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Boy, Unloved
In a sleepy village in Goa, a child grows up in a house whose windows are never opened. The door is often locked as well, and no visitors ever come by to meet the family.
Vipin Parob has a strange and solitary childhood, dominated by his overbearing and cruel father. In this home Vipin grows up friendless, till he begins to read voraciously. Now Vipin knows more about the world—its mysteries and cruelties, its wonder and beauty. What he doesn’t get to know, is love.
Vipin steps into high school and becomes a reluctant friend to two girls—Chitra and Fatima. Chitra sees the laughter hidden deep within him. Fatima brings chaos and joy with her, and into Vipin’s life. And slowly he finds he has an identity separate from his cold and unloving family. But can he ever overcome the loneliness that has seeped into him? When the time comes, will he know how to give and receive love?
From the acclaimed Jnanpith Award-winning novelist, comes a work of unflinching honesty and startling truths. Filled with unforgettable characters written from a depth of understanding, this translation by Jerry Pinto throbs with life in all its bewildering glory.
Vipin Parob has a strange and solitary childhood, dominated by his overbearing and cruel father. In this home Vipin grows up friendless, till he begins to read voraciously. Now Vipin knows more about the world—its mysteries and cruelties, its wonder and beauty. What he doesn’t get to know, is love.
Vipin steps into high school and becomes a reluctant friend to two girls—Chitra and Fatima. Chitra sees the laughter hidden deep within him. Fatima brings chaos and joy with her, and into Vipin’s life. And slowly he finds he has an identity separate from his cold and unloving family. But can he ever overcome the loneliness that has seeped into him? When the time comes, will he know how to give and receive love?
From the acclaimed Jnanpith Award-winning novelist, comes a work of unflinching honesty and startling truths. Filled with unforgettable characters written from a depth of understanding, this translation by Jerry Pinto throbs with life in all its bewildering glory.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2024
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Damodar Mauzo
15 books14 followersDamodar Mauzo (born 1 August 1944) is a Goan short story writer, novelist, critic and script writer in Konkani. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for the novel Karmelin and the Vimala V. Pai Vishwa Konkani Sahitya Puraskar award for his novel Tsunami Simon in 2011.[1] His collection of Short stories Teresa's Man and Other Stories from Goa was nominated for the Frank O'Connor International award in 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 12, 2024
Literary gems are often found in the regional language literature. Reading translated novels from different languages and backgrounds is something I always cherish. And when the novel in question is translated from Konkani literature, being the mother-tongue, it's touches a special place in my heart.
Damodar Mouzo is one of the most respected Konkani author. The renowned novelist and short-story writer has also won the 57th Jnanpith Award. Reading him is always a joy, but being a critic of his writings seems audacious. But for the love of literature, let me make a lame attempt to review Mauzobab's "Boy, Unloved", which is originally called "Jeev Divum Kai Chya Marum", translated by Jerry Pinto.
'Boy, Unloved' is one of the few contemporary fiction in Konkani literature. It is a biographical story narrated by the protagonist Vipin. The story starts when Vipin is about 5-6 years old and ends when he is about 21-22. Born in a middle-class family somewhere in and around Panaji, the capital city of Goa, Vipin has never experienced love from his parents. A father who cuts down a mango tree just because Vipin plays near it, scolds him when he comes home with a friend or visits one and restricts him in a dark room on advise of an exorcist. Vipin starts loving darkness and loneliness and as he grows up, he finds himself to be an addict. No, not alcohol, smoking, or weed. Vipin finds himself addicted to Tea, and a cup of tea is what gives him relief every time he is anxious, stressful, sad, afraid and all his vulnerable moments.
Vipin is good with academics and scoring marks is something that comes natural to him. When he clears his matriculation with flying colours, Vipin's father decides that he will be a doctor. And thus, Vipin's future is decided, with him having no say in it. And even if he were to have a say, Vipin had no idea and direction of what to do.
