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Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth
‘Lovely, lovely read! Part Malgudi Days, part The God of Small Things.’ Anuja Chauhan
'Aruna’s experience as a writer and columnist is evident with her language. Humour flows effortlessly for her, which is the biggest strength of the novel.' The Hindu
‘I am very grateful to have my faith in new Indian fiction restored. This is a classic, timeless book that illuminates and entertains by turn.’ Suchi Govindarajan
‘A delightful read from start to finish. There were places where I was grinning so much as I read it that my kids were looking at me strangely. But under the humour, the frivolity, the nostalgia of an Eighties life, there are several growing-up lessons taking place. Yet, the book never gets maudlin… although it does leave you with an ache for things that could have been. Brilliant writing.’ Andaleeb Wajid
Set in small-town Kerala of the 1980s, Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is part coming-of-age story, part social satire and part comedy of errors. Geetha, elevenish, is off for the annual family vacation in Kerala and is looking forward to all the fun with her cousins – visits to the beach and trips to the market to buy glass bangles and kites and shuttlecocks, evenings in the veranda listening to her grandfather’s ridiculous ghost stories which he swears are all true, marathon card games and ferocious boys-versus-girls battles with the bristles of brooms made from coconut fibre…
But as the summer unfolds, Geetha finds herself spending more time instead at the back of the house with the free-spirited cook, the hypochondriac cleaner, the virile gardener, a cheeky helper girl… ...And Babu, son of Koovait Kannan, the bumbling plumber who made good. Babu’s family is immersed, meanwhile, in the wedding preparations for Babu’s sister, who is marrying the most eligible bachelor in the neighbourhood: Constable Venu, an expert thrasher of suspects and son of that wealthy black-marketer of supplies, Ration Raaman. But Babu’s mind is otherwise occupied… with thoughts of a face as rounded as a Malgova mango, of an oiled plait as thick as the ropes used to tie the fishing boats, of eyes that sparkle like the sea on a sunlit morn…
As Geetha and Babu’s closely linked but widely divergent lives intersect, both are about to lose some of the blissful ignorance and innocence of childhood. Charmingly quirky and often laugh-out-loud hilarious, Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth gently explores the themes of growing up, loss of innocence and the intimate yet aloof nature of upstairs-downstairs relationships.
'Aruna’s experience as a writer and columnist is evident with her language. Humour flows effortlessly for her, which is the biggest strength of the novel.' The Hindu
‘I am very grateful to have my faith in new Indian fiction restored. This is a classic, timeless book that illuminates and entertains by turn.’ Suchi Govindarajan
‘A delightful read from start to finish. There were places where I was grinning so much as I read it that my kids were looking at me strangely. But under the humour, the frivolity, the nostalgia of an Eighties life, there are several growing-up lessons taking place. Yet, the book never gets maudlin… although it does leave you with an ache for things that could have been. Brilliant writing.’ Andaleeb Wajid
Set in small-town Kerala of the 1980s, Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is part coming-of-age story, part social satire and part comedy of errors. Geetha, elevenish, is off for the annual family vacation in Kerala and is looking forward to all the fun with her cousins – visits to the beach and trips to the market to buy glass bangles and kites and shuttlecocks, evenings in the veranda listening to her grandfather’s ridiculous ghost stories which he swears are all true, marathon card games and ferocious boys-versus-girls battles with the bristles of brooms made from coconut fibre…
But as the summer unfolds, Geetha finds herself spending more time instead at the back of the house with the free-spirited cook, the hypochondriac cleaner, the virile gardener, a cheeky helper girl… ...And Babu, son of Koovait Kannan, the bumbling plumber who made good. Babu’s family is immersed, meanwhile, in the wedding preparations for Babu’s sister, who is marrying the most eligible bachelor in the neighbourhood: Constable Venu, an expert thrasher of suspects and son of that wealthy black-marketer of supplies, Ration Raaman. But Babu’s mind is otherwise occupied… with thoughts of a face as rounded as a Malgova mango, of an oiled plait as thick as the ropes used to tie the fishing boats, of eyes that sparkle like the sea on a sunlit morn…
As Geetha and Babu’s closely linked but widely divergent lives intersect, both are about to lose some of the blissful ignorance and innocence of childhood. Charmingly quirky and often laugh-out-loud hilarious, Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth gently explores the themes of growing up, loss of innocence and the intimate yet aloof nature of upstairs-downstairs relationships.
233 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2013
28 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Aruna Nambiar
8 books29 followersIn a previous life, Aruna Nambiar was a student of engineering and management, and a banker. Now an author and editor, she writes tongue-in-cheek novels about life, relationships and the idiosyncrasies of Indian society.
Her latest book, Aiyyo What Will the Neighbours Say?, is a collection of 13 witty, twist-in-the-tale short stories that run the gamut, from classic satires that highlight the failings of society to modern tales that touch upon social media and AI, to timeless ruminations about life, ageing and death.
She is also the author of The Weird Women's Club, is a wry, irreverent tale of sisterhood and identity, The Monsters Still Lurk, a funny, moving saga of family and ageing that unfolds against the backdrop of a quarter century of post-liberalisation India, and Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth, part coming-of-age story, part social satire and part comedy of errors, set in 1980s Kerala.
She has published the ebooks of comic short stories, Lalita Kothandapani and the Heinous Crime, and Gender Bender. Her short fiction has been featured in the anthologies Jest Like That, Curtains and Winners Vol 1, and her travel writing in The Itinerant Indian. She has written for the coffee table book, Portrait Kerala, and edited fiction and non-fiction for several publishing houses including Penguin India and Westland Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 15, 2016
One of the best ever books I read this year, worth a definite re read. The simple story touched the chords of my heart, being someone who grew up in the Kerala of the 80s and 90s. I could identify with the people, circumstances, events, way of life, culture, social norms, food, and almost everything. it was as if I was transplanted to my mother state for a few blissful hours voyeuristically hanging around the huge joint family house and premises. The high born, low born, their trials,tribulations, hopes and small pleasures in life, were all familiar.
