A Harvest of Ecstasy (Paperback)

Author: Mathew Attokaran
Publisher: Niyogi Books, New Delhi
(Pp 216, ISBN 978-93-83098-97-2, Rs 295)

Set in a small village in Kerala, A Harvest of Ecstasy is the heart-warming story of the prestigious Kollegal family belonging to the picturesque village of Puthupady. The novel traces the fortunes of Thomachan and his family who own one of the richest and most successful estates in the region. The novel also brings into light Molly, who evolved from a devoted daughter-in-law, a dutiful wife, a potential mistress of the estate to a woman capable of making a hard choice that brings her happiness.

Set in the period between the 1930s and the 1980s, the author uses important social, political and sporting events to provide the chronological backdrop for the saga. He has also weaved unique customs and ceremonies of the Syrian Catholics of Kerala into the story. The book also throws light on the harvesting on various crops like spices, coffee, tea, arecanut, coconut and rubber. A reader gets a glimpse of the life in that era. All in all, it is a simple novel studded with picturesque account of the village in Kerala.

– V Verma