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Silent Journeys: A Novel
What of the many travels undertaken through history by men and women, in war and peace, that have been unrecorded, invisible, and forgotten?
In Benyamin’s Silent Journeys, we trace the voyage of Mariamma, a young nurse from Kerala who travelled from her hometown in Manthalir all the way across the world. Nothing was known of her journey until many decades later, when a curious great grandson began his investigations only to stumble across a tale of great adventure, hardship, resilience, and love.
The novel reflects upon terrific stories of unaccompanied and courageous journeys that many valiant women, primarily nurses, have made through history, reaching the coldest places in the Arctic, Canada, remote tribal locations in the desert, the interiors of the dark continent, and almost everywhere in Europe
In Benyamin’s Silent Journeys, we trace the voyage of Mariamma, a young nurse from Kerala who travelled from her hometown in Manthalir all the way across the world. Nothing was known of her journey until many decades later, when a curious great grandson began his investigations only to stumble across a tale of great adventure, hardship, resilience, and love.
The novel reflects upon terrific stories of unaccompanied and courageous journeys that many valiant women, primarily nurses, have made through history, reaching the coldest places in the Arctic, Canada, remote tribal locations in the desert, the interiors of the dark continent, and almost everywhere in Europe
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Benyamin
56 books815 followersBenyamin (born 1971, Benny Daniel) is an Indian novelist and short story writer in Malayalam language from Nhettur, Kulanada, Pattanamtitta district of the south Indian state of Kerala. He is residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain since 1992, from the age of twenty, and his works appear regularly on Malayalam publications in Kerala.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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August 10, 2025
Silent Journeys by Benyamin brings together two powerful themes — the search for one’s ancestral roots and the world of nursing. In today’s world, even knowing our grandparents’ stories can feel rare, let alone uncovering the lives of ancestors from generations past. And when it comes to nursing, Kerala has long been known as a land that has sent countless nurses across the globe. This novel beautifully intertwines these two threads into a moving narrative.
The story follows Manu Reji, a 20-something engineering graduate from Kerala, who is aimless in life and content to pass his days with his girlfriend. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is hospitalized. In the ICU, the compassion of a young nurse, Maria John, opens his eyes to the dedication and selflessness of the nursing profession.
This hospital stay stirs a memory, a postcard he once found in his ancestral home from Mariamma Yohannan, his great-grandfather’s sister, who had worked as a nurse in Singapore and Borneo during World War II. Intrigued, Manu embarks on an obsessive quest to uncover her life story, how she became a nurse, her journey across countries, and the mystery surrounding her death.
With no digital records from that era, Manu must rely on scattered memories, old letters, and conversations with elders. His search takes him from his small village of Manthalir to far-off places in Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Through Mariamma’s story, Manu learns that she was a pioneer from her village, serving as a military nurse for the British during WWII during the Japanese occupation. Her courage and determination were driven by a desire to support her family — a quiet act of rebellion for a woman of her time.
Along the way, Manu also discovers similar stories of resilience in the lives of other women in his family, his grandaunt, aunt, mother, and sister, all of whom became nurses for personal and economic reasons, embracing the profession as both a livelihood and a service.
The novel sheds light on Kerala’s long, often overlooked history of women nurses who migrated abroad — not just to the Gulf, UK, or USA from the 1970s onwards, but even to Africa as far back as the 1940s. Their sacrifices, dedication, and dreams have uplifted families and inspired generations.
As the narration progresses, it becomes more than a search for an ancestor; it transforms into a journey of self-discovery, instilling in him pride, purpose, and a deep respect for the women who shaped his family’s legacy.
The prose is heartfelt, and it blends personal reflection, history, and mystery, leaving readers with lessons on sacrifice, dignity, and the enduring strength of ordinary lives lived with extraordinary courage.
Pick this up if you’re drawn to a beautifully told story that blends personal reflection with the lives and sacrifices of nurses, finding your roots, or if you want to lose yourself in something heartfelt and moving.