I identified with Geetha, the young protagonist and sympathized with her.
A must read for the Keralite book lover.
I identified with Geetha, the young protagonist and sympathized with her.
A must read for the Keralite book lover.
August 17, 2021
Wow, what a wonderful book! Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is a nostalgic look at old Kerala as it was in the 90s. But this is not just about nostalgia and the good old days, there is an undercurrent of gender, class and caste in this relaxing story, providing dark undertones but taking it to a higher level of storytelling.
The narrative is seen through the eyes of Geeta, a young girl on the cusp of teenagehood. Living in Bombay has its perks but Geeta lives for the summer holidays when she got to visit her maternal grandparents and cousins (don't we all remember those days with fondness?!) Her elder sister and cousin have suddenly grown up and are whispering together all the time, leaving Geeta alone. The boys reject her as well and Geeta mourns for the earlier days when they were children. But this summer holiday, Geeta also grows up and finds her self.
On the surface, Geeta's family is respectable and nice. But dig deeper, and they have their own skeletons. Other characters such as Sundarikutty, Kamala, and Babu are amazing and bring the story alive. Every character is well drawn and gives so much depth to the story. The ways in which different people in different communities live is nicely depicted. Geeta befriends Babu but it all ends in a huge misunderstanding. Decades later, everyone persists in their misunderstanding, much like real life. I love how the characters' paths diverge and they never meet to clear up the confusion. Life goes on.
This may well be the best book I have read this year. It's totally pandemic-compliant, so if you are reading less due to lockdowns and shit, this is a great book to pick up.
The narrative is seen through the eyes of Geeta, a young girl on the cusp of teenagehood. Living in Bombay has its perks but Geeta lives for the summer holidays when she got to visit her maternal grandparents and cousins (don't we all remember those days with fondness?!) Her elder sister and cousin have suddenly grown up and are whispering together all the time, leaving Geeta alone. The boys reject her as well and Geeta mourns for the earlier days when they were children. But this summer holiday, Geeta also grows up and finds her self.
On the surface, Geeta's family is respectable and nice. But dig deeper, and they have their own skeletons. Other characters such as Sundarikutty, Kamala, and Babu are amazing and bring the story alive. Every character is well drawn and gives so much depth to the story. The ways in which different people in different communities live is nicely depicted. Geeta befriends Babu but it all ends in a huge misunderstanding. Decades later, everyone persists in their misunderstanding, much like real life. I love how the characters' paths diverge and they never meet to clear up the confusion. Life goes on.
This may well be the best book I have read this year. It's totally pandemic-compliant, so if you are reading less due to lockdowns and shit, this is a great book to pick up.
October 28, 2022
A simple family saga dealing with nostalgia, school days, summer vacations, rustic setting, caste, affairs and marriages…. basically a potpourri of life in a very common setting that most folks could relate to.
It was a quick time pass read for me, which I did not relish much.
Recommended:
For folks who grew up in a Kerala household during the 80s. I'm sure you will be able to connect better.
It was a quick time pass read for me, which I did not relish much.
Recommended:
For folks who grew up in a Kerala household during the 80s. I'm sure you will be able to connect better.
January 6, 2019
Aruna Nambiar's book took the easy way out when it came to the setting - 80s Kerala summer vacations with a big joint family with it's extended characters of maids/help. Family rituals, Cousins bonding, hidden secrets, boys vs girls, Squabbles and a slow coming-of-age of kids, The book holds appeal for those who get nostalgic about summer holidays with cousins or google and watch the 90s TV ads compilation.
Geetha and her cousins travel from different cites to Kerala to their Amooma's house for a summer vacation in 80s. She is of that age where she is either too old or too young to fit in with her cousins. Over a couple of humorous episodes, she gets stranded between the two warring factions of boys vs girls. Sulking, she finds company in the house's kitchen corner with the helps.
The other storyline is that of a societal climber. An ex-maid, Sundarikutty aspires to climb up the social ladder when her husband Koovait Kannan finds alliance for their daughter with Constable Venu. A lot can happen between finding the alliance and the marriage and these have been explored in a bit scathing but mostly humorous episodes.
The last storyline is that of Sundarikutty's son Babu and his love for a much older maid at the Devaki household, Kamala. Leaning more towards lust, the narrative is crass and vulgar with innuendos and sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise simple book. And overall, the book ends on a note of what-could-have-beens which I felt was a clever ending.
I read one blurb say this books is R K Narayanan meets God of Small things. I cringe a bit at the combo. However, the book has it's appeal in parts. The first part was good but the latter not so much.
Mixed bag.
Geetha and her cousins travel from different cites to Kerala to their Amooma's house for a summer vacation in 80s. She is of that age where she is either too old or too young to fit in with her cousins. Over a couple of humorous episodes, she gets stranded between the two warring factions of boys vs girls. Sulking, she finds company in the house's kitchen corner with the helps.
The other storyline is that of a societal climber. An ex-maid, Sundarikutty aspires to climb up the social ladder when her husband Koovait Kannan finds alliance for their daughter with Constable Venu. A lot can happen between finding the alliance and the marriage and these have been explored in a bit scathing but mostly humorous episodes.
The last storyline is that of Sundarikutty's son Babu and his love for a much older maid at the Devaki household, Kamala. Leaning more towards lust, the narrative is crass and vulgar with innuendos and sticks out like a sore thumb in an otherwise simple book. And overall, the book ends on a note of what-could-have-beens which I felt was a clever ending.
I read one blurb say this books is R K Narayanan meets God of Small things. I cringe a bit at the combo. However, the book has it's appeal in parts. The first part was good but the latter not so much.
Mixed bag.
May 2, 2018
Nostalgic!!! Brought me back to my childhood in my ancestral home...And I finished it in two days which says something about the book though it is not a mystery or thriller.. Actually the events are those that can occur in any household, but it is the way they are presented that makes it so endearing.... Fantastic writing for a first time author...
