Book Review: Plentiful Springs
Dear Diary,
It has been a while since I last wrote to you. I dedicate my journals to my writings, and my most recent review was of Anne Frank’s diary, arguably the most famous diary ever written. Unlike other forms of writing, a fictional diary presents monologues in a letter format, which fosters a deeper connection between the unique diary and its author. Therefore, I think it would be interesting to write this review in a diary format. I hope this goes well!
Love.
Oct 3, 2024
Ashok was surprised that his review, “Fountainhead: A Review,” was selling better than he had expected. He typically doesn’t market his reviews, but he has developed a fan base that includes a readers’ club called Book Gobblers. He has received books from various places, including Israel, Palestine, the US, and now Dubai, seeking reviews. This origin of books is an interesting story in itself.
Dear Diary,
A stranger called Anjali messaged me out of the blue. I wished her well. Here is how the chat went.
Anjaly: Say, what type of books do you review
Ashok: Mostly fiction and poetry
Anjaly: How does one get it done 😀. I’d like to have mine reviewed. How do I get my book reviewed by you :-) Here is the Amazon link and some reviews. Perhaps that would give you an idea of the kind of book it is and whether you’d want to review it. If so, I will have a book sent across.
Ashok: I will do it for free. I prefer physical copies.
We exchanged phone numbers and addresses so Anjaly could send me the book. It is an exciting project — my review footprint now includes Dubai.
Love.
Oct 3 to 16, 2024
Anjaly and Ashok continued their conversation on WhatsApp, primarily focused on getting the book into his hands. They also discussed her thoughts on it. She asked whether the review would be posted on his website and Amazon. He replied that he could share it on his Instagram, Amazon, LinkedIn, and Goodreads. She mentioned that her book was traditionally published. Meanwhile, she was in the process of paying for the book he ordered on Amazon.
Then Cyclone Fengal approached Chennai, lingering for two days as if waiting to see how the conversation unfolded, teasing both. Amazon had sent a message to Ashok indicating that the delivery would occur on the 18th due to the inclement weather. As the cyclone passed, battering the city with sheets of rain, Ashok stayed indoors, eagerly awaiting the book while reading “The Good Earth” by Nobel Prize winner Pearl S. Buck.
Oct 18, 2024
Dear Diary,
Holding a freshly printed book in my hands is always so exciting. I asked my son, Anirudh Narayanan.A to take a picture of me holding the book.
I always pose and smile awkwardly, don’t you think? I shared this picture with Anjaly, and she wished me ‘happy reading.’ It feels good to stay in touch with the author.
I asked her if she had read the ‘famous diary.’ She replied that she had written the story she wanted. She also mentioned that she would be out of touch because she would be trekking in the Himalayas. I wish her safety and send my best wishes.
My two cents: I suspect there’s a lot of Anjaly in that book. Let’s see!
Love.
Nov 3, 2024
That night it rained heavily. Another depression brought another thunderstorm to the forever summer-soaked Chennai. Ashok paced around his home, looking for something new to do. He had just finished ‘The Good Earth’, but the review would wait. Since he had set a high bar with his ‘The Fountainhead — A Review’, it became tougher to emulate the magnum opus. He needed something to focus on, something to read. He remembered the new book out of the large stockpile of his unread books. He opened and smelt the fresh pages. The sensory assault of the fresh paper drowned his mind like a vaping effect, and slowly the book became part of him.
He looked at the cover and smiled.
Dear Diary,
I caress the cover of ‘Plentiful Springs’. I feel the light reflecting on its glazing cover and feel its smoothness. The picture of an old Indian postbox told half the story. Letters, diaries, narration — I can see the italics and straight fonts. The wall with peeled paint and cracks tells the vulnerability and fragments of the soul inside. My take: This is so NOT Anne Frank.
Love.