The plot unfolds when Vipin befriends Chitra and Fatima. For a long time, it then takes a turn as a young-adult novel, with a love-triangle developing between three of them. Fatima loves Vipin who loves Chitra. Reading this part reminded me of the Hindi movie "Ishk Vishk"- a college love-triangle that almost seems like puppy love. But the similarity ends there!
As a reader, during this phase, I found the narrative to be repetitive with sweet talks on phone calls, flirting and hinting, meeting in canteen, Vipin getting enamoured by Chitra and irritated by Fatima at the same time, and the umpteen times he gets the feeling of "need for a cup of tea".
Another place where I expected a little more are the side-plots with Martin Sir (Vipin's mentor) and Sarvesh Namshikar (Vipin's friend). I thought it was a little forced, or may be I failed to look at what it contributed to the main plot.
What I really admired and was fascinated by was how Mauzobab raised a lot of relevant issues through the character of his protagonist. How Konkani literature is ignored and the sad state of red-tapism affecting meaningful initiatives, poor quality of roads and infrastructure, scarcity of electricity and power supply, relevance (or glorification?) of traditions and rituals, impact of tourism on local youth, family inheritance and it's impact on family dynamics and relations, sexuality and homosexuality, and many more. Through Vipin's musings, Damodar Mauzo talks about a lot of things that one should stop and ponder on.
Another reason to read this novel is that Mauzobab introduces us to a lot of book titles and it's authors and in many places teases us with what the book is about. I am sure the reader will end up adding a lot of new books in their TBR list by the time they finish this novel.
What starts as a young-adult teenage love, ends with something deep and tragic. The novel ends on a cliffhanger and it's up to the reader's imagination on how and where they want to end it. For me, this was just another reason that makes the novel a great read.
Certainly a novel that shouldn't be missed. Pick it up and you will not be disappointed.
Damodar Mouzo is one of the most respected Konkani author. The renowned novelist and short-story writer has also won the 57th Jnanpith Award. Reading him is always a joy, but being a critic of his writings seems audacious. But for the love of literature, let me make a lame attempt to review Mauzobab's "Boy, Unloved", which is originally called "Jeev Divum Kai Chya Marum", translated by Jerry Pinto.
'Boy, Unloved' is one of the few contemporary fiction in Konkani literature. It is a biographical story narrated by the protagonist Vipin. The story starts when Vipin is about 5-6 years old and ends when he is about 21-22. Born in a middle-class family somewhere in and around Panaji, the capital city of Goa, Vipin has never experienced love from his parents. A father who cuts down a mango tree just because Vipin plays near it, scolds him when he comes home with a friend or visits one and restricts him in a dark room on advise of an exorcist. Vipin starts loving darkness and loneliness and as he grows up, he finds himself to be an addict. No, not alcohol, smoking, or weed. Vipin finds himself addicted to Tea, and a cup of tea is what gives him relief every time he is anxious, stressful, sad, afraid and all his vulnerable moments.
Vipin is good with academics and scoring marks is something that comes natural to him. When he clears his matriculation with flying colours, Vipin's father decides that he will be a doctor. And thus, Vipin's future is decided, with him having no say in it. And even if he were to have a say, Vipin had no idea and direction of what to do.
The plot unfolds when Vipin befriends Chitra and Fatima. For a long time, it then takes a turn as a young-adult novel, with a love-triangle developing between three of them. Fatima loves Vipin who loves Chitra. Reading this part reminded me of the Hindi movie "Ishk Vishk"- a college love-triangle that almost seems like puppy love. But the similarity ends there!
As a reader, during this phase, I found the narrative to be repetitive with sweet talks on phone calls, flirting and hinting, meeting in canteen, Vipin getting enamoured by Chitra and irritated by Fatima at the same time, and the umpteen times he gets the feeling of "need for a cup of tea".