June 27, 2020
Aruna Nambiar's debut 'Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth' is a book that will settle comfortably with every kind of reader. It is soaked in nostalgia - over simpler times when summer vacation meant family get-togethers bringing it's own gamut of competitions for affection and attention, showing off one's academic achievements or personal bravery, gossip and chatter, building friendships and playing dictator over who gets included in games.
Reading almost like a series of anecdotal events, this takes readers into the lives of a Nair family and their many staff and the people who depend on their generosity. There are many characters, each one unravelling oddities and backstories, each one with a place in the scheme of things though of course, the main ones are 11yr old Geetha and 14 yr old Babu. The duo however do not cross paths much but the way the narrative unfolds around them places them at the fore of how things play out in the midst of a wedding that is largely, a power play that threatens to spin off the rails.
With its many stories of ghosts in a bustling household, the fights amongst cousins, the flirting between household staff, the food and kitchen scenes and family secrets tumbling out slowly; Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is immensely enjoyable and will leave you smiling away. The last chapter where the main protagonists have become adults is a bit of an anti-climax that does not sit well with the moods and the language of the events preceding it. However, it is a light read that will sit well in between serious reads.
Reading almost like a series of anecdotal events, this takes readers into the lives of a Nair family and their many staff and the people who depend on their generosity. There are many characters, each one unravelling oddities and backstories, each one with a place in the scheme of things though of course, the main ones are 11yr old Geetha and 14 yr old Babu. The duo however do not cross paths much but the way the narrative unfolds around them places them at the fore of how things play out in the midst of a wedding that is largely, a power play that threatens to spin off the rails.
With its many stories of ghosts in a bustling household, the fights amongst cousins, the flirting between household staff, the food and kitchen scenes and family secrets tumbling out slowly; Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is immensely enjoyable and will leave you smiling away. The last chapter where the main protagonists have become adults is a bit of an anti-climax that does not sit well with the moods and the language of the events preceding it. However, it is a light read that will sit well in between serious reads.
May 5, 2018
Do you remember the Summer holidays - the visit to the grannies home, the train and car journeys, the meeting of the families, the gathering of the cousins, the games in the summer heat, the gorging on dishes made under grandmoms supervision for her growing brood of her grandchildren, the guffaws with uncles and aunts, the late night chit chats, the pranks and leg pulling, the afternoon siestas and outdoor play in the evenings. If this makes you nostalgic then you must read ‘Mango cheeks, Metal teeth’
While the name in deceptive it goes back into childhood memories of then 11 year old Geetha who visits her grandmother’s home in the small town next to Trivandrum every summer holiday. While you relate to mad rush of relatives and silly childhood politics, the underlying story is of metal teeth Babu and mango cheek Kamla. The author Aruna Nambiar in her simple narrative style weaves a fun and engrossing story on distinct social and class differences between rich - poor, beautiful and not so beautiful, privileged and not so privileged.
The book took me back to my own childhood, summer holidays, visits to Nani house and the faint shadow of memory of the house staff who meticulously worked to make our stay wonderful. They were their like a photo frame just to make things look better but were not really there as another human being. They come and go and we don’t even register them in our memories ever. As Aruna put it - This heightened sense of propriety, the one dimensional perception of them as mere retainers, servile and obsequious who lived but for their service.
Hard hitting yet true and what would we do about it. May be give them a little more money mostly as loans or be polite to them or if anything help them from time to time to get over our guilt and still feel that we have an upper hand over others. At other times we donate to NGOs for underprivileged or go serve for some hours to believe that we are all giving and book a seat in the heaven with our good deeds. Nothing more to say but leaving it in silence while I go back to my usual life of getting the work done around the house while I continue my reading.
While the name in deceptive it goes back into childhood memories of then 11 year old Geetha who visits her grandmother’s home in the small town next to Trivandrum every summer holiday. While you relate to mad rush of relatives and silly childhood politics, the underlying story is of metal teeth Babu and mango cheek Kamla. The author Aruna Nambiar in her simple narrative style weaves a fun and engrossing story on distinct social and class differences between rich - poor, beautiful and not so beautiful, privileged and not so privileged.
The book took me back to my own childhood, summer holidays, visits to Nani house and the faint shadow of memory of the house staff who meticulously worked to make our stay wonderful. They were their like a photo frame just to make things look better but were not really there as another human being. They come and go and we don’t even register them in our memories ever. As Aruna put it - This heightened sense of propriety, the one dimensional perception of them as mere retainers, servile and obsequious who lived but for their service.
Hard hitting yet true and what would we do about it. May be give them a little more money mostly as loans or be polite to them or if anything help them from time to time to get over our guilt and still feel that we have an upper hand over others. At other times we donate to NGOs for underprivileged or go serve for some hours to believe that we are all giving and book a seat in the heaven with our good deeds. Nothing more to say but leaving it in silence while I go back to my usual life of getting the work done around the house while I continue my reading.
March 2, 2021
Hope onto the nostalgia train as this book takes you down memory lane of your childhood days spent at your ancestral home with grandparents, mamas-mammys, mousa-mousi, and cousins. Of summer vacations spent playing gilli-danda, plucking ripe mangoes, listening to grandpa's horror stories which are all as he swears 100% true! A gem of a book looking at childhood games, sibling rivalry, classism, innocence lost, and coming of age.
An absolute must read!
An absolute must read!
November 7, 2020
Utterly charming tale of childhood summer holidays with the grandparents. Many many issues were touched upon in this tale, but with lightness and kindness. There isn't huge drama or deep exploration of dark human sentiment. And I for one am profoundly grateful.
Perhaps I feel inundated with the constant grittiness of real life and the current trend of art that has come in its wake. And yes, it is necessary, it does have its place, and it is valid. But for goodness sake, laughter and light have their place too!
Must-read in my opinion.
Perhaps I feel inundated with the constant grittiness of real life and the current trend of art that has come in its wake. And yes, it is necessary, it does have its place, and it is valid. But for goodness sake, laughter and light have their place too!
Must-read in my opinion.
