Yet, it feels easy, funny and tragic in equal part and oddly life-affirming without every feeling burdensome.
Like Maria, I guess I cannot understand it and cannot say anything more because it is boring.
Like Maria, I guess I cannot understand it and cannot say anything more because it is boring.
December 22, 2024
Total entertainment! Completely loved the book and all the characters. Chandipatti is the best- hilarious and insightful. I’ve laughed out loud and also cried for Maria! She is pretty much relatable due to similar childhood!
March 21, 2025
What is “madness” but another kind of normal?
Maria, Just Maria is a wonderfully clever and funny and weird book about a woman attempting to unravel the mystery of how she ended up in a psychiatric hospital. The result is a delightful journey into her childhood, with shifting narrators, a talking dog named Chandipatti and a powerful, feminist politics.
The lines between reality and fantasy blur often and beautifully in this story — a saint decides to interfere with his people’s dreams and Jesus visits the protagonist to discuss the next revolution. I particularly loved the chapters narrated by Little Maria who is “given” to her grandparents to be raised. Her childhood in their beautiful ancestral home is wild and free and, like much of the rest of the story, leaves us wondering why we spend our lives striving for normalcy.
Maria, Just Maria is a wonderfully clever and funny and weird book about a woman attempting to unravel the mystery of how she ended up in a psychiatric hospital. The result is a delightful journey into her childhood, with shifting narrators, a talking dog named Chandipatti and a powerful, feminist politics.
The lines between reality and fantasy blur often and beautifully in this story — a saint decides to interfere with his people’s dreams and Jesus visits the protagonist to discuss the next revolution. I particularly loved the chapters narrated by Little Maria who is “given” to her grandparents to be raised. Her childhood in their beautiful ancestral home is wild and free and, like much of the rest of the story, leaves us wondering why we spend our lives striving for normalcy.
November 9, 2025
A whirlwind of scenarios like the madness it wants to depict, I'm glad that I came across it.
May 22, 2024
I got so confused with so many characters and timelines. Abandoned the book after a few chapters.
January 20, 2025
Exploration of an individual's descent into madness is a common subject in literature and cinema, and often alludes to loneliness, grief, and physical and mental abuse as causal factors. "Maria, just Maria" however is not a story about how or why one turns to insanity, rather it attempts the question of defining what madness is - especially in a society that is governed by unquestioned standards of religiosity, gender conformity, and pleasure, and assigns often unfair labels based on these standards. And all this, primarily through the eyes of its protagonist Maria, who was, as everyone around her says, "born mad", a wild child who climbs trees, fights back if provoked, accompanies her equally non-conformist grandfather at the toddy shop, and only fears the death of those she loves.
The book is part dark comedy, part gallows humor, and a whole lot of socio political commentary, but the most engaging bits atleast for me were the irreverent portrayals of Jesus (Karthaavu Eesho Meshiha) and the warrior saint Geevarghese Punyalan, protector of chickens and eventually all other domestic beings. The fever dream like conversations that Maria has with God and saint through varying phases of her life, are the highlight of the book, and shines a light on our own beliefs and faith. The author also provides a dissection of Kerala during the late 80's and 90's primarily through the booze fueled debates that occur at the toddy shop, that bring forth multiple different political leanings, religious inclinations, apprehensions and preoccupations of that time.
Although eponymous, the book delves more into the protagonist's circle, a traditional (or non-traditional) Syrian Christian family, that claims to have ties to the famous magician priest Kadamattathu Kathanaar, an aging but conflicted patriarch who fears nothing more than the prospect of going to hell after death, firm yet kind matriarchs that run the household each in their own different ways, a philosophy spouting talking mongrel ( one of my favorite characters), and the wayward but lovable grandfather, namesake of the patron saint of chickens - Maria's anchor and as per society, the reason for her madness.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, especially the parts where Maria is a child, and the focus was on the family. I did not particularly enjoy the last third of the book, it was cliched and unnecessary in my opinion and I skipped through most of it; I especially couldn't stand Maria in her 30's, turning into some sort of manic pixie girl surrounded by stereotypical characters. That being said, this was an entertaining and enlightening read, although I'm not entirely sure if it will be enjoyed by non-Malayalam speaking readers who may not get a lot of the references in the story. I think this is one of the books that would also greatly benefit from a family chart at the start, outlining all of the myriad characters in Maria's family, some with the same names (there are two Annas, one Anne for example).
Also, special credit has to be given to Jayasree Kalathil who has done a fantastic job of translating the book, without leaving out any of the essence.