The story follows Manu Reji, a 20-something engineering graduate from Kerala, who is aimless in life and content to pass his days with his girlfriend. His life takes an unexpected turn when he is hospitalized. In the ICU, the compassion of a young nurse, Maria John, opens his eyes to the dedication and selflessness of the nursing profession.
This hospital stay stirs a memory, a postcard he once found in his ancestral home from Mariamma Yohannan, his great-grandfather’s sister, who had worked as a nurse in Singapore and Borneo during World War II. Intrigued, Manu embarks on an obsessive quest to uncover her life story, how she became a nurse, her journey across countries, and the mystery surrounding her death.
With no digital records from that era, Manu must rely on scattered memories, old letters, and conversations with elders. His search takes him from his small village of Manthalir to far-off places in Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Through Mariamma’s story, Manu learns that she was a pioneer from her village, serving as a military nurse for the British during WWII during the Japanese occupation. Her courage and determination were driven by a desire to support her family — a quiet act of rebellion for a woman of her time.
Along the way, Manu also discovers similar stories of resilience in the lives of other women in his family, his grandaunt, aunt, mother, and sister, all of whom became nurses for personal and economic reasons, embracing the profession as both a livelihood and a service.
The novel sheds light on Kerala’s long, often overlooked history of women nurses who migrated abroad — not just to the Gulf, UK, or USA from the 1970s onwards, but even to Africa as far back as the 1940s. Their sacrifices, dedication, and dreams have uplifted families and inspired generations.
As the narration progresses, it becomes more than a search for an ancestor; it transforms into a journey of self-discovery, instilling in him pride, purpose, and a deep respect for the women who shaped his family’s legacy.
The prose is heartfelt, and it blends personal reflection, history, and mystery, leaving readers with lessons on sacrifice, dignity, and the enduring strength of ordinary lives lived with extraordinary courage.
Pick this up if you’re drawn to a beautifully told story that blends personal reflection with the lives and sacrifices of nurses, finding your roots, or if you want to lose yourself in something heartfelt and moving.
September 1, 2025
The story of many women who struggled and ventured to new lands for their families. This book tries to bring to light the remarkable lives lived by many esp women which often remains in the dark and goes unnoticed.
This is the story of Mariamma , a nurse from Kerala who travelled to Singapore then Borneo in search of work, during world war II. Her story is seldom discussed and goes into oblivion except when her great grandson, Manu embarks on a journey to uncover her life. The unveiling of her life brings out the tale of resilience, gut and hardship.
The story beautifully brings to the plate the taste of Kerala and its culture. The family names, the locations etc transfers the reader to the state and provides the necessary authenticity to the story.
The story of Mariamma portrays several facets of her life. From the adversities back home to her struggle to take the long voyage, the longing for a home to love for her family, the story explores them all.
The interweaving of the modern and past timeline has been done seamlessly. The uncovering of different events of lives of the forebears by the grandson and the stories associated with other members of the family make the story emotional and sentimental.
The story also tries to shed light on the lives of women and nurses where they try to balance their personal life with their work. The migration to long distances, their silent sacrifices for their loved ones, the lack of understanding for their hardships etc all are portrayed through this story. The wide spectrum of the issues touched upon by the author proves the extensive research done by the author. The characters introduced in the story are impressive with detailed backstories adding to the width of the tale.
This is a well articulated and aptly translated capturing the essence of the region and the characters. This story focuses on women and their unacknowledged lives. Highly recommend.
This is the story of Mariamma , a nurse from Kerala who travelled to Singapore then Borneo in search of work, during world war II. Her story is seldom discussed and goes into oblivion except when her great grandson, Manu embarks on a journey to uncover her life. The unveiling of her life brings out the tale of resilience, gut and hardship.
The story beautifully brings to the plate the taste of Kerala and its culture. The family names, the locations etc transfers the reader to the state and provides the necessary authenticity to the story.
The story of Mariamma portrays several facets of her life. From the adversities back home to her struggle to take the long voyage, the longing for a home to love for her family, the story explores them all.