March 11, 2020
I picked up this book based on reviews, which said it's "part Malgudi Days, and part God of Small Things." R K Narayan is a firm favourite and combined with the setting in "1980s Kerala" I was sold. Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth started off with great promise replete with scenes reminiscent of a typical Malayali household. I could identify with many of the conversations, the expressions, and behaviours. Yes, holding the edge of your mundu in your hand and walking is a very Malayali thing to do.
However, after the initial excitement the story falls flat with pointless turns and unnecessary changes in the tone of the story. What began as a simple, clean narrative denigrates into lusty scenes between Babu and Kamala with lacklustre conversation among other characters, as the children who originally made the story fun all but disappears.
I was quite disappointed with the way the book turned out. It had its moments, no doubt, but I think I am going to sit with Appooppan on the porch along with a whiskey because he had some of the best stories to tell.
However, after the initial excitement the story falls flat with pointless turns and unnecessary changes in the tone of the story. What began as a simple, clean narrative denigrates into lusty scenes between Babu and Kamala with lacklustre conversation among other characters, as the children who originally made the story fun all but disappears.
I was quite disappointed with the way the book turned out. It had its moments, no doubt, but I think I am going to sit with Appooppan on the porch along with a whiskey because he had some of the best stories to tell.
August 9, 2021
I took my time to write my review of Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth because I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book. I have mixed feelings because I loved the writing style, the subtle humor, and the theme of 80s nostalgia but I could not wrap my head around the open ending.
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth has two storylines that move parallel to each other in the beginning until they merge into one story.
There’s Geetha, the teenager who visits her grandparents during the summer vacations and gets embroiled in a power play with her cousins.
And then there’s Koovaith Kannan, the driver whose rags-to-riches story is the envy of his little village in Kerala–where Geetha’s grandparents live.
These lives of these very different characters intertwine in a way that shows how the relationship between master and servant evolves with time and circumstances.
In the beginning, it feels like you’ve been thrown amongst a whole bunch of characters. It takes a bit of time to get everyone straight. The author has helpfully supplied us with a family tree in the beginning, though (that I ignored because I was eager to start reading).
I don’t know Malayalam so terms like “ammayi,””ammooma,” “chukku vellam,” “eerkillu,” “kattan kaapi,” “neyappam,” “parippu,” and so on are new to me. There’s a glossary at the end but I did not refer to it. I like to deduce the meaning of the words from the context in which it is used. I also think that it is these words and expressions that give the story its distinct flavor. English translations would be a poor substitute.
The characters and incidents are described from Geetha’s point of view and it is this bit that I enjoyed the most. It brought back happy memories of my own summer vacations spent at my grandparent’s house.
Geetha’s analysis of her relatives and the dynamics between them is funny in a way only children’s thoughts can be. The author has done an excellent job of capturing events from the lens of a child’s eye. Geetha is left out of activities by her older cousins so she seeks companionship in the kitchen where the helpers of the house meet to carry out daily tasks.
At first, I could not understand why Koovaith Kannan’s story (a good-for-nothing boy who became a driver in Kuwait) was so elaborately described. His wife has an especially rancorous relationship with Devaki amma, Geetha’s grandmother. However, through Kannan’s life, we see how societal expectations push people to behave in a certain way.
Kannan’s children are also subject to scrutiny by relatives and neighbors, especially after he gets a well-paid job. Babu, Kannan’s son, who is smug in the belief that his father’s money will look after him has a life-altering realization after a dalliance with an older woman. Kannan’s daughter is conditioned to seek a “good” match as befitting her newly-acquired “elevated” status. The story of how her marriage is fixed and a dowry is agreed upon is a dispassionate look at one of the most deep-seated evils in India.
The author describes the failings and quirks of society without passing judgement and with a certain quiet humor that I greatly appreciated. She writes with such restraint and polish that it feels like I’m reading an opinion piece in a prestigious publication.
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth ends on an unusual note. Geetha’s innocence is marred by an incident that affected me, too, because it was so different in tone to the story thus far. It felt like I had landed into a separate book.
I also want to say (without giving much away) that the lack of closure was jarring. Perhaps I have trouble processing abrupt endings.
And finally, you may ask – why “Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth?” The title refers to two characters in the book whose actions affect Geetha deeply and change her perspective to life.
Pick up this book for the sheer reading pleasure this off-beat story gives you. I believe people from Kerala will enjoy the story all the more for its familiarity and nostalgia.
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth has two storylines that move parallel to each other in the beginning until they merge into one story.
There’s Geetha, the teenager who visits her grandparents during the summer vacations and gets embroiled in a power play with her cousins.
And then there’s Koovaith Kannan, the driver whose rags-to-riches story is the envy of his little village in Kerala–where Geetha’s grandparents live.
These lives of these very different characters intertwine in a way that shows how the relationship between master and servant evolves with time and circumstances.
In the beginning, it feels like you’ve been thrown amongst a whole bunch of characters. It takes a bit of time to get everyone straight. The author has helpfully supplied us with a family tree in the beginning, though (that I ignored because I was eager to start reading).
I don’t know Malayalam so terms like “ammayi,””ammooma,” “chukku vellam,” “eerkillu,” “kattan kaapi,” “neyappam,” “parippu,” and so on are new to me. There’s a glossary at the end but I did not refer to it. I like to deduce the meaning of the words from the context in which it is used. I also think that it is these words and expressions that give the story its distinct flavor. English translations would be a poor substitute.
The characters and incidents are described from Geetha’s point of view and it is this bit that I enjoyed the most. It brought back happy memories of my own summer vacations spent at my grandparent’s house.
Geetha’s analysis of her relatives and the dynamics between them is funny in a way only children’s thoughts can be. The author has done an excellent job of capturing events from the lens of a child’s eye. Geetha is left out of activities by her older cousins so she seeks companionship in the kitchen where the helpers of the house meet to carry out daily tasks.
At first, I could not understand why Koovaith Kannan’s story (a good-for-nothing boy who became a driver in Kuwait) was so elaborately described. His wife has an especially rancorous relationship with Devaki amma, Geetha’s grandmother. However, through Kannan’s life, we see how societal expectations push people to behave in a certain way.