Nov 18, 2024
He looked around. His family was all asleep. The rocking of the train and the snores of his deep-sleeping relatives made him ponder how life transformed after dinner. The rhythmic snores and gentle shakes of the train wouldn’t bother him; he had the whole night to himself. He switched on the light, smiled, and opened the book he had carefully tucked under his pillow.
Dear Diary,
Here I go into the book.
Siana. The protagonist. A simple 6-year-old girl with two brothers, Jim and Mac. Her mother is from the North, and her father is a civil engineer, ex-Africa, desperate to lead the life of a successful agriculturalist.
She is a nature lover and natural writer. Her writing skills add to the charm of this diary format. While sitting on the shores, her dreamy journeys into the horizon are so relatable. She loves her gardens and nature and loves people.
I observe this: Her friends — Panna and Massu write to her, and Siana writes to the diary. Then, there is the narration. Her childhood friends share everything, and present back her stories to us, the readers. Consider that as a dialogue. Then it all falls into place.
The diary is the internal dialogue. Siana pours her heart out — her ambitions, fears, insecurities, vulnerabilities — we see the person inside the person. The letters bring out her social interaction, but from a second-person perspective, as the letters are written to her. The narration, often in straight fonts, propels the story forward. The three-perspective storytelling is unique, and a first for me as a reader.
I feel proud that I have cracked the code of the writing style. Now let me read the story and share more on the plots and characters, and of course, the story itself.
Love.
He set the alarm clock at 4 a.m. but still read a bit before falling asleep.
Nov 20, 2024
He walked through the long corridors and complex maze of the Hill Palace of Tripanithura. He was in Kerala, where Siana had been almost three decades ago. He remembered her childhood story there as he read first few pages.
Dear Diary,
Siana is a young girl who loves her mother dearly. Her brothers, Jim and Mac, are away at boarding school. Siana’s mother does her best to manage the household while also supporting her husband. However, her father is temperamental and insecure, often directing his frustrations towards her mother. Siana empathizes with her mother and hopes for a better life for her.
As we know now, her friends write to her. I feel that Siana is an introvert but yearns for and loves human contact. The friends share secrets and feelings. They comment on habits, teachers, and boys. I can hear their giggles. I wonder how many secrets those little hearts hold.
Small towns and villages far away from the main world, connected by radio and newspapers and then television; ‘affordable trends’, books and movies that the girls aspire to, and the ground realities of parental prejudices that shape their childhood—all are packed into the first one-third of the book.
The world splits when they go to secondary grade — and when Siana’s father decides to move from Ulluru to Kerala. Her transfer results in Panna and Mashu go separate ways. They keep writing letters, and the narrative form continues.
I won’t burden you with the details about Siana’s friends. She enrolls in law school in Mangalore, only to find that law is not where her passion lies. Although she has a talent for being a lawyer, her heart is truly drawn to writing. Her poetry captures the attention of her English lecturer, leading her to take the helm of the law college’s literary magazine.
Then enter the boys. First, there’s Tony, who is physically present but fails to make an impression. In contrast, Frankie, who lives in Trivandrum, steals her heart through his heartfelt letters, despite the distance. His visit leaves her enchanted, but their long-distance connection doesn’t blossom into genuine love. Reflecting, these moments are simply ‘passing clouds’ in her vibrant youth.
Her early career included copy editing, followed by work at ‘Vijay Times,’ a small magazine, and then at the New Indian Express. During this time, her writing flourished, but the demands of her work began to take a toll on her mental health. She experienced depression and bouts of anxiety. Her attempts at forming relationships often ended in disappointment, as the men she encountered failed to understand her and did not fulfill her desire for genuine companionship. For her, marriage became a misnomer, as she preferred to follow her heart’s inclinations. However, her travels to Yercaud and Delhi proved beneficial, helping her heal and gradually opening her up to a second love, in addition to writing.
I am pausing her to add my comments, but that is for another day.
Love.
Nov 23, 2024
As soon as he boarded the train from Cochin to Chennai at 10 PM, he realized he would only have a little time to read. It had been a long day, as his family had spent the afternoon exploring Vasco Da Gama Square and walking along the 4 km promenade. The last day of their four-day trip had been exhausting. Once his family fell asleep, he opened his book to read a bit.
He was nearly two-thirds of the way through the book, where the story focused on Siana’s decision to move to Dubai. However, his mind kept drifting back to the first 224 pages. He couldn’t help but reflect on the parallels to his journey; he had graduated with a degree in engineering around the same time that Siana completed law school.
Dear Diary,
As she transitions from college to her career, even childhood friends tend to grow apart and fade away. The fleeting nature of friendships and relationships during late teens and early twenties is truly fascinating. Is loving someone really such a difficult thing?
I experienced love at first sight. Siana is a unique person. She tries to be honest in her relationships, but eventually, the cracks begin to show. She often finds herself disappointed and heartbroken, and in some cases, she returns the favor. At this age, you cherish the little victories.
For instance, Siana had the opportunity to travel to Yercaud and Pondicherry, while I backpacked my way from Calcutta to Cuttack and Balasore. I remember those wild times in IIMC when I smoked weed, justifying it by saying it was vegetarian. You might laugh, but those moments were exhilarating, like being on a rollercoaster ride.
Siana has experienced a wide range of emotions, from joy to sorrow and from ecstasy to heartbreak. She carries her problems with her, and her sensitive and fragile mind often struggles under the weight. I can only wish her well as she prepares for her journey to Dubai.
Love.
Dec 9, 2024
Ashok was eagerly anticipating the Dubai trip. He packed “Plentiful Springs” in his laptop case so he could read more during the journey. Normally, he would be focused solely on work, but this time, he was excited about his role as a book reviewer and looking forward to meeting the creator of Siana, which he had neatly scheduled into his itinerary.
Dear Diary,
As I land at Dubai Airport, I realize this trip feels different. I’m carrying a book, and the character Siana resonates with me — I almost expect to meet her at the airport. It sounds strange, right? When I asked the author about it, she assured me that it is not a memoir, and I understand her perspective. However, Siana feels like Anjaly to me. While there are elements of fiction mixed in, I’m convinced that I will encounter Siana, whether at the airport or in a coffee shop.
I believe the creator and their creation are intertwined. It’s difficult to deny that as an author, I draw inspiration from my own life. So, that’s where I stand. I won’t ask Siana the question in my mind, as I already know the answer.
Let’s dive into the Dubai chapter of the story. Siana arrives in Dubai with just a backpack, feeling as if she has been granted wings, and is finally able to let go of her roots. With a sense of freedom in her feet, she dances through the city’s high rises and navigates the conferences related to her new job. She enjoys her journalism routine, working from 9 AM to 2 PM, attending evening conferences, and engaging in casual flirts and flings.
However, her heart breaks this time for real. Her love for Roy is deep and deeply invested, but it turns out unrequited. Oh, how I can relate to that — just read my book, *Poetarrati Volume 2, Angel: The Unrequited Love*, and you’ll see why. Siana channels her feelings for Roy into poetry in her sadness, publishing her verses under the title *For You*.
I identify with one more trait of Siana: we both run on coffee. My preferred brew is Cafe Americano.
Her struggles with her jobs take a backseat as she rediscovers herself. Her fresh connection with Frankie ends in heartbreak, and her whirlwind fling with Rupesh Iyer wounds her even more — he seeks to “fix” women, which leaves behind a trail of emotional pain. To escape this turmoil, she turns to travel.
However, I will share more about that when I return to India. A new chapter in the story is beginning, and work is calling me here. I wish Siana a settled life in Dubai, knowing I might soon meet her maker. Yet, I find myself in a place where I realize she is not where I want her to be, and I am about to encounter someone stable now in Dubai — I am going to meet Anjaly. The future of their story may be different from this point onward.
