Lakshmi’s Secret Diary

by Ari Gautier, Sheela Mahadevan (translator)

Seeking to escape captivity, Lakshmi the temple elephant sets out on a stirring journey toward freedom. On her way, she briefly experiences life as a film star and encounters a colorful cast including a three-legged dog named Tripod Dog Baba, other elephants in the Bandipur Forest, a chameleon facing an existential crisis, a moon who dances with an elephant, and a flying fish called Alphonse.

Lakshmi’s Secret Diary is a remarkable Indian Francophone novel set in Pondicherry, the former capital of French India. Blending philosophical meditations, retellings of Sanskrit mythology, and social critique, Ari Gautier tells the story of Lakshmi’s attempt to escape her fate. From the point of view of animals, the novel explores concepts of destiny, freedom, and identity. It illuminates the paradoxes of animal-human relations in India, where animals are both abused and worshiped, and provides an imaginative critique of the caste system. Gautier’s vivid portrait of Pondicherry brings to life the religious, cultural, culinary, and visual diversity of the city’s districts and sheds light on the little-known history of French colonialism in India. An afterword explores issues such as reincarnation and Indian translation traditions in relation to the novel. At once tragic and comic, satirical and surreal, Lakshmi’s Secret Diary is a surprising, compelling, and moving novel from a gifted storyteller.

Genres: Fiction

296 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Arunaa (IG: rebelbooksta) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My #bookreview is a dedication to the actual (late) elephant Lakshmi who was a resident in ManakullaVinayagar temple, #Pondicherry . Felt sad when Ari shared the news of her passing in 2022. I wished I had a chance to visit Lakshmi - the star of this story one day. But I believe she’s immortalized in the story Ari passionately wrote. This book carries her memories and her story has a place in my heart.
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An ounce of compassion is all it takes to comprehend the truths in the gifted storyteller #AriGautier ‘s latest #apologue - #LakshmisSecretDiary .
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Sensitively translated from the original Indian #Francophone ‘#CarnetSecretdeLakshmi ‘ into English by #SheelaMahadevan .
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Ari Gautier has made an indelible mark on the former French Capital of India - Pondicherry’s literary sphere with his third contemporary novel, more so a bestiary set in the picturesque Pondichèry. Of course never without his multilingual flavours of the colloquial Tamil, Pondicherrian Creole.
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His 2 earlier novels : #TheThinnai and #NocturnePondicherry have revealed the multicultural landscape of Pondicherry where the French colonialism coexists with the Indian culture and its abhorrent caste obsessions. In this interspace, exists the vacillating nature of its people, language, architecture and food.
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He expands this social dimension to the significant world of animals cohabiting in Pondicherry featuring Lakshmi the elephant with the unusual suspects - the dogs, cats, chameleon, kingfishers, mythological creatures. Each with a mind of their own.
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The entirety of the story is a satire that deftly handles the cradle to grave system hile exposing the true undercurrents of Pondicherrian society.
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He assigns the Indian caste hierarchy to the elephants Meenakshi, Lakshmi, Veeran, Manmath (Rastafarian elephants too!), classism, corruption and economical status to the mischievous Tripod Dog Baba’s survival traits and his friends Jimmy, girlfriend Mira and the other. ascribes the spiritual mumbo jumbo of reincarnation of Paradesi Swamigal to Alphonse the flying fish given the rampant delusion of mysticism ingrained in the minds and finally the discriminated chameleon suffering from identity crisis.
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“And if we have this privileged status, it’s because people believe that we are endowed with a distinct intellectual capacity. For that matter, the elephant god Ganesh was modeled on us, and not the other way around.”
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Lakshmi recounts her life as a Gajaraman (temple elephant) to a celebrity elephant in the Devar’s company films. (The cult film Muthu makes a cameo) and then displaced to become a temple 🐘, in other words a beggar.
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Tripod Dog Baba vehemently holds the mythological Mahabharata accountable for foiling the mating ritual of dogs. Being the fraudulent self-proclaimed ascetic, he attempts and fails
at enlightening the young and naive Lakshmi with the usual banal philosophical sermons that were of no help to her fervent quest for freedom.
Despite her predicament, she felt a deep connection to Tripod from their musings. Her loneliness made her turn to as her friend to confide in because both Lakshmi and Tripod Dog Baba first hand experience abuses in the name of worship by fellow humans.
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Lakshmi was already bursting at her seams and grows pensive in her conundrum to be freed as she listens to the stories her friends discuss about the thrills of wilderness, freedom and escaping captivity. She chooses dignity over her life as a temple beggar. Somewhere in the back of her mind she remembers that a similar temple elephant who shared her fate at the hands of human society had gone furious and rogue and stamped on the then exiled revolutionary Bharatiyar to death. The final straw came for Lakshmi when a personal tragedy took hold of her friend the Tripod Dog Baba. She then succumbs to her beastly instinct which I fully supported with my heart.
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I was hugely entertained by the Frenchman ‘Bambaram Durai” and ‘Taniglass’ and enjoyed the little histories of Travancore, Maurya dynasty, Japanese occupation, sight and soundscapes of the Kerala and Burma elephant corridors.
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Oh man, I was drooling at the scrumptious Pondi cuisines Tripod dog baba knew like the back of his paw.
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I love the adventures of Lakshmi and Tripod Dog Baba so much. A story of homecoming, sense of belonging, trust and friendship, survival decisions, freedom and captivity, mundanity and perhaps a little bit of revolution. It is Pondicherry after all. Indeed an eloquently written powerful story.
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There’s no Pondicherry without the Thinnai, creole, revolution and Ari Gautier. You’ve outdone yourself! Here’s to many more!
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#booksandcigars #igreads #columbiauniversitypress #translatedfiction #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