Kannan’s children are also subject to scrutiny by relatives and neighbors, especially after he gets a well-paid job. Babu, Kannan’s son, who is smug in the belief that his father’s money will look after him has a life-altering realization after a dalliance with an older woman. Kannan’s daughter is conditioned to seek a “good” match as befitting her newly-acquired “elevated” status. The story of how her marriage is fixed and a dowry is agreed upon is a dispassionate look at one of the most deep-seated evils in India.
The author describes the failings and quirks of society without passing judgement and with a certain quiet humor that I greatly appreciated. She writes with such restraint and polish that it feels like I’m reading an opinion piece in a prestigious publication.
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth ends on an unusual note. Geetha’s innocence is marred by an incident that affected me, too, because it was so different in tone to the story thus far. It felt like I had landed into a separate book.
I also want to say (without giving much away) that the lack of closure was jarring. Perhaps I have trouble processing abrupt endings.
And finally, you may ask – why “Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth?” The title refers to two characters in the book whose actions affect Geetha deeply and change her perspective to life.
Pick up this book for the sheer reading pleasure this off-beat story gives you. I believe people from Kerala will enjoy the story all the more for its familiarity and nostalgia.
September 24, 2020
⭐⭐⭐.75/5
Mango Cheeks Metal Teeth, a debut novel by Aruna Nambiar is a simple sweet tale that takes you back in time, makes you nostalgic and reminds you of the childhood days when summer vacations meant going to grandmother's house and having fun with the cousins whom we could meet only during these vacations
🌴
Set in Ambalakunnu, a small town of Kerala of the 1980s, this book is part humorous and part satire.
🌴
Eleven years old Geetha has come to her grandparents' house in Kerala for her summer vacations and is looking forward to all the fun that she would have with her cousins that would include palying cards game, listening to ghost stories told by her grandfather,etc. But with her elder sister and other cousin ignoring her and two other brothers finding ways to trouble the sisters, Geetha feels dejected and finds herself spending time with the house helps especially with the fun loving cook Kamala.
🌴
Fifteen years old Babu, a son of a plumber/driver Kannan whose luck has favored him and landed him with a job in Kuwait and lots of money and gifts to bring back home. Babu's sister is getting married to the most eligible bachelor of the village, a constable Venu.
🌴
While the book deals with a lot of different storylines of different people which seems to get a bit confusing, the book mainly revolves around 2 characters - Geetha and Babu and in parts Kamala.
🌴
At certain parts, it did feel like a lot was happening and yet nothing much to look forward in the book, but with simple writing and vivid in it's description, this book does make up for a good light read that is sure to impress all the readers especially since it gives a feeling of finding an old diary and reliving the moments of the days gone by.
Mango Cheeks Metal Teeth, a debut novel by Aruna Nambiar is a simple sweet tale that takes you back in time, makes you nostalgic and reminds you of the childhood days when summer vacations meant going to grandmother's house and having fun with the cousins whom we could meet only during these vacations
🌴
Set in Ambalakunnu, a small town of Kerala of the 1980s, this book is part humorous and part satire.
🌴
Eleven years old Geetha has come to her grandparents' house in Kerala for her summer vacations and is looking forward to all the fun that she would have with her cousins that would include palying cards game, listening to ghost stories told by her grandfather,etc. But with her elder sister and other cousin ignoring her and two other brothers finding ways to trouble the sisters, Geetha feels dejected and finds herself spending time with the house helps especially with the fun loving cook Kamala.
🌴
Fifteen years old Babu, a son of a plumber/driver Kannan whose luck has favored him and landed him with a job in Kuwait and lots of money and gifts to bring back home. Babu's sister is getting married to the most eligible bachelor of the village, a constable Venu.
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While the book deals with a lot of different storylines of different people which seems to get a bit confusing, the book mainly revolves around 2 characters - Geetha and Babu and in parts Kamala.
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At certain parts, it did feel like a lot was happening and yet nothing much to look forward in the book, but with simple writing and vivid in it's description, this book does make up for a good light read that is sure to impress all the readers especially since it gives a feeling of finding an old diary and reliving the moments of the days gone by.
August 13, 2020
3.5 stars
Book 50 for 2020. Got this via Kindle Unlimited since I was looking for a light read. A very endearing story of a teenager from Bombay who goes back home for summer vacation to her village in Kerala and how the happenings around her change her.
The book initially started off with many plot points and many characters (the author was kind enough to put the family connections at the beginning of the book). It had the story of a woman who really wanted to show her and her family rise up the social ladder. It also had the story of an adolescent guy who falls for a slightly older girl. And it had Geetha - the girl from Bombay - who was a mute spectator in all this. The writing style is quite simple and easy to follow. Though the multiple plotlines and characters were initially hard to follow, they all merge into a single plot line 35% into the book.
Read this on a lazy afternoon off! You’ll have some memories of your summer vacation from eons ago!
Book 50 for 2020. Got this via Kindle Unlimited since I was looking for a light read. A very endearing story of a teenager from Bombay who goes back home for summer vacation to her village in Kerala and how the happenings around her change her.
The book initially started off with many plot points and many characters (the author was kind enough to put the family connections at the beginning of the book). It had the story of a woman who really wanted to show her and her family rise up the social ladder. It also had the story of an adolescent guy who falls for a slightly older girl. And it had Geetha - the girl from Bombay - who was a mute spectator in all this. The writing style is quite simple and easy to follow. Though the multiple plotlines and characters were initially hard to follow, they all merge into a single plot line 35% into the book.
Read this on a lazy afternoon off! You’ll have some memories of your summer vacation from eons ago!
September 30, 2018
A lovely and quick read, where one is transported back to a village in Kerala with all of its small town consciousness of social hierarchy and relationships.