Let us wait.
Love.
Dec 14, 2024
Ashok returned from an investor meeting in Shangri-la. His partner decided to go for a swim. Ashok looked at his watch, it was about 3:30 pm. Anjaly had texted him earlier saying that they would meet in Burjuman Mall, close to where Ashok stayed. He walked to the mall.
He got a text from Anjaly that she was waiting in the Caribou Coffee shop. He could see Anjaly and her husband, as she waved at him from inside the cafe.
Dear Diary,
There she was — the creator of Siana — dressed in blue casuals. After exchanging greetings, she asked for my order. I requested a Café Americano, and she kindly obliged.
While she was at the counter, I chatted with Nitin. Nitin has been living in Dubai for three decades and has made a fortune in the pickup export business. He loves traveling, a passion he shares with Anjaly. They seemed like a happy couple: she, the cheerful and demanding girl, and he, the accommodating husband.
One thing Nitin said stood out to me:
“Life is about living. There is nothing bad in life. Everything that is meant to happen is happening. You better get on the bus of your life.”
Nitin listened as I shared a brief overview of my journey. Anjaly called for our attention and said it was time for the ritual. I took out my book and handed it to her. She seemed a bit awkward about writing a message from the author and mentioned that she would move to another table to sign it. Meanwhile, the men and I engaged in conversation as if we had known each other for quite some time.
A question kept running through my mind: Will Siana end up like this — happy and settled, yet still exploring new places and traveling? I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see, as I mentioned earlier.
I am sharing the lovely pictures of her message, the author’s signature, and the signed pages above, for now.
This is a story within a story, right? We have to wait and see what happens to Siana. I can’t wait.
Love
Dec 21, 2024
Ashok was back at work, hurriedly trying to meet year-end goals. Work constantly consumed his time and energy. However, the final task intrigued him, prompting a quick read. He finally settled down as the chaos from the Dubai trip began to fade away in the relaxed atmosphere of New Year’s Eve.
Dear Diary,
Africa — the land of our origin. It is where Siana’s father found success and where Siana was fascinated by her friends, like Vivienne. This is the primitive and original land of lions and elephants, home to Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Sahara. It is a place where Siana left everything behind to take yet another flight away from humanity.
She struggles with her fitness and envies the young, barefoot climbers as she huffs and puffs her way to the peak. She particularly enjoys the company of her local friends, Siraji and Jenna. After a successful climb, she is drawn to Siraji, captivated by his strong physique. However, Jenna expands her worldview, helping her understand why Africa and Siana were meant for each other.
Siana reflects that her name means “plentiful springs” in Swahili, and she realizes her life is taking a meaningful direction. After a moment of contemplation, she decides to travel to Africa again, this time visiting Rwanda and Ghana. The memory of the Rwandan massacre weighs heavily on her mind. Following her time in Africa, she journeys to India, focusing on Shimla, and then explores Southeast Asia — specifically Cambodia and Laos. I won’t elaborate much on this because, like many of my friends, I believe that travel is the best remedy for the isolation of solitude that Siana is seeking.
I pause to reflect on something simple. How much do we relate to Siana’s struggles in finding herself — understanding who she is, where she is, and where she wants to go? I remember a scene from the movie ‘Nowhere’ where the female protagonist realizes that she has fallen off a ship in the middle of the sea, with no one around. The ocean stretches in every direction. Is she lost? It’s uncertain. This resonates deeply with me.
Some places feel meant for you, like my feelings about Dubai, Singapore, or NYC. Do you get that feeling? Sometimes, we all have Siana within us.
It is 2 am, and my wife is warning me of my age and health — more in the next entry.
Love.
Dec 22, 2024
The first thing Ashok remembered in the morning was Siana. He typically woke up late due to his work with US investors.
