Andrews Viduthi

About the book

This book is a novel written by S Sujatha reflecting on her childhood, her life in an aided school's hostel at a small town in coastal Tamil Nadu. 35 years ago, a small girl was admitted to a hostel of a Christian institution far away from her home. She makes friends in the hostel and goes on building strength to the characters through their everyday conversations and happenings. The book is narrated through the eyes of Suja (she uses her own name) on how she sees a world of adolescents emerging from the hostel. The book captures the essence of working-class children, their aspirations, dreams and how their family and other situations deter them from achieving their dreams. It traces their paths through the dark corridors, dank restrooms and even a Cross that 'appears' to the eyes of a 'pious' girl.

The beauty of the novel is its simplicity and portrayal of young minds from one of the most backward areas of the State and how education was seen as the only way out for this bunch of motley girls. There are instances of breezy romance, elopement, intrigue, betrayal, drama, theft and whatnot - a knot that is sure to rivet one's attention. This novel is a window into a bygone era, told with all the freshness of a new writer. This is Sujatha's first fiction.

About the author

Sujatha S has been working as a journalist for the last 27 years. She writes about women and children and is fascinated by their worlds. She has introduced new genres in children's literature beyond fiction while she worked for erudite Tamil children's magazines like Thulir, Gokulam, Prodigy, Medhai, etc., She has mentored and guided many children's writers. She works at present as editor in charge of Hindu Tamil Thisai's children's supplement 'Maaya Bazaar'. She has written articles and books on biology, an online column 'Pen Manam' and articles titled 'Ulagai Maatriya Pengal'.