Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy,

   

 

Page 21

In the non-human category, my closest companion was a striped palm squirrel who lived on my shoulder and whispered in my ear. We shared secrets. She wasn’t my pet. She had her own life, but chose to share it with me. She would disappear often because she had things to do. At mealtime she would appear, perch on my plate and nibble at my food. She loved pineapples most of all. She was constantly watchful, eternally alert to every possibility of looming danger. She taught me things.

Squirrel survival skills were an asset for anyone attempting to navigate the ledge life in Ayemenem.

Page 123

 

I handed over the files and accepted the offer on the spot. It was a tiny three-room apartment, exquisitely appointed — the first real ‘home’ I had been invited into in years. There was an air of low wood and spare furniture. A rendition of a Rajasthani folk epic painted on canvas silk stretched across the entire length of one wall; the floor was covered with a nondescript jute or perhaps coir pineapple fibre carpet. Bright cushions with ethnic prints were carelessly strewn around. A picture of perfect domesticity.

Page 245

“Could you please sign this for my …” that revealed something to me about their lives, their loves, their friendships and relationships. It made me realize how literature can join humans in a bond of quiet intimacy the way almost nothing else can.

 

 

After completing Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, I felt deeply moved. It wasn’t just a book to me; it felt like stepping into someone’s lived truth. I could sense the courage, energy, and determination flowing through the pages.

The three paragraphs I selected earlier stayed with me the most. They felt intimate and powerful. The clean, direct language made everything feel honest and immediate, allowing me to move quickly through the pages while still absorbing the depth of her experiences.

What touched me most was her openness — about her successes, her struggles, her tough times, and her lucky breaks. She did not hide behind comfort. She chose honesty. Reading about the people around her and the social issues that shaped her made me reflect on strength and integrity.

More than anything, I felt inspired by her straightforward nature and her decision to stand firm in her beliefs, even when it would have been easier not to.