He opened maps.google.com to check on India’s weather report as there could be another possible cyclone. Looking at the world map, he focused particularly on Africa, which is 14 times larger than India. Despite this, India is referred to as a subcontinent, and it is his home. He recalled reading the final part of Siana’s journey.
While she felt a strong connection to Africa, she had some unresolved issues — primarily concerning HIM. Ashok was curious about HIM, suspecting he might have been an old male relative who had access to Siana. However, he couldn’t find the connection, so he returned to reading. This “HE” appeared in her undated entries and continued to impact her life long after.
Dear Diary,
I have not shared this part of Siana with you. She has suffered right from her childhood. She is upset about her father because he is insecure, temperamental, and bossy. He was violent, often toward her mother who accepted it all, and her brothers.
As she walks across the KTB Estate, memories come rushing back to her — the doors, the rooms, the sights, and the dilapidated, colorless walls. This soulless house represents a painful past. She now refers to her father as “the Tyrant Old Man,” while she resents her mother even more, as she was submissive and made her children silent, forcing them to endure the relentless abuse. She shudders at the memories of events like when Jim was thrown out.
Her memories of KTB Estate, often discussed during occasional family gatherings, began with nostalgia but ended in nausea. Eventually, she returns to Mulliode and settles down. Her mother’s health is deteriorating, and her mostly bedridden father continues to make her suffer. He still perceives himself as the hero of his own life, often showing off or looking down on his family. Siana discovers his diary and is shocked to find detailed instances and anecdotes within its pages. While he did not achieve much in his agricultural endeavors, he consistently presented a vain image to the family.
Age has mellowed Siana. Her long travels have stripped away her former self, baring her soul, and now she prefers writing and reading books. Although she hasn’t found the answers she was searching for, both from the KTB estate and her school, where memories of Mashu and Panna still linger, she often reflects on her youth. Frankie and Tony, the boys from her past, are long gone, but the memories of them continue to return.
The weary bird finds its perch, I feel.
Love.
Dec 23, 2024
Ashok realized that there were only a few pages left. The question about HIM lingered in his mind. He delved deeper into the book, which stayed on Adikere and Mulliode. He felt relieved knowing that Siana could confront her demon — HIM.
Dear Diary, This is my penultimate entry for this book review. Siana has stayed with me over the past few days. I can’t seem to shake her off, even with my day job and household chores occupying my time.
As I flip through the last pages, I find myself thinking about Siana. She seeks help from the pastor, who suggests filing a criminal complaint. However, she feels done with that option — she wants to confront him, the one who crept into her bed, waiting for her to be still. The things he did are memories she cannot forget.
Initially, he denies it, but the lawyer in her lays out the facts to him. Eventually, he submits and confesses. It feels like a sort of closure. Something inside me melts, and I briefly look away into the dark hall.
Somewhere, Siana’s life comes full circle. I sigh as I close the book and think about Anjaly. A part of her essence is captured in these pages, but Siana is a different person. She has reached a point in her life where things take on new meanings as if one door has closed. Now, another door must open. Siana will step through this door and embark on a new journey — flowing like the plentiful springs after which she is named.
Love.
Dear Diary,
It’s time for me to share my thoughts as a reader. This year, I’ve read many books, including some classics. But here is the difference.
Anjaly’s “Plentiful Springs” started as a slow read for me, but at a certain point, Siana’s character really resonated with me. That’s the beauty of this story. Through the diary entries, letters, and narrative, Anjaly weaves Siana’s character so relatable that I couldn’t help but draw parallels to my own journey. This is why I’ve chosen to write in this format — part narrative and part diary entries. If the art of reviewing is about imitating, consider this the highest form of flattery toward the author and her character.
I am sharing the picture of our meeting in Dubai on December 14, 2024, at Caribou Coffee in Burjuman, Dubai. This is indeed the start of a lifelong friendship.
Love
Ashok Subramanian
Chennai
23 Dec 2024.
“Please read my diary, look through my things and figure me out.”
― Kurt Cobain, Journals
