• r e v i e w •

The Oracle of Karuthupuzha is a quirky novel with eccentric characters. Set in a fictional village named Karuthupuzha, Manu Bhattathiri introduces us to this fascinating culture of Kerala where people worship Chaathan. In other words, a demon-god. In the acknowledgements, he goes on to mention how he was inspired to write this story based on a woman who is said to be possessed now and then. Her name and that of the central character's in the novel is the same. Sarasu.

Karuthupuzha is a sleepy little village until the milkman Nareshan's daughter Sarasu is possessed. Some may say that her father Nareshan, the milkman has now found a clever way of making money. Word spreads fast and Sarasu is no longer a normal girl but is treated as a Goddess but all that she wants is to go to college and become a teacher. The author uses satire in portraying human nature, the greediness that men nurture and how easy it is to lure them in through superstition. But this story is not of Sarasu's alone as a variety of characters make an appearance quite often. This novel is a mix of humour, irony, practicality and at times even peculiarity. Life in a village isn't so simple after all.

Rating : 4/5.