Joseph J.
Thayamkeril, a lawyer by profession, gives a touching and enchanting account of
his early childhood, which he spent in the serene island village of Kumbalam.
This village is 6 Kms from the City of Cochin and is known for its scenic
beauty.
The keen
observation of the autobiographer as a child and his power of empathy and
sensitivity to people, events, nature and the world at large result in precise
and detailed description of various incidents and unforgettable portraits of
the people around.
A child in the
lap of Mother Nature delighting in all her colour, sounds, smells, trees,
streams, ponds, animals, birds and the backwaters, a child protected by the
caring and loving arms of Ammachi,
Appachan, grand parents, uncles and aunts and a child blessed with the
companionship of brothers, sisters and cousins – the reader gets to know all
these through the pages of his ‘Memoirs’.
The reader gets
a glimpse into an interesting sociological portrait of society; the reasons for
conversion of Hindus in this delta region into Muslim and Christian faith. The
Memoirs brings with it the sense of adventure, warm heartedness, friendliness
and sincerity and innocence of a child. It is narrated in a clear, lucid style.
PROF. SHAILAJA MANI, KOZHIKODE
( FIRST READER)