[Kaavya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Columbia University Press for the ARC. This was such a beautiful read. I really enjoyed Lakshmi and Tripod Dog Baba's characters. This story was extremely emotional, as we see the plight of animals such as elephants and dogs across India. I really enjoyed reading about Lakshmi's early life and the story's she hears from Alphonse and Tripod Dog Baba. This was quite heart warming but also there were humorous moments. I enjoyed how Indian philosophy and mythology was blended into the narrative. The writing style was also really beautiful. Overall this is a really touching book that I enjoyed reading and I am eager to read the author's other works.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Lakshmi’s Secret Diary by Ari Gautier is a first person POV Tamil Indian novel from the point of view of an elephant. Temple elephant Lakshmi wants to leave her life of captivity and live among the elephants that live in the wild. Along the way, she runs into the fantastical stories of several other animals and considers the caste system that all elephants are a part of.

I really suggest reading the translator’s afterword after finishing the book. There’s a lot of information on the history of France colonizing India, mythology, and discussing the traditions Gautier was working from. I learned a new word, ‘transcreation’, which is defined by translator Sheela Mahadevan as ‘a term that is frequently employed in the Indian context to describe the long-standing tradition of retelling and adapting Sanskrit mythology’ and, as suggested by G. Gopinathan, ‘as a rebirth or reincarnation (avatar) of the original work.’ I found this so interesting because it sounds a lot like ‘adaptation’ but has a specific nuance to it regarding Sanskrit mythology, so there are probably rules and ideas that are going to be unique to the transcreation movement and I would like to see more of it.

Of all of the animals’ stories, the two that were the most interesting were Veeran and his constant dance with the moon and a flying fish who wants to sit in the mouth of a kingfisher and see the world. Veeran’s story is tragic and romantic at the same time, constantly chasing his life as she waxes and wanes only for her to forget him because she is reborn every month. The flying fish paints a vivid picture of the world outside of his home and of what lies in Pondicherry. There’s yearning in both that ties back to Lakshmi’s own yearning for freedom to make her own choices.

Lakshmi is often more of a transcriber of the stories of others and mostly keeps her thoughts to herself unless she speaks to them, giving a feeling of the writing down of oral histories at times. Because Lakshmi is tied to the temple and the caste system, her viewpoint is somewhat limited, but she is not unaware of what is going on in the world around her. Tripod Dog Baba, in particular, does some highlighting of the worst parts of humanity in his story, especially in regards to how women are treated, linking the mythological aspects of the Mahabharata to the culture Lakshmi exists in.

I would recommend this to fans of adaptations of the Mahabharata and readers of contemporary and historical who like animal POVs

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The novel follows Lakshmi, a character whose life is a poignant exploration of fate and self-determination. Gautier’s narrative is unique in its perspective, often shifting to the viewpoints of animals, which adds a layer of depth and whimsy to the storytelling. This narrative choice not only enriches the plot but also serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all beings and the universal quest for freedom.

Lakshmi is a compelling protagonist whose journey is heart-wrenching yet inspiring. Her struggles and triumphs are depicted with a sensitivity that makes her story resonate deeply. The supporting characters, though seen through the lens of Lakshmi’s experiences, are well-crafted and contribute significantly to the novel’s thematic richness.

Gautier’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the essence of Pondicherry’s vibrant culture and history. His philosophical reflections are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, prompting readers to ponder profound questions about destiny and identity. The retellings of Sanskrit mythology are particularly engaging, offering a fresh perspective on ancient tales.

While the novel’s philosophical depth is one of its strengths, it can also be a double-edged sword. At times, the meditative passages may feel dense, potentially slowing the pace for readers who prefer a more straightforward narrative. However, those who appreciate a novel that challenges them to think deeply will find this aspect rewarding.

Lakshmi’s Secret Diary is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that stands out for its unique narrative style and profound themes. Ari Gautier has crafted a story that is both timeless and timely, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.

This book is a must-read for those who enjoy literary fiction that delves into the complexities of human existence.

Highly recommended for readers who appreciate philosophical fiction, retellings of mythology, and stories that explore deep social and personal themes. This novel will particularly appeal to those who enjoy a blend of lyrical prose and thought-provoking content.

[Pallavi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lakshmi's Secret Diary is a novel narrating the life and adventures of Lakshmi, a temple elephant. At the outset, the book opens with heavy social commentary explaining the 'varna system' amongst the elephants, obviously taking inspiration from the actual one. Though I found the premise & Lakshmi's conversations with herself fascinating in the beginning, it became repetitive down the lane, The sensitive thin line between explaining the historical conceptions of the way institutions came to be and the need to improve upon them was often sacrificed for a slight bashing of more than anything. To that end, the book got a bit too preachy for my taste.
Based in the jungles of Bandipur, Puducherry & the adjacent region, the author does a wonderful job of bringing the atmosphere to life. I could feel the bustling roads, the chaos of the markets & the vibrant going-ons of the temple. In a similar vein, Lakshmi's filmy adventures were fun to read about too. The author is obviously gifted with words and storytelling.
"Perhaps it was the friends we made along the way" emerges as a central theme which starts off amazing with the exaggerations of a three legged dog and a flying fish?! However, post the 50% mark, their arcs too dwindled and crashed (alongwith my interest in the book). The story sheds light on man-animal conflicts, human use and abuse of animals, It ventured into the philosophical imaginations from the point of view of an elephant, which I found interesting, to an extent too.
In sum, this book had immense potential but it sort of fell flat for me in the last quarter.

[Abigail Singrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both whimsical and philosophical, this book follows an elephant determined to find her freedom.

Lakshmi is born into the temple elephant caste. But when she's sent away to training school, an escaped elephant living nearby opens her eyes to a whole new world. Soon, she's sneaking out to a hidden refuge for escaped elephants and eating fermented fruit with him, debating between her expected life at a temple and the uncharted life that awaits her in the forest.

This book incorporates Sanskrit mythology and a Hindu worldview, with some characters reincarnating over the course of the book. It was an interesting introduction to a world I didn't know much about - historical India - through the unique perspective of an elephant.

Lakshmi likes to think about the meaning of life and her experience of it, and along the way she meets a cast of characters who do the same: Tripod Dog Baba, a guru dog in her temple; a flying fish called Alphonse who's a soul reborn; and Manmath, a warrior elephant who shares the story of the downfall of his people. Life can be hard and tragic for elephants and dogs in India, and this book doesn't shy away from that reality. At times passages can be painfully sad.

I found myself rooting so hard for happiness for Lakshmi and Tripod Dog Baba.

Trigger warnings: animal abuse, animal death

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had gone into this book thinking it was going to be about a temple elephant’s life but the majority really wasn’t. This book was mostly a series of parables or brief events in history. The quality of writing was still very high. I did enjoy reading each sub story. The animal personification of each issue was well matched. The author did a good job of blending historical events into each story that overtime characters had a new depth. The style of writing and the characters were very entertaining. What stopped me from really enjoying this book was the odd presentation of the messages.

I think the hardest part for me was the choice of presenting many human issues in animals. The elephants have castes, which, to my knowledge, was created for this book to represent human’s society. I just kept wondering why the author decided to have the characters be animals directly reflect human society instead of just having humans be the characters. The only sub story that I understood why the animal was an animal was in the dog story where the issues faced were distinctly from an animal. While the writing is fantastic and the messages were very potent, I feel like they didn’t deliver as effectively as they could’ve been.

I was provided this book for free in return for an honest review.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

This story is told from the point of view of an elephant named Lakshami and goes throughout her lifetime as a temple elephant, an wild elephant, a television elephant, and back to the start as a temple elephant. Along the way she meets a couple of other animals that become guiding figures in her story. One of which is Tripod dog baba, which part of the story is also his life story.

All in all, it was slow for me to get into at the beginning; however, it did ramp up quite quickly and became interesting. I did feel sad emotions throughout as I read the animal’s various stories. Disclaimer though, in my opinion, It did read in tone as young adult.

[Sonee Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written from the perspective of an elephant, Lakshmi, who lives in Pondicherry. It starts with Lakshmi giving a three-legged dog lessons in history, culture, religion, and elephant behavior. Nothing happens, which made it dry. Eventually we learn more about Lakshmi’s life and history and the elephant’s interactions in the world, and the story became more interesting. I understood the author wanted to shed light on the plight of animals and share the story of the part of India that was under French rule, which I appreciated. Even the later historical, cultural, religious, and other explanations were more naturally incorporated in the story. Overall, it’s a worthwhile read.

[Megz]

I would love to give this a better review, but I’ve struggled to finish Lakshmi. The premise is wonderful, and the themes, I think, probably prescient in a world where the struggle between camps for and against animal sentience is strong. But as much as I want to be invested, the pace of this novel is too trudging to progress. Perhaps it is the translation, or perhaps the writing style itself; either way, I couldn’t get into it. The large swathes of dialogue are too vague and inactive, the style a bit too much tell and too little show. Sorry, Lakshmi, I would’ve loved to know you better.

Thank you to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for this eARC.

[Rudrashree Makwana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book feels like reading a journal and It has been written at the time of French India set in Pondicherry. Author has explained the rituals, culture, culinary and splattered l light upon so many facts about history that we have forgotten. While the mystery of reincarnation was intriguing. There was a description of a three legged dog called Tripod Dog Baba. The writing is good. I feel no matter how good the translation is, it can’t capture the essence, depth and emotions of the original work. Overall the book was a good read.

Thanks to the Publisher

[Meenal]

5%

Offends sentiments of Hindus