The interweaving of the modern and past timeline has been done seamlessly. The uncovering of different events of lives of the forebears by the grandson and the stories associated with other members of the family make the story emotional and sentimental.
The story also tries to shed light on the lives of women and nurses where they try to balance their personal life with their work. The migration to long distances, their silent sacrifices for their loved ones, the lack of understanding for their hardships etc all are portrayed through this story. The wide spectrum of the issues touched upon by the author proves the extensive research done by the author. The characters introduced in the story are impressive with detailed backstories adding to the width of the tale.
This is a well articulated and aptly translated capturing the essence of the region and the characters. This story focuses on women and their unacknowledged lives. Highly recommend.
August 29, 2025
I do not know how this book comes across in the Malayalam language, but I can say for sure that its translation into English was a truly moving read, recounting the arduous journey undertaken by women to support their families. It sheds light on how women have and will always be a pillar for their family, saving them from destitution, enabling the male members, among others.
The book focuses on Mariamma, but doesn't sideline the powerful narratives being outlined by the lives of yet other Malayali women who worked as nurses overseas. It recounts the lives of other women in our protagonist's life, namely, Gracy Aunty, Laly Aunty, Sherin, his mother, the young nurse Mariam, and Mariamma, of course, who started it all. It pays homage to this noble profession like no other, through a tale that makes one experience it for themselves, itching to find answers to ease our curiosity. I wished I could go there and take matters into my own hands to find something to satisfy my ever-growing need for answers.
The pacing is quite slow at the start and may take a while to adjust to it, and soon as one does so, it speeds up, making you hooked to the next chapter, the next finding, the new secrets unlocked, and you as a reader would wish to know more about this person Mariamma amachi; but just as suddenly the pace will drop, mimicking the disappointment coursing through the life of the protagonist, wishing for it all to end soon and as he would go back to his home, you would wish to finish the book and go lay on your bed thinking about it all. Then, just as suddenly it will hit you with a plot twist, and another adventure for our protagonist to on to.
The book focuses on Mariamma, but doesn't sideline the powerful narratives being outlined by the lives of yet other Malayali women who worked as nurses overseas. It recounts the lives of other women in our protagonist's life, namely, Gracy Aunty, Laly Aunty, Sherin, his mother, the young nurse Mariam, and Mariamma, of course, who started it all. It pays homage to this noble profession like no other, through a tale that makes one experience it for themselves, itching to find answers to ease our curiosity. I wished I could go there and take matters into my own hands to find something to satisfy my ever-growing need for answers.
The pacing is quite slow at the start and may take a while to adjust to it, and soon as one does so, it speeds up, making you hooked to the next chapter, the next finding, the new secrets unlocked, and you as a reader would wish to know more about this person Mariamma amachi; but just as suddenly the pace will drop, mimicking the disappointment coursing through the life of the protagonist, wishing for it all to end soon and as he would go back to his home, you would wish to finish the book and go lay on your bed thinking about it all. Then, just as suddenly it will hit you with a plot twist, and another adventure for our protagonist to on to.
January 12, 2026
Benyamin has this incredible way of finding the "extraordinary" in people we often overlook. In Silent Journeys, he takes the familiar figure of the Malayali nurse and turns her life into a globe-trotting epic. We follow Manu as he digs into the past of his great-grandmother, Mariamma. What he finds isn't just a family tree, but a map of a woman who was brave enough to leave home when the world was falling apart.
The story moves from the quiet backwaters of Kerala to the chaotic streets of Singapore during World War II. Mariamma didn't just work in hospitals; she survived bombings, navigated the wilds of Tanzania, and even faced the freezing winds of the Arctic. She was a pioneer who sent money home to build a future for everyone else while she stood on the front lines of history.
Reading this felt like listening to a long-lost family secret. It makes you realize that the nurses we see today are part of a long line of warriors who traded their comfort for our survival. It is a beautiful, deeply human tribute to the women who traveled the world in silence so their families could finally speak of success.
The story moves from the quiet backwaters of Kerala to the chaotic streets of Singapore during World War II. Mariamma didn't just work in hospitals; she survived bombings, navigated the wilds of Tanzania, and even faced the freezing winds of the Arctic. She was a pioneer who sent money home to build a future for everyone else while she stood on the front lines of history.
Reading this felt like listening to a long-lost family secret. It makes you realize that the nurses we see today are part of a long line of warriors who traded their comfort for our survival. It is a beautiful, deeply human tribute to the women who traveled the world in silence so their families could finally speak of success.
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August 17, 2025Benyamin’s Silent Journeys isn’t just a story — it feels like opening an old family chest and finding hidden treasures inside.
Manu, the protagonist, is a directionless youngster until a brief hospital stay makes him notice the quiet power of nurses. That small moment sends him chasing a century-old thread: the life of Mariamma, his ancestor who worked as a nurse during World War II.
What I loved most is how the search for Mariamma becomes so much more. It’s not just history; it’s about the courage of women who stepped into the unknown, whether in war-torn Asia or in everyday homes. Through Mariamma, Manu discovers not only the sacrifices of women in his family but also a purpose for himself.
Reading this, I learned so much about Kerala’s history of women nurses who migrated, even as far back as the 1940s. More than that, it felt like Manu’s search for Mariamma also became his journey to discover himself.
This book reminded me how the most “ordinary” lives often hold extraordinary strength. It left me with both pride and tenderness.
Manu, the protagonist, is a directionless youngster until a brief hospital stay makes him notice the quiet power of nurses. That small moment sends him chasing a century-old thread: the life of Mariamma, his ancestor who worked as a nurse during World War II.
What I loved most is how the search for Mariamma becomes so much more. It’s not just history; it’s about the courage of women who stepped into the unknown, whether in war-torn Asia or in everyday homes. Through Mariamma, Manu discovers not only the sacrifices of women in his family but also a purpose for himself.
Reading this, I learned so much about Kerala’s history of women nurses who migrated, even as far back as the 1940s. More than that, it felt like Manu’s search for Mariamma also became his journey to discover himself.
This book reminded me how the most “ordinary” lives often hold extraordinary strength. It left me with both pride and tenderness.
January 27, 2026
Translated from Malayalam by Dr. Anup Prathapam, The Silent Journeys is the unrecorded history of female courage and moral strength.
Originally titled Nishabd Sancharangal in Malayalam, it is written by Benyamin. The novel chronicles the history of our silent warriors. Moving between two timelines, on one side it follows Mariamma Yohanna, a Malayali nurse during the 1940s, and on the other hand, it follows her great-grandson Manu decades later as he pieces together her forgotten life through traces of history.
The translation is sensitive and fluid, and it preserves the emotional cadence of the original culture. It has a very powerful emotional impact without any melodrama. It holds space for family memory and generational inheritance.The book places nurses at the very center of the history, not as supporting figures but as the ones who held lives together during chaos.
Readers who enjoyed reflective, character-driven narratives will really enjoy this book.
Originally titled Nishabd Sancharangal in Malayalam, it is written by Benyamin. The novel chronicles the history of our silent warriors. Moving between two timelines, on one side it follows Mariamma Yohanna, a Malayali nurse during the 1940s, and on the other hand, it follows her great-grandson Manu decades later as he pieces together her forgotten life through traces of history.
The translation is sensitive and fluid, and it preserves the emotional cadence of the original culture. It has a very powerful emotional impact without any melodrama. It holds space for family memory and generational inheritance.The book places nurses at the very center of the history, not as supporting figures but as the ones who held lives together during chaos.
Readers who enjoyed reflective, character-driven narratives will really enjoy this book.
February 20, 2026
Silent Journeys, a novel by Benyamin, is the story of Mariamma, a Malayali nurse who went to Singapore in the 1940s to help her family financially, and later on she went to Tanzania, where she breathed her last. This story not only tells us about Mariamma and her struggle but also about many Malayali nurses who served in different parts of the world, whether it's Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, etc.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews