4.5 Stars

My Trip to the Fair is more of a tribute to the Indian artisans, especially those from Andhra and Telangana. The book is special to me because I belong to the same region. The fair mentioned, Shilparamam is still one of the must-visit places in Hyderabad.

The book is true to the country without getting stereotypical. The use of Telugu words adds to the authenticity. I love the touch of wonder and nostalgia blended into the narrative and illustrations. The watercolors have a slightly watery or smudgy effect, as if the author is looking at her childhood with a blurry, teary-eyed vision. A sure way to make a fellow Telugu person emotional. Sigh!

The information at the end of the book is the real treasure. It shows a teeny glimpse into the vast artistic heritage we have in our country. While the tagline is slightly misleading about the range, I understand why it was used. Using a location-specific tagline will not have the same reach in the Western market.

The illustration of the amma in her kalamkari dupatta and bindi is my favorite. Love it.
To sum up, My Trip to the Fair is a heartwarming and informative book to get an idea about handicrafts from Andhra (Telangana included).

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Serapis Bey Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#MyTriptotheFair #NetGalley