April 14, 2021
Such a simple story, but so captivating! Summer vacations at grandmother’s rambling house, those long summer days of doing nothing, grandfather’s ghosts stories,cousins, uncles, aunts, the neighbours, the petty fights, a village wedding, and the simple lives with not so simple day-to-day living.. all written with a subtle tongue-in-cheek humour. But under all that there is a poignant story of growing up, losing innocence and learning lessons.
To summarise, a really delightful read.
To summarise, a really delightful read.
May 16, 2021
One thing I miss about childhood is summer vacation and time spend with cousins
This is a perfect read to remember the glorious time of our life.
Told from Geetha's perspective, Mango cheeks, metal teeth is a coming of age story, revolving around the Nair family and their once upon a time cook Sundarikutty.
Well written and funny, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It definitely will take you down memory lane.
This is a perfect read to remember the glorious time of our life.
Told from Geetha's perspective, Mango cheeks, metal teeth is a coming of age story, revolving around the Nair family and their once upon a time cook Sundarikutty.
Well written and funny, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It definitely will take you down memory lane.
April 8, 2020
I love that this book indulges in nostalgia for the 1980s, summer holidays at grandparents' village, by interweaving it with a coming of age story for more than just the protagonist, little Geetha. It's also written very well and doesn't balk at using malayalam words where appropriate.
February 13, 2022
I have found a new favourite writer. An absolute delight of a book! The summer vacations in Kerala, the extended families, the brawling siblings, a small village where everyone knows about everyone else's business.
October 14, 2014
There is something to be said about the simplicity of summer vacations with cousins – the friendly squabbles which turn to something more, the wild games and the ultimate process of growing up. It doesn’t matter where I grew up, the achingly familiar words of Aruna Nambiar strikes a chord.
I could completely relate with the blissful summers 11 year old Geetha along with her siblings and cousins enjoy at their grandparents place in Kerala. The summer is full of promise as there is a marriage in the cards.
As the connections, egos and joys between the families develop, Geetha grows up. It is a coming-of-age tale told with the touch of innocence and humour. The book brings to life the obsessions – gold, dowry, foreign exchange, master/servant class and more.
The characters are defined well and the writing flows easily without lingering behind in nostalgia. Strewn with words from Malayalam, the book is indeed a fun vacation read.
I received a free copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
- See more at: http://www.ourowncorner.com/poohsden/...
I could completely relate with the blissful summers 11 year old Geetha along with her siblings and cousins enjoy at their grandparents place in Kerala. The summer is full of promise as there is a marriage in the cards.
As the connections, egos and joys between the families develop, Geetha grows up. It is a coming-of-age tale told with the touch of innocence and humour. The book brings to life the obsessions – gold, dowry, foreign exchange, master/servant class and more.
The characters are defined well and the writing flows easily without lingering behind in nostalgia. Strewn with words from Malayalam, the book is indeed a fun vacation read.
I received a free copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
- See more at: http://www.ourowncorner.com/poohsden/...
December 7, 2014
This is a beautifully told story, told in a style employed by the legendary R. K. Narayan. Aruna captures the salad-not-soup aspect of modern India -- distinct constituents of a society whose lives and stories make a tapestry, touching but not blending. Geeta's summer vacation at her grandparents' home-- big, buzzing household, doting family, sparring siblings, languid summer -- is a shared memory for many Indians of my generation. Aruna's witty, sweet description left me nostalgic and wistful.
But, there are other inhabitants in this blissful world, meant to be seen but not heard: the domestic helps that toil away to keep this Disney World humming. They have their own rules, ambitions, desires and conflicts. Aruna writes eloquently about Geetha's coming of age as she discovers the life teeming in this anthill.
But, there are other inhabitants in this blissful world, meant to be seen but not heard: the domestic helps that toil away to keep this Disney World humming. They have their own rules, ambitions, desires and conflicts. Aruna writes eloquently about Geetha's coming of age as she discovers the life teeming in this anthill.
February 23, 2014
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth is a delightful read from start to finish. There were places where I was grinning so much as I read it that my kids were looking at me strangely. But under the humour, the frivolity, the nostalgia of an 80s life, there are several growing up lessons taking place, most of them, unfortunately a little unpleasant. Yet, the book never gets maudlin, never lingers for too long on something although it does leave you with an ache for things that could have been. Brilliant writing by Aruna Nambiar for whom humour flows effortlessly. Waiting to read more from her. Indian writing could do with more of her work I'm sure!
April 7, 2021
Summer of '69
Through this book you get a descriptive slice of a summer in Trivandrum for 3 families of varying financial means, through the eyes of Geetha, spending her vacation in Trivandrum with her siblings and cousins. The lives of the families go through a roller coaster of fortunes going up and down, and this slice includes an interesting slice of a wedding, a romance, an affair machinations of manipulative women, indulgent grandfathers, and through it all a village in kerala comes alive to us, in all its green, coconut laden, lush glory.
Through this book you get a descriptive slice of a summer in Trivandrum for 3 families of varying financial means, through the eyes of Geetha, spending her vacation in Trivandrum with her siblings and cousins. The lives of the families go through a roller coaster of fortunes going up and down, and this slice includes an interesting slice of a wedding, a romance, an affair machinations of manipulative women, indulgent grandfathers, and through it all a village in kerala comes alive to us, in all its green, coconut laden, lush glory.
September 27, 2019
So I picked up this book on a whim, have to admit the interesting looking cover obviously made me pick that up. A quick read of the backside blurb got me interested!
Set in a different time where Kapil Dev hadn't retired and Sridevi still ruled the roost in Bollywood? Sign me up quick, because hey, that sounds like my own summer vacations in Kerala. The holidays were always whimsically attractive, springing up strong sepia tinted nostalgic memories of childhood, the sights and smell that stayed with us for a life time, and will have us sighing and swooning even today. So Aruna Nambiar scores full points on that front - Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth her debut novel is a warm wonderful trip down the memory lane, bringing alive the typical sights and sounds of a laid back Kerala small town, filled with the quirky, highly relatable typical characters who represent the best and worst of humanity in such places. Her tone is affably warm, gathering us in a welcoming embrace, just like Sundarikutty's sloppy well intentioned kisses on the forehead. Aruna's language captivates and thrills, drawing out the bewitching imageries, one too many in brilliant technicolour detail. Picture this: A coy Kamala, who face is round as a Malgova mango, her oiled plaits of hair thick as fishing boat ropes and has eyes that spark like the sea on a sunlit morn. Or the smells and sights of the huge kitchen where the batter is being grounded using the "ammi-kallu" or the rice is being weeded through using those archaic straw trays. The descriptions are vivid, springing up to life effortlessly as you read them. The 'Tharavadu' or the ancestral house in Ambalakunnu is your typically large mansion with its many nook and crannies locked up or in disuse. There's even the room up in the attic, that is the 'Ghost Room' where no one is allowed.
The whole feel of the book is immersive like finding an old discarded shawl that used to be your favourite back in time and then you wrap that around yourself feeling nice, warm and fuzzy. This book took me back years, to my own Ammoomma's (Maternal Grandmother) house back in Mahe, Kerala where I had spent many a summer holiday with my cousins, exploring those huge grand-old chests filled with books (a treasure trove!), playing cricket or football on the sands, hide-and-seek or hours just contemplating the wings of a butterfly in the huge garden or just plain snoozing on the branches of the mango tree in the backyard.
If I had any issue, that would be with the story itself. While it is centred around the lives of Eleven-year old Geetha and the young-adult Babu infatuated with the servant girl Kamala in the Nair household, at times it did feel like I was reading disjointed 'travel-columns' on the lives and times of Malayali folks. The characters were twisted, some real fun to read about but it never seemed to gel together too well. Babu's narrative was a bit more exciting (wink!) because of the saucy Kamala's role in it [And what a fire crack that one!] A bit disappointed with the ending as well. Geetha's and Babu's bond was never presented in full except for in "tell" mode where the author goes to lengths about how Geetha learns cycling from Babu.
There are several fun moments in the book, interspersed with blithe descriptions of the history of the various characters. So Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth in total felt like an experiment for me. One that mostly ran positive results for me but that I suspect, is purely because of my own memories that helped me colour the narrative, make it fully three-dimensional, a living journal with a lot of heart, built of fond memories and cuddly, nostalgic happiness. I am not sure for an audience who haven't experienced summer holidays in their grandparents' ancestral 'tharavadu' how much did they feel immersed into the disjointed but wholly entertaining narrative.
Set in a different time where Kapil Dev hadn't retired and Sridevi still ruled the roost in Bollywood? Sign me up quick, because hey, that sounds like my own summer vacations in Kerala. The holidays were always whimsically attractive, springing up strong sepia tinted nostalgic memories of childhood, the sights and smell that stayed with us for a life time, and will have us sighing and swooning even today. So Aruna Nambiar scores full points on that front - Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth her debut novel is a warm wonderful trip down the memory lane, bringing alive the typical sights and sounds of a laid back Kerala small town, filled with the quirky, highly relatable typical characters who represent the best and worst of humanity in such places. Her tone is affably warm, gathering us in a welcoming embrace, just like Sundarikutty's sloppy well intentioned kisses on the forehead. Aruna's language captivates and thrills, drawing out the bewitching imageries, one too many in brilliant technicolour detail. Picture this: A coy Kamala, who face is round as a Malgova mango, her oiled plaits of hair thick as fishing boat ropes and has eyes that spark like the sea on a sunlit morn. Or the smells and sights of the huge kitchen where the batter is being grounded using the "ammi-kallu" or the rice is being weeded through using those archaic straw trays. The descriptions are vivid, springing up to life effortlessly as you read them. The 'Tharavadu' or the ancestral house in Ambalakunnu is your typically large mansion with its many nook and crannies locked up or in disuse. There's even the room up in the attic, that is the 'Ghost Room' where no one is allowed.
The whole feel of the book is immersive like finding an old discarded shawl that used to be your favourite back in time and then you wrap that around yourself feeling nice, warm and fuzzy. This book took me back years, to my own Ammoomma's (Maternal Grandmother) house back in Mahe, Kerala where I had spent many a summer holiday with my cousins, exploring those huge grand-old chests filled with books (a treasure trove!), playing cricket or football on the sands, hide-and-seek or hours just contemplating the wings of a butterfly in the huge garden or just plain snoozing on the branches of the mango tree in the backyard.
If I had any issue, that would be with the story itself. While it is centred around the lives of Eleven-year old Geetha and the young-adult Babu infatuated with the servant girl Kamala in the Nair household, at times it did feel like I was reading disjointed 'travel-columns' on the lives and times of Malayali folks. The characters were twisted, some real fun to read about but it never seemed to gel together too well. Babu's narrative was a bit more exciting (wink!) because of the saucy Kamala's role in it [And what a fire crack that one!] A bit disappointed with the ending as well. Geetha's and Babu's bond was never presented in full except for in "tell" mode where the author goes to lengths about how Geetha learns cycling from Babu.
There are several fun moments in the book, interspersed with blithe descriptions of the history of the various characters. So Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth in total felt like an experiment for me. One that mostly ran positive results for me but that I suspect, is purely because of my own memories that helped me colour the narrative, make it fully three-dimensional, a living journal with a lot of heart, built of fond memories and cuddly, nostalgic happiness. I am not sure for an audience who haven't experienced summer holidays in their grandparents' ancestral 'tharavadu' how much did they feel immersed into the disjointed but wholly entertaining narrative.
June 1, 2018
Finished reading this today morning.
Set in the 90s, it's a story about a family that gets together, grandparents, parents, grandchildren and all, every summer at the matriarch's house in Kerala.
The novel describes the beauty of Kerala, especially the small town where the grandparents live in a sprawling bungalow full of huge old rooms brimming with mystery for young explorers, and a motley collection of house help; the simplicity of life before the tech boom in the 2000s, and the joys of summer vacations spent at nani's house that all us pre 2000 kids can so very well relate to.
