துயில் (Thuyil) -S.Ramakrishanan

Thuyil is a celebration of pain and suffering.For me this book shown me the different views of suffering.I personally believe that this is not a novel but a collection of "life" stories.

I can divide the story into three parts :
1)Year 1982:Alagar and his family's journey to Thekkodu Mary's church (Thuyil tharu Madha)
 Alagar is  a mermaid showman.He disguises his wife Chinnarani as mermaid and earn money for his living.They have one daughter Selvi with a leg crippled.The author beautifully brings the life of ordinary people through these characters.Their fight for survival is expressed beautifully by S.Ra .

2)Year 1873:The story of missionary doctor Ellen Pover who reaches Thekkodu to do medical service to poor people through the church.She is very excited and eager to share her life with the village people.But she faces many obstacles before slowly gaining the trust of the villagers.Her letters to her Bishops explores her life.

3)The story of all the other pilgrims.

So many characters pops up and each has its own story to tell.The story of Nangaa,a young village girl, who like other girls wanted to get marry but  rejected by everyone because of her skin color and look.She gradually loses her mind and atlast takes her own life by hanging herself .A rude wake up call for all those who thinks "beauty is in skin " and tells the pathetic situation of so many real Nangaas in our society.

The portrayal of Kondalu akka is something we have heard many times , may be similar to Mother Teresa's life, atleast thats what i thought after finish reading the book.The end of the novel is something cinematic,Chinnarani kills the man who raped her, this is something we have seen in many Tamil movies.I felt the ending did not fit to the theme of the story.

The characterization of Ellen Pover was nice, she had a  typical missionary zeal but when faced with reality she was shocked but did not panic as she had a similar experience before. Initially she misunderstood the locals and the locals misunderstood her but slowly she gains their support.i did not like the circumstances which leads to her death.

This book was a slow read and at times it will make you to close it, as too much of suffering .This novel is definitely not the best of  S.Ramakrishnan. I have already bought two other books from the same author- உறுபசி and யாமம் . Im sure these two books will be better read.

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