The book is part dark comedy, part gallows humor, and a whole lot of socio political commentary, but the most engaging bits atleast for me were the irreverent portrayals of Jesus (Karthaavu Eesho Meshiha) and the warrior saint Geevarghese Punyalan, protector of chickens and eventually all other domestic beings. The fever dream like conversations that Maria has with God and saint through varying phases of her life, are the highlight of the book, and shines a light on our own beliefs and faith. The author also provides a dissection of Kerala during the late 80's and 90's primarily through the booze fueled debates that occur at the toddy shop, that bring forth multiple different political leanings, religious inclinations, apprehensions and preoccupations of that time.
Although eponymous, the book delves more into the protagonist's circle, a traditional (or non-traditional) Syrian Christian family, that claims to have ties to the famous magician priest Kadamattathu Kathanaar, an aging but conflicted patriarch who fears nothing more than the prospect of going to hell after death, firm yet kind matriarchs that run the household each in their own different ways, a philosophy spouting talking mongrel ( one of my favorite characters), and the wayward but lovable grandfather, namesake of the patron saint of chickens - Maria's anchor and as per society, the reason for her madness.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes, especially the parts where Maria is a child, and the focus was on the family. I did not particularly enjoy the last third of the book, it was cliched and unnecessary in my opinion and I skipped through most of it; I especially couldn't stand Maria in her 30's, turning into some sort of manic pixie girl surrounded by stereotypical characters. That being said, this was an entertaining and enlightening read, although I'm not entirely sure if it will be enjoyed by non-Malayalam speaking readers who may not get a lot of the references in the story. I think this is one of the books that would also greatly benefit from a family chart at the start, outlining all of the myriad characters in Maria's family, some with the same names (there are two Annas, one Anne for example).
Also, special credit has to be given to Jayasree Kalathil who has done a fantastic job of translating the book, without leaving out any of the essence.
January 25, 2024
Rating - 4.5*
Review
“It's not a question of belief, Appacha. It's a question of belonging. It's about being with people we know, in a place we are familiar with. A place where we belong because of who we are, no matter what we do in our lives”. For Maria who thinks real life is boring and madness might add a bit of interest to it, does such a place exist in real life or is it only in dreams?
Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil begins at a psychiatric hospital where Maria is being treated. From a sensitive, precocious & innocent child to an adult in 30s,struggling to live, Maria's journey unfolds in a non-linear fashion for the scatterbrain she is.
The youngest of four children, Maria is cast aside as an avoidable extra. She grows up at Kottarathil Veedu, her ancestral house. Geevarghese, her maternal grandfather (Appachan) who equals her in craziness is her best buddy. “What is the point in living without knowing the history of your own family and your ancestors?” says Appachan and we are regaled with stories of a plethora of colorful characters - Maria’s ancestors, uncles, aunts who sprawl like a banyan. Though the vast array of characters leave us readers complaining, somewhere in their life stories, in their little oddities and quirks, we learn to become tolerant with those different from us. Chandi, the dog and Ammini, the parrot add an interesting anthropomorphic element.
Largely from Maria and her Appachan’s POV, through foibles of many characters here, the author holds a mirror to our world that cannot think beyond binaries; a digital world that runs only on 0s & 1s, one that kneads, stretches and snips people to fit them into readymade moulds. Even though this sounds heavy, the author writes in an unshowy, funny manner balancing tragedy and comedy.
In a discussion between the author and the translator shared in the insights section at the end of the novel, the translator quotes Edith Grossman - “A translation can be faithful to tone and intention, to meaning. It can rarely be faithful to words or syntax, for these are peculiar to specific languages and are not transferable.” Jayasree Kalathil’s translation does this. Maria’s declension, her simple options for a happily ever after which feel hard to attain in this world move us to tears. An activist-researcher in the field of mental health and human rights, author of ‘The Sackcloth Man’, there’s no one better than Jayasree Kalathil who can translate this work. Fighting standard definitions of who’s a success and who’s a wastrel, or wondering who discovered time is a thing to be used, this pretty unique novel instills in us, if not empathy, a restraint in terming someone struggling to live as mad.
Can't this world be a little more inclusive? This is the question we are left with at the end of this moving novel, the story of Maria who misplaced a few years of her life, or should we stop with saying, the story of Maria, just Maria.
Review
“It's not a question of belief, Appacha. It's a question of belonging. It's about being with people we know, in a place we are familiar with. A place where we belong because of who we are, no matter what we do in our lives”. For Maria who thinks real life is boring and madness might add a bit of interest to it, does such a place exist in real life or is it only in dreams?
Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil begins at a psychiatric hospital where Maria is being treated. From a sensitive, precocious & innocent child to an adult in 30s,struggling to live, Maria's journey unfolds in a non-linear fashion for the scatterbrain she is.
The youngest of four children, Maria is cast aside as an avoidable extra. She grows up at Kottarathil Veedu, her ancestral house. Geevarghese, her maternal grandfather (Appachan) who equals her in craziness is her best buddy. “What is the point in living without knowing the history of your own family and your ancestors?” says Appachan and we are regaled with stories of a plethora of colorful characters - Maria’s ancestors, uncles, aunts who sprawl like a banyan. Though the vast array of characters leave us readers complaining, somewhere in their life stories, in their little oddities and quirks, we learn to become tolerant with those different from us. Chandi, the dog and Ammini, the parrot add an interesting anthropomorphic element.
Largely from Maria and her Appachan’s POV, through foibles of many characters here, the author holds a mirror to our world that cannot think beyond binaries; a digital world that runs only on 0s & 1s, one that kneads, stretches and snips people to fit them into readymade moulds. Even though this sounds heavy, the author writes in an unshowy, funny manner balancing tragedy and comedy.
In a discussion between the author and the translator shared in the insights section at the end of the novel, the translator quotes Edith Grossman - “A translation can be faithful to tone and intention, to meaning. It can rarely be faithful to words or syntax, for these are peculiar to specific languages and are not transferable.” Jayasree Kalathil’s translation does this. Maria’s declension, her simple options for a happily ever after which feel hard to attain in this world move us to tears. An activist-researcher in the field of mental health and human rights, author of ‘The Sackcloth Man’, there’s no one better than Jayasree Kalathil who can translate this work. Fighting standard definitions of who’s a success and who’s a wastrel, or wondering who discovered time is a thing to be used, this pretty unique novel instills in us, if not empathy, a restraint in terming someone struggling to live as mad.
Can't this world be a little more inclusive? This is the question we are left with at the end of this moving novel, the story of Maria who misplaced a few years of her life, or should we stop with saying, the story of Maria, just Maria.
November 20, 2024
MARIA, JUST MARIA
Written in Malayalam by Sandhya Mary, translated by Jayasree Kalathil
This is a Bildungsroman – a novel that evokes tears, laughter, and deep contemplation. It challenges the rigidity of what we define as "normal."The story addresses an issue often ignored or trivialized yet amplified when seen from a societal perspective: mental illness.
The narrative invites reflection on the concept of normalcy. Is everyone truly "normal" according to societal norms? Aren't quirks and idiosyncrasies a part of being human? What we learn within our homes, families, and communities shapes our idea of "normal." But why is it that when someone deviates from this perceived normalcy, they are often labelled as abnormal?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. After finishing it, I revisited the first few pages to savour the intricacies again. The story has a certain vagueness as the author chooses a nonlinear narrative style. Events from Maria’s life are presented as flashes, moving seamlessly between the past and the present.
The title itself encapsulates the essence of the story – it’s all about Maria. Maria is a lovable character, a vibrant and fun-loving girl who stands apart from her siblings. She prefers the company of her Ammachi (grandmother) and Appachan (grandfather) at Kottarathil Veedu. One of the most delightful characters is Chandipatti, the fabulistic dog with a philosophical outlook. This anthropomorphic dog, which speaks only to Maria, is a show-stealer. I found myself wishing for more of Chandipatti’s musings. Maria also converses regularly with Karthav (God) and accompanies her Appachan to the toddy shop. At the novel's outset, we find Maria in a mental asylum, where she recounts how Appachan’s death led to her current state.
The book has a few anecdotes, including references to the Mahabharata. Malayalam words are scattered throughout, enriching the reading experience. Words like Karthav, appachan, occha, etc. bring authenticity, while charming poems, such as
Onnanam kunninmel oraadi kunninmel
Orayiramkili kooduvechu,
add to the cultural flavour.
A must-read section is the insightful discussion between the author and the translator at the end of the book. It deepens the reader's understanding of the story and its themes.
This book leaves an indelible impression and is a powerful narrative about identity, mental health, and individuality. I really enjoy the books translated by @jayasree_kalathil. Earlier, I loved reading Valli, which was also translated by her.
I sincerely hope it wins the prestigious @thejcbprize.
Written in Malayalam by Sandhya Mary, translated by Jayasree Kalathil
This is a Bildungsroman – a novel that evokes tears, laughter, and deep contemplation. It challenges the rigidity of what we define as "normal."The story addresses an issue often ignored or trivialized yet amplified when seen from a societal perspective: mental illness.
The narrative invites reflection on the concept of normalcy. Is everyone truly "normal" according to societal norms? Aren't quirks and idiosyncrasies a part of being human? What we learn within our homes, families, and communities shapes our idea of "normal." But why is it that when someone deviates from this perceived normalcy, they are often labelled as abnormal?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. After finishing it, I revisited the first few pages to savour the intricacies again. The story has a certain vagueness as the author chooses a nonlinear narrative style. Events from Maria’s life are presented as flashes, moving seamlessly between the past and the present.
The title itself encapsulates the essence of the story – it’s all about Maria. Maria is a lovable character, a vibrant and fun-loving girl who stands apart from her siblings. She prefers the company of her Ammachi (grandmother) and Appachan (grandfather) at Kottarathil Veedu. One of the most delightful characters is Chandipatti, the fabulistic dog with a philosophical outlook. This anthropomorphic dog, which speaks only to Maria, is a show-stealer. I found myself wishing for more of Chandipatti’s musings. Maria also converses regularly with Karthav (God) and accompanies her Appachan to the toddy shop. At the novel's outset, we find Maria in a mental asylum, where she recounts how Appachan’s death led to her current state.
The book has a few anecdotes, including references to the Mahabharata. Malayalam words are scattered throughout, enriching the reading experience. Words like Karthav, appachan, occha, etc. bring authenticity, while charming poems, such as
Onnanam kunninmel oraadi kunninmel
Orayiramkili kooduvechu,
add to the cultural flavour.
A must-read section is the insightful discussion between the author and the translator at the end of the book. It deepens the reader's understanding of the story and its themes.
This book leaves an indelible impression and is a powerful narrative about identity, mental health, and individuality. I really enjoy the books translated by @jayasree_kalathil. Earlier, I loved reading Valli, which was also translated by her.
I sincerely hope it wins the prestigious @thejcbprize.
March 11, 2024
The novel "Maria Just Maria" is a captivating story that takes us deep into the life of Maria, a young woman from a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, who chooses silence as her response to the world around her. Written by Sandhya Mary and beautifully translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil, this book is a unique blend of humor, emotion, and insightful reflections on life.❤
Just imagine having a dog that thinks deeply about life, or a great-aunt who forgets who she is. These are the kinds of friends Maria surrounds herself with.They're a bit strange, but they make Maria's world incredibly interesting and show us how she sees things.💛The novel cleverly shifts between Maria's present in a psychiatric hospital and her past memories. This approach of storytelling not only keeps us engaged but also makes us reflect on the nature of memory and identity.
What makes this book stand out is its exploration of themes such as individuality, family dynamics, religion, and mental health, all done with a lightness of touch that includes humor and poignancy.💛 Maria challenges our views on normality and mental health, making us think more deeply about these concepts.The cultural backdrop of Kerala, with its traditions and landscapes, is vividly portrayed, adding authenticity to Maria's story.Maria's tale is special because it talks about big ideas like family, being true to yourself, and figuring out where you fit in, all in a way that's easy to understand and hard to forget.❤
Her silence, her quirky companions, and her memories tell us a lot about life and how sometimes, being a little different is exactly what makes us special.❤This book is a beautifully simple yet deeply meaningful book. If you're curious about life in Kerala, enjoy stories about unique characters, or just love a good story that makes you think and feel, this book is definitely worth picking up.💛
Just imagine having a dog that thinks deeply about life, or a great-aunt who forgets who she is. These are the kinds of friends Maria surrounds herself with.They're a bit strange, but they make Maria's world incredibly interesting and show us how she sees things.💛The novel cleverly shifts between Maria's present in a psychiatric hospital and her past memories. This approach of storytelling not only keeps us engaged but also makes us reflect on the nature of memory and identity.
What makes this book stand out is its exploration of themes such as individuality, family dynamics, religion, and mental health, all done with a lightness of touch that includes humor and poignancy.💛 Maria challenges our views on normality and mental health, making us think more deeply about these concepts.The cultural backdrop of Kerala, with its traditions and landscapes, is vividly portrayed, adding authenticity to Maria's story.Maria's tale is special because it talks about big ideas like family, being true to yourself, and figuring out where you fit in, all in a way that's easy to understand and hard to forget.❤
Her silence, her quirky companions, and her memories tell us a lot about life and how sometimes, being a little different is exactly what makes us special.❤This book is a beautifully simple yet deeply meaningful book. If you're curious about life in Kerala, enjoy stories about unique characters, or just love a good story that makes you think and feel, this book is definitely worth picking up.💛
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews