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The Remnants of Rebellion: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 14 Jul 26- GenresFiction
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 14, 2026
70 people want to read
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December 30, 2025I have a weakness for family sagas, books set in Kerala, novels that mingle history and the personal, and this book is all of that. It follows a grieving thirty something artist Aleyamma (with the look of a 'starving artist') who has inherited her grandfather Eesho's Estate house in Puthaloor (red oxide floors, 15 rooms, rich wooden furniture, haunted by ghosts of its colonial owners, now converted to a homestay). Several incidents in history make an appearance including the Wagon tragedy, Mopplah rebellion, rise of Communism, Naxalite movement, caste oppresion, history of Syrian-Christian community. I enjoyed reading about the everyday in Kerala and how some things have shaped our culture—like Mohanlal's mundu, daily conversations, pseudo-liberalism.
Eesho was a plantation supervisor and the Estate house was built by a white man who came to hunt for gold. As we read the story that follows the two timelines of grandfather and granddaughter, along with many many minor characters, we get a picture of the community, the changing socio-political landscape and how one's past (perhaps the past that began long before one was born) catches up with the present. The setting is beautiful and lush, in rubber plantations, and there's food (like a mother hiding an extra egg under the rice for her favorite son) to keep you going.
Among things I did not love about the book are the portions when it feels like the book is trying too hard. Trying to explain in case we did not understand it completely, trying to add in some descriptors to seek our attention, trying to show us how important everything is. Some characters felt underdeveloped too. It took me a few chapters to get into the novel and become invested with the characters; the first few pages introducing the characters and the setting did not quite catch my attention, but once the stage is set, the author beautifully takes us through the story that she wanted to convey. I enjoyed the read as soon as there was more of 'showing' us the story.
Pick this up if you are interested in Kerala history and life in Christian communities in Kerala. It is a book about memory, loss, inheritance, belonging, violence, our turbulent past and family.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy. All opinions are my own
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Eesho was a plantation supervisor and the Estate house was built by a white man who came to hunt for gold. As we read the story that follows the two timelines of grandfather and granddaughter, along with many many minor characters, we get a picture of the community, the changing socio-political landscape and how one's past (perhaps the past that began long before one was born) catches up with the present. The setting is beautiful and lush, in rubber plantations, and there's food (like a mother hiding an extra egg under the rice for her favorite son) to keep you going.
Among things I did not love about the book are the portions when it feels like the book is trying too hard. Trying to explain in case we did not understand it completely, trying to add in some descriptors to seek our attention, trying to show us how important everything is. Some characters felt underdeveloped too. It took me a few chapters to get into the novel and become invested with the characters; the first few pages introducing the characters and the setting did not quite catch my attention, but once the stage is set, the author beautifully takes us through the story that she wanted to convey. I enjoyed the read as soon as there was more of 'showing' us the story.
Pick this up if you are interested in Kerala history and life in Christian communities in Kerala. It is a book about memory, loss, inheritance, belonging, violence, our turbulent past and family.
Thank you to the publisher for a review copy. All opinions are my own
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August 1, 2025
Aleyamma walks into her grandfather’s bungalow carrying grief like a second skin. The house, perched on a hill in Puthuloor, doesn’t just hold memories—it breathes them. The walls whisper of British colonizers, rubber plantations, and blood spilled during the Naxalite uprisings. This isn’t just a story about inheriting property; it’s about inheriting ghosts.
Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew doesn’t give you a neat, packaged history lesson. She throws you into the sticky heat of Kerala’s plantations, where the past isn’t something you read about—it’s something that follows you home. Young Eesho’s arrival as a supervisor decades ago should’ve been the start of something good. Instead, it unravels into something brutal. Workers rise against owners, politics turns violent, and loyalties snap like dry twigs. Now Aleyamma, cut off from her Syrian Christian family, has to face what her grandfather left behind—not just the house, but the weight of its secrets.
What works here is how Mathew makes history personal. This isn’t a textbook rebellion; it’s about how upheaval twists ordinary lives. Eesho’s choices, the workers’ rage, Aleyamma’s loneliness—they all tangle together until you can’t tell where one pain ends and another begins. The writing doesn’t flinch. When locals talk about murders in the bungalow, you feel the chill. When Aleyamma digs deeper, you’re right there with her, half-afraid of what she’ll find.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that some threads could’ve been pulled tighter. A few characters come in strong but fade too soon. Still, that’s a small gripe for a book that does so much right. By the end, you’re left wondering: Can you ever really outrun the past? Or do we all just live in the wreckage of what came before?
The Remnants of Rebellion doesn’t offer easy answers. But it asks the right questions—and that’s what sticks with you long after the last page.
Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew doesn’t give you a neat, packaged history lesson. She throws you into the sticky heat of Kerala’s plantations, where the past isn’t something you read about—it’s something that follows you home. Young Eesho’s arrival as a supervisor decades ago should’ve been the start of something good. Instead, it unravels into something brutal. Workers rise against owners, politics turns violent, and loyalties snap like dry twigs. Now Aleyamma, cut off from her Syrian Christian family, has to face what her grandfather left behind—not just the house, but the weight of its secrets.
What works here is how Mathew makes history personal. This isn’t a textbook rebellion; it’s about how upheaval twists ordinary lives. Eesho’s choices, the workers’ rage, Aleyamma’s loneliness—they all tangle together until you can’t tell where one pain ends and another begins. The writing doesn’t flinch. When locals talk about murders in the bungalow, you feel the chill. When Aleyamma digs deeper, you’re right there with her, half-afraid of what she’ll find.
If there’s a weakness, it’s that some threads could’ve been pulled tighter. A few characters come in strong but fade too soon. Still, that’s a small gripe for a book that does so much right. By the end, you’re left wondering: Can you ever really outrun the past? Or do we all just live in the wreckage of what came before?
The Remnants of Rebellion doesn’t offer easy answers. But it asks the right questions—and that’s what sticks with you long after the last page.
October 9, 2025
This book is magnificent for a debut. It is richly layered with history, culture and the politics behind it.
The book opens with Aleyamma attending her grandfather's funeral where his will is being read to her, she is bestowed with the estate house in the hills of Kerala as a gift which is now a homestay.
The narrative is quite compelling as human as possible, it shifts back and forth from Aleyamma to Eesho quite delicately setting the narratives for both the main characters and their struggles throughout life. A lot of their history and the family secrets are to be unveiled in front of Aleyamma.
There is a vivid portrayal of Kerala back then in Eesho's time and of Kerala presently. The author very eloquently puts forward the history, the political upheavals, the changing affinities, the rise of social unrest, the rebellion and the remnants of it.
The book is also about love, loss and grief. The history repeating itself through generations, same-same but different altogether. The fragility of human connections, emotions, emotional void and suffering.
I loved certain points put through symbolically like the death of Casabianca representing the death of Aleyamma and Roy's relationship, the tempest and the falling of an old mango tree, the sowing of the new mango sapling, these little quirks enhanced the flavour of the book and gave it a certain depth.
I absolutely loved this book. Appacha and Aleyamma shall remain with me for a very long time along with Duke, Krishnan and Elsy.
PS: Please read this book. It's melancholy, nostalgia and blissfulness all wrapped in one.
The book opens with Aleyamma attending her grandfather's funeral where his will is being read to her, she is bestowed with the estate house in the hills of Kerala as a gift which is now a homestay.
The narrative is quite compelling as human as possible, it shifts back and forth from Aleyamma to Eesho quite delicately setting the narratives for both the main characters and their struggles throughout life. A lot of their history and the family secrets are to be unveiled in front of Aleyamma.
There is a vivid portrayal of Kerala back then in Eesho's time and of Kerala presently. The author very eloquently puts forward the history, the political upheavals, the changing affinities, the rise of social unrest, the rebellion and the remnants of it.
The book is also about love, loss and grief. The history repeating itself through generations, same-same but different altogether. The fragility of human connections, emotions, emotional void and suffering.
I loved certain points put through symbolically like the death of Casabianca representing the death of Aleyamma and Roy's relationship, the tempest and the falling of an old mango tree, the sowing of the new mango sapling, these little quirks enhanced the flavour of the book and gave it a certain depth.
I absolutely loved this book. Appacha and Aleyamma shall remain with me for a very long time along with Duke, Krishnan and Elsy.
PS: Please read this book. It's melancholy, nostalgia and blissfulness all wrapped in one.
September 18, 2025
I have always been drawn to stories where houses hold memories, where walls are silent witnesses. The Remnants of Rebellion by Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew is exactly that kind of novel: haunting and layered.
Set in Kerala’s rubber plantations, the story moves between Aleyamma, a grieving young artist, and her grandfather Eesho, once a plantation supervisor caught in the turbulence of colonial residues and the rising Naxalite movement. Their lives, decades apart, intersect through the bungalow they both inhabit, a house heavy with secrets, violence, and memory.
Mathew writes with an eye attuned to both tenderness and tension. She captures the contradictions of Kerala, its lush beauty shadowed by inequity, its warmth fractured by silence and estrangement. At its heart, the novel is as much about fractured families as it is about fractured legacies, and how silence can be its own kind of rebellion.
The narrative lingers on the thin line between remembering and forgetting, between carrying the past and trying to break free from it. That’s what makes it both political and deeply intimate.
Set in Kerala’s rubber plantations, the story moves between Aleyamma, a grieving young artist, and her grandfather Eesho, once a plantation supervisor caught in the turbulence of colonial residues and the rising Naxalite movement. Their lives, decades apart, intersect through the bungalow they both inhabit, a house heavy with secrets, violence, and memory.
Mathew writes with an eye attuned to both tenderness and tension. She captures the contradictions of Kerala, its lush beauty shadowed by inequity, its warmth fractured by silence and estrangement. At its heart, the novel is as much about fractured families as it is about fractured legacies, and how silence can be its own kind of rebellion.
The narrative lingers on the thin line between remembering and forgetting, between carrying the past and trying to break free from it. That’s what makes it both political and deeply intimate.
August 1, 2025
The Remnants of Rebellion opens with Aleyamma coming home to her grandfather, Eesho’s house which she has inherited after his death. Eesho, leaves his granddaughter not just a house but a legacy rich with history and rife with secrets. A house whose history she knows nothing about.
The reader is ping-ponged between the present—Aleyamma’s story, and the past—Eesho’s life. The writer has managed to maintain a good balance of how much and when to reveal, often thrusting the reader into the past just when something interesting takes place in the present, and effortlessly yanking the reader back to the present when completely submerged in the past.
From the opening scene, the reader is hooked, the writer’s command of the language is excellent and the clever plot effectively keeps the reader rooted in his place. The reader is drawn in with skillfully crafted words and a story that will keep one turning the pages eagerly, uncaring about the passage of time. One moment the reader would burst out laughing, thanks to the many witty remarks and depictions (often of some of the characters), and the very next, the brow would crease, disturbed by the grimness of the scenes, of unfairness doled out to the downtrodden and marginalized. There are eye-misting moments that would make the reader pause for a breath, forcing one to do some soul-searching of one’s own. And then, there are moments when one is filled with shock and ire, unable to fathom that there was once a time, not too long ago, when society was divided into various factions and people were judged harshly for everything including religion, political inclinations, and even skin colour. The story talks not just about personal struggles but societal and political, too. And how rebellion is not just an external show of struggle, often paired with violence but an internal battle, too, of emotions and feelings one cannot comprehend.
The story is fast-paced, leaving the reader breathless with anticipation, knowing that the end is drawing near, both fearing it, and yet, thankful for it, too. For, the conclusion is a mysterious puzzle one cannot guess at. The closing chapter brims with emotion, scenes that would leave the reader heaving, suppressing tears and yet, relieved that the end is near. The immersive plot’s conclusion ties up all the loose ends, leaving one misty eyed while at the same time, easing the lips into a satisfied smile that would remain wreathed on one’s lips long after the last page has been turned and the book, closed.
The reader is ping-ponged between the present—Aleyamma’s story, and the past—Eesho’s life. The writer has managed to maintain a good balance of how much and when to reveal, often thrusting the reader into the past just when something interesting takes place in the present, and effortlessly yanking the reader back to the present when completely submerged in the past.
From the opening scene, the reader is hooked, the writer’s command of the language is excellent and the clever plot effectively keeps the reader rooted in his place. The reader is drawn in with skillfully crafted words and a story that will keep one turning the pages eagerly, uncaring about the passage of time. One moment the reader would burst out laughing, thanks to the many witty remarks and depictions (often of some of the characters), and the very next, the brow would crease, disturbed by the grimness of the scenes, of unfairness doled out to the downtrodden and marginalized. There are eye-misting moments that would make the reader pause for a breath, forcing one to do some soul-searching of one’s own. And then, there are moments when one is filled with shock and ire, unable to fathom that there was once a time, not too long ago, when society was divided into various factions and people were judged harshly for everything including religion, political inclinations, and even skin colour. The story talks not just about personal struggles but societal and political, too. And how rebellion is not just an external show of struggle, often paired with violence but an internal battle, too, of emotions and feelings one cannot comprehend.
The story is fast-paced, leaving the reader breathless with anticipation, knowing that the end is drawing near, both fearing it, and yet, thankful for it, too. For, the conclusion is a mysterious puzzle one cannot guess at. The closing chapter brims with emotion, scenes that would leave the reader heaving, suppressing tears and yet, relieved that the end is near. The immersive plot’s conclusion ties up all the loose ends, leaving one misty eyed while at the same time, easing the lips into a satisfied smile that would remain wreathed on one’s lips long after the last page has been turned and the book, closed.
August 21, 2025
Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew’s debut novel, "The Remnants of Rebellion," is a haunting exploration of history, grief, and identity set against the lush backdrop of Kerala's rubber plantations. The story centers around Aleyamma👩🎨, a troubled young artist who returns to her ancestral home in Puthuloor, Kerala, after the death of her grandfather, Eesho. This ancestral home🏚️, steeped in the scars of colonial violence and local folklore, serves as a powerful symbol of the burdens of the past.
As Aleyamma arrives with her luggage from Chennai, she is immediately enveloped by the weight of her grandfather’s legacy and the whispers of the bungalow's dark history. The narrative deftly shifts between Aleyamma's present struggles and Eesho's past, revealing the socio-political turmoil that defined his life.
Author Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew's prose is rich and evocative, painting vivid images of the Kerala landscape while delving into the psychological depth of her characters. Aleyamma's journey to confront her family’s tumultuous history resonates with anyone grappling with the legacies of their own past. The novel raises poignant questions about belonging, identity, and the search for personal strength amid chaos.
Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew articulates the pain of estrangement from Aleyamma’s Syrian Christian✝️ family, adding depth to her quest for identity. "The Remnants of Rebellion" is a captivating narrative that transcends generations, capturing the essence of resilience in the face of pervasive darkness. Highly recommended for those who appreciate literature that blends history with intimate, personal narratives💙✨
As Aleyamma arrives with her luggage from Chennai, she is immediately enveloped by the weight of her grandfather’s legacy and the whispers of the bungalow's dark history. The narrative deftly shifts between Aleyamma's present struggles and Eesho's past, revealing the socio-political turmoil that defined his life.
Author Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew's prose is rich and evocative, painting vivid images of the Kerala landscape while delving into the psychological depth of her characters. Aleyamma's journey to confront her family’s tumultuous history resonates with anyone grappling with the legacies of their own past. The novel raises poignant questions about belonging, identity, and the search for personal strength amid chaos.
Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew articulates the pain of estrangement from Aleyamma’s Syrian Christian✝️ family, adding depth to her quest for identity. "The Remnants of Rebellion" is a captivating narrative that transcends generations, capturing the essence of resilience in the face of pervasive darkness. Highly recommended for those who appreciate literature that blends history with intimate, personal narratives💙✨
July 30, 2025
I found The Remnants of Rebellion to be a richly layered and emotionally resonant read. The setting—Kerala’s rubber plantations—is evocatively described, and I could almost feel the dense, green air of Puthuloor wrap around the characters. The plot skilfully weaves personal grief with political unrest, making the narrative both intimate and historically grounded. I appreciated how the story spans three generations, giving it a sense of depth and continuity.
The writing style is lyrical without being overwrought, which worked well for the themes of memory and loss. However, at times, I felt that the pace faltered, especially when transitioning between timelines. A few characters, particularly from the present, could have been more fleshed out—they occasionally felt like vessels for the plot rather than fully formed individuals. That said, Aleyamma’s emotional turmoil felt authentic, and her journey of reconciliation was genuinely compelling.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
The writing style is lyrical without being overwrought, which worked well for the themes of memory and loss. However, at times, I felt that the pace faltered, especially when transitioning between timelines. A few characters, particularly from the present, could have been more fleshed out—they occasionally felt like vessels for the plot rather than fully formed individuals. That said, Aleyamma’s emotional turmoil felt authentic, and her journey of reconciliation was genuinely compelling.
Read the full review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
November 13, 2025
The Remnants of Rebellion is a powerful, emotionally charged novel that explores what happens after the revolution-when the dust settles, but the scars remain. @ponnu_elizabeth_m writes with clarity and heart, capturing the quiet, complicated aftermath of rebellion through the eyes of a protagonist who is still trying to make sense of what was lost and what was worth fighting for.
The story is rich with emotion: grief, rage, love, and resilience.
The characters are fully human-flawed, hurting, but trying. The book doesn't romanticize rebellion; instead, shows the cost of it, especially for those who are left behind. The writing is lyrical without losing its edge, full of vivid imagery and honest reflection.
This book reads like a confessional-raw, vulnerable, and true.
If you've ever felt like the world changed and left you behind, this novel will speak to you. It's not just about rebellion—it's about healing.
The story is rich with emotion: grief, rage, love, and resilience.
The characters are fully human-flawed, hurting, but trying. The book doesn't romanticize rebellion; instead, shows the cost of it, especially for those who are left behind. The writing is lyrical without losing its edge, full of vivid imagery and honest reflection.
This book reads like a confessional-raw, vulnerable, and true.
If you've ever felt like the world changed and left you behind, this novel will speak to you. It's not just about rebellion—it's about healing.
August 23, 2025
This dazzling first novel of Ponnu is a very captivating social and family drama unfolded in a Syrian Christian Marthoma family,narrated back from the erstwhile Travancore, Cochin and Malabar colonial time.
We can see complex themes such as love, family, caste system, social hierarchy,highlighting the remnants of rebellions within and without.
Ponnu's characters such as Aleyamma, Appacha, Amma, Georgekutty, Achenkunju Uppappan, Philipose Achan , are all very typical from a Syrian Christian family in Kerala.
Ponnu's writing style is evocative and vivid capturing the essence of Kerala's landscape, cultural fabrics and class devides and weaves the complexities of human emotions and colonial residue.
This novel will be a good read sparking discussions on issues of caste,gender, social and trade union issues. It will likely stay with you long after reading.
We can see complex themes such as love, family, caste system, social hierarchy,highlighting the remnants of rebellions within and without.
Ponnu's characters such as Aleyamma, Appacha, Amma, Georgekutty, Achenkunju Uppappan, Philipose Achan , are all very typical from a Syrian Christian family in Kerala.
Ponnu's writing style is evocative and vivid capturing the essence of Kerala's landscape, cultural fabrics and class devides and weaves the complexities of human emotions and colonial residue.
This novel will be a good read sparking discussions on issues of caste,gender, social and trade union issues. It will likely stay with you long after reading.
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