P Singaram

My best fiction read of 2020. It was published in the 1970s, just that I am discovering it now. It's a thrilling story of an India-born Tamil, spending time in Netaji Subhas' army, experience in living with Tamil diaspora in Indonesia/Malaya/Singapore, and also Madurai.

I was reminded of two things when I finished the book. The Tamil movie Chennai 600028 and the phrase "Pet the dog". First, like Chennai 600028, this novel is authentically irreverent. Many holy cows of Tamil culture are ridiculed in a delightfully hilarious manner. There were so many LOL moments in this fiction. Second, the screenwriters use the technique called "Pet the dog". Instead of writing in length about the context, you paint the picture by vividly describing the action. Singaram's writing is full of such images. The landscape of Madurai, Medan(Sumatra) , Penang, war, and seafaring comes live in his lucid writing.

If you can understand Tamil, but cannot read, I highly recommend Storytel's audiobook. It is a great novel that you shouldn't miss.… (plus d'informations)