Even though it was set in Kerala, the lives, the characters, the dynamics of relationships between parents, siblings, in-laws or kids.. Was so well brought out, and reminded me so much of my own maternal family.
The novel starts lazily but builds up in the second half to a twisty climax. It left me a tad dissatisfied, the sudden ending and the flash forward in the last chapter. But .. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the simple yet well written narrative, the interesting characters and their unique attributes, the ups and downs in relationships, and, ofcourse, the setting of 90s. I'm a sucker for nostalgia.
Not an award winning book but a fantastic attempt by the author, I really enjoyed reading this one!
Set in the 90s, it's a story about a family that gets together, grandparents, parents, grandchildren and all, every summer at the matriarch's house in Kerala.
The novel describes the beauty of Kerala, especially the small town where the grandparents live in a sprawling bungalow full of huge old rooms brimming with mystery for young explorers, and a motley collection of house help; the simplicity of life before the tech boom in the 2000s, and the joys of summer vacations spent at nani's house that all us pre 2000 kids can so very well relate to.
Even though it was set in Kerala, the lives, the characters, the dynamics of relationships between parents, siblings, in-laws or kids.. Was so well brought out, and reminded me so much of my own maternal family.
The novel starts lazily but builds up in the second half to a twisty climax. It left me a tad dissatisfied, the sudden ending and the flash forward in the last chapter. But .. Apart from that, I really enjoyed the simple yet well written narrative, the interesting characters and their unique attributes, the ups and downs in relationships, and, ofcourse, the setting of 90s. I'm a sucker for nostalgia.
Not an award winning book but a fantastic attempt by the author, I really enjoyed reading this one!
May 2, 2021
With great pains and perseverance I finished this rather ghastly book. I started this book in September, 2016 and finally finished it in April, 2021. Every time I picked up this book, it bored me to sleep. Even though I have the same background and upbringing of a non native Malayalee, the context of the book is not familiar to me at all. I just couldn't relate with any of the elements of the book. If it wasn't for my friend who gifted this to me, I would have never finished it. But I am proud of having read through and finished this book and this might also be my longest rant about a book on Goodreads. If I ever find an extremely disagreeable person in my life whom I don't match wavelength with, and I am forced to gift them a book, I am gonna gift him or her this one. I don't know which my favourite book is but this definitely is the worst book I have ever read. I am very sorry to the author for the harsh review but it's only my personal opinion and my existence in the world is of no real consequence, so if the author of this book ever reads this review, please just ignore it. I am sorry but I just couldn't relate to this book, it was an awful experience.
June 27, 2019
One of the most underrated Indian fiction books. Aruna has a brilliant yet seemingly effortless style of writing, skillfully laced with humor, satire and nostalgia.
Set in the 1980s at Ambalamkunnu, a small town near Thiruvananthapuram, the novel narrates an eventful summer when cousins from Delhi and Bombay visit their ancestral home to spend their annual vacation. The author vividly describes people, places and situations, packed with humor at the right places, connecting three different plots.
This book evokes a lot of nostalgia, especially for the 80s kids. Also describes the social life of Kerala in the 1980s, particularly the Gulf boom and its social impact.
Although not a big fan of e-books, I read this one on Kindle, as the paper-version was a bit overpriced at online stores in the UAE. I had never managed to read a complete book on the digital platform, prior to this one.
An easy read, this can be completed in less than 5 hours. This book has inspired me to re-read ‘The God of Small Things’, though the latter belongs to a different league altogether!
Set in the 1980s at Ambalamkunnu, a small town near Thiruvananthapuram, the novel narrates an eventful summer when cousins from Delhi and Bombay visit their ancestral home to spend their annual vacation. The author vividly describes people, places and situations, packed with humor at the right places, connecting three different plots.
This book evokes a lot of nostalgia, especially for the 80s kids. Also describes the social life of Kerala in the 1980s, particularly the Gulf boom and its social impact.
Although not a big fan of e-books, I read this one on Kindle, as the paper-version was a bit overpriced at online stores in the UAE. I had never managed to read a complete book on the digital platform, prior to this one.
An easy read, this can be completed in less than 5 hours. This book has inspired me to re-read ‘The God of Small Things’, though the latter belongs to a different league altogether!
June 20, 2020
Nostalgic trip! Initially it was struggle to get through the book, it was hard to follow with too many characters and I found myself getting lost and frustrated frequently. I kept waiting for the characters to develop and understand where it was going and later I got sucked into the story precisely. My patience paid off! It took us to our childhood Summer vacation, village trip, grandparents house, siblings, cousins, lots of giggle, lots of Cold War, jealously, ghost story, delicious food, gossips and what not! It’s too open and transparent of everyone’s behaviour and I was giggling and laughing when reading about few characters. Initially it was boring but later I enjoyed it thoroughly. Oh and I’ve read many malayalam words too in the end!
December 26, 2020
This is a story set in the 80s about a young girl Geetha and her family's summer vacation in a small town in Kerala. It starts out light as most of us can relate to the excitement of eagerly anticipated summer holidays amidst cousins with not a care in the world. Yet it is so much more than a coming of age story. It also reflects upon the class distinctions that continue to exist in our society and get overlooked due to their persistent practice and unquestioned acceptance since generations.
All the references to Kerala and plenty of Malayalam words and phrases made it very relatable to me. This was a lovely read overall.
Rating:3.8/5
All the references to Kerala and plenty of Malayalam words and phrases made it very relatable to me. This was a lovely read overall.
Rating:3.8/5
March 30, 2018
I totally loved this book! Although a Keralite I never had the fortune of those annual Kerala visits that my other more fortunate Keralite friends had. But reading this book - with all its vivid descriptions of the little town, it's inhabitants, the food, the hustle and bustle - literally transports you into a memory you never really had! Amazing stuff!
February 26, 2021
Mango Cheeks, Metal Teeth takes a while to grow on you. Much like the long summer vacations where initially it is exciting, then becomes monotonous and then a few weeks before your departure back to the city, just when you start to get excited, it finishes and you head home, longing for the vacations again.
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