Maria, Just Maria

The novel "Maria Just Maria" is a captivating story that takes us deep into the life of Maria, a young woman from a Syrian Christian family in Kerala, who chooses silence as her response to the world around her. Written by Sandhya Mary and beautifully translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil, this book is a unique blend of humor, emotion, and insightful reflections on life.❤Just imagine having a dog that thinks deeply about life, or a great-aunt who forgets who she is. These are the kinds of friends Maria surrounds herself with.They're a bit strange, but they make Maria's world incredibly interesting and show us how she sees things.💛The novel cleverly shifts between Maria's present in a psychiatric hospital and her past memories. This approach of storytelling not only keeps us engaged but also makes us reflect on the nature of memory and identity.What makes this book stand out is its exploration of themes such as individuality, family dynamics, religion, and mental health, all done with a lightness of touch that includes humor and poignancy.💛 Maria challenges our views on normality and mental health, making us think more deeply about these concepts.The cultural backdrop of Kerala, with its traditions and landscapes, is vividly portrayed, adding authenticity to Maria's story.Maria's tale is special because it talks about big ideas like family, being true to yourself, and figuring out where you fit in, all in a way that's easy to understand and hard to forget.❤Her silence, her quirky companions, and her memories tell us a lot about life and how sometimes, being a little different is exactly what makes us special.❤This book is a beautifully simple yet deeply meaningful book. If you're curious about life in Kerala, enjoy stories about unique characters, or just love a good story that makes you think and feel, this book is definitely worth picking up.💛

“It's not a question of belief, Appacha. It's a question of belonging. It's about being with people we know, in a place we are familiar with. A place where we belong because of who we are, no matter what we do in our lives”. For Maria who thinks real life is boring and madness might add a bit of interest to it, does such a place exist in real life or is it only in dreams?Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil begins at a psychiatric hospital where Maria is being treated. From a sensitive, precocious & innocent child to an adult in 30s,struggling to live, Maria's journey unfolds in a non-linear fashion.Largely from Maria and her maternal grandfather's (Appachan) POV, through foibles of many characters here, the author holds a mirror to our world that cannot think beyond binaries, one that kneads, stretches and snips people to fit them into readymade moulds.A moving novel that leaves us with a question - can't this world be a little more inclusive?Rating - 4.5 stars

Sandhya MaryMaria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil is a crazy, intelligent and sensitive book that’s thought provoking with a humorous tone.Sandhya Mary’s protagonist Maria, is overindulged by her maternal grandparents at their ancestral home- Kottarathil Veedu, where she’s left by her parents at a very young age. Maria’s grandfather; her Appachan, is her favourite human, she also grows up around a loving grandmother, a grand aunt suffering from dementia and a pet dog who has the attitude and ego of an emperor. There are many other family members as characters who pop in and out of the story leaving traces of their quirks affecting Maria and the plot.Maria, lives in an alternating world of real and imaginary, mostly lacking belongingness and acceptance, living with a sense of abandonment and the time she takes to adjust to change in her social environment. The author writes about perspectives people develop for others’ eccentricity through her motley gang of characters who unnoticeably define their lives and the impact of their actions which clearly affect those around.Though non-linear, the plot flows seamlessly and subtly leaves the reader pondering the lack of humanity and acceptance even while living in a cohesive unit of a family. Immensely enjoyable and thoughtful this book is a must read for its nuances that are eminent even after translation.