Another place where I expected a little more are the side-plots with Martin Sir (Vipin's mentor) and Sarvesh Namshikar (Vipin's friend). I thought it was a little forced, or may be I failed to look at what it contributed to the main plot.
What I really admired and was fascinated by was how Mauzobab raised a lot of relevant issues through the character of his protagonist. How Konkani literature is ignored and the sad state of red-tapism affecting meaningful initiatives, poor quality of roads and infrastructure, scarcity of electricity and power supply, relevance (or glorification?) of traditions and rituals, impact of tourism on local youth, family inheritance and it's impact on family dynamics and relations, sexuality and homosexuality, and many more. Through Vipin's musings, Damodar Mauzo talks about a lot of things that one should stop and ponder on.
Another reason to read this novel is that Mauzobab introduces us to a lot of book titles and it's authors and in many places teases us with what the book is about. I am sure the reader will end up adding a lot of new books in their TBR list by the time they finish this novel.
What starts as a young-adult teenage love, ends with something deep and tragic. The novel ends on a cliffhanger and it's up to the reader's imagination on how and where they want to end it. For me, this was just another reason that makes the novel a great read.
Certainly a novel that shouldn't be missed. Pick it up and you will not be disappointed.
April 7, 2025
The story seems simple enough when you begin. Your average, young boy and his story as he journeys through life. Until it isn’t. There are layers and layers to uncover of the character with every page you turn. As a reader, your attention is drawn to how his circumstances have shaped him, the resilience with which he faces challenges (while not even thinking too much of it because of his fairly troubled childhood). You begin to admire how despite all this he ends up developing a very progressive mindset and has an admirable sense of what is right and wrong. You feel heartened to see the darkness of his life dispelled by the warmth of genuine friendship. You are proud of the man he turns into and genuinely want things to work out for him. Beautifully written and thought provoking
July 12, 2025
Love, longing, and survival in the mundanity of Goa. Peppered with old world charm, a slightly uneven bildungsroman which shines whenever the focus is on the tangled relationship between its three protagonists. Has one of the best last lines I've read in a novel, but would fail the Bechdel Test eight days a week. [3.5/5]
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December 16, 2025Okay, I give up.
I LOVE Jerry Pinto’s writing, and maybe I’d get back to it someday, but right now it’s testing my patience. It reads like a mundane, everyday account of a boy who seemingly doesn’t feel or express anything (You can blame his dysfunctional family).
Whenever I imagine Babu, I see an expressionless kid who excels at everything he does —whether it’s playing marbles (even though it’s the first time he has ever touched them), or academics (He has an unusual ability to remember the entire dictionary) or devouring any kind of novels.
I think it's not really Jerry Pinto, it's the original story that's not working for me.
I LOVE Jerry Pinto’s writing, and maybe I’d get back to it someday, but right now it’s testing my patience. It reads like a mundane, everyday account of a boy who seemingly doesn’t feel or express anything (You can blame his dysfunctional family).
Whenever I imagine Babu, I see an expressionless kid who excels at everything he does —whether it’s playing marbles (even though it’s the first time he has ever touched them), or academics (He has an unusual ability to remember the entire dictionary) or devouring any kind of novels.
I think it's not really Jerry Pinto, it's the original story that's not working for me.
November 8, 2024
Such a tender and beautiful tale....it stayed with me long after I had finished reading it.
March 28, 2025
I think of myself as someone who feels with painful depth and yet, this book extended my capacity to feel. For this, I will always be grateful.
February 18, 2025
This could be any of our stories, but when you finish you're glad it's not. Love of various kinds - your parents, friends, extended family, helpers, teachers - you encounter these across the book. But can you love back? Our regional languages contain some great gems and Translations give them their due. How i wish I could read this in konkani. I must try! 😊 and oh yes, this story gave me bad cravings for a strong cup of tea.
September 23, 2024
Simple. Easy. Moving
August 9, 2024
Heart warming. Plus a translation that gets into the soul of the narrative
July 13, 2024
Such a poignant, moving read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews