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notesofacrocodile's review against another edition
2.0
i adored the first half with the sometimes lyrical writing, the commentary on the casual casteist attitude of the inhabitants of the land of kuttanad where it is set, the message of the power of stories, the vivid descriptions of the waterscape, and the insight into the lives of the inhabitants.
in the second half, i personally felt as though the plot disappeared and that the author was just lying in wait for any character to come in the protagonist's way so that he could launch into a backstory for them. it resulted in repeated non-linear narrations, which for this specific book, i didn't feel like exerting enough effort to follow.
i also couldn't appreciate the sheer number of persons and places mentioned because it was simply impossible to remember each and their significance after a few pages, especially when considered that new characters were being introduced left and right. i come from kerala as well, which is why i can assure you that if you're not from kerala and you found it difficult to remember, it isn't your fault at all. some names were mentioned again in the last few pages and i simply couldn't remember their significance in the story.
additionally, there were some inconsistencies in the translation, which has been mentioned by some of the other reviewers as well.
would recommend if you're looking for a book set in the land of kuttanad and featuring a myriad of intriguing characters.
in the second half, i personally felt as though the plot disappeared and that the author was just lying in wait for any character to come in the protagonist's way so that he could launch into a backstory for them. it resulted in repeated non-linear narrations, which for this specific book, i didn't feel like exerting enough effort to follow.
i also couldn't appreciate the sheer number of persons and places mentioned because it was simply impossible to remember each and their significance after a few pages, especially when considered that new characters were being introduced left and right. i come from kerala as well, which is why i can assure you that if you're not from kerala and you found it difficult to remember, it isn't your fault at all. some names were mentioned again in the last few pages and i simply couldn't remember their significance in the story.
additionally, there were some inconsistencies in the translation, which has been mentioned by some of the other reviewers as well.
would recommend if you're looking for a book set in the land of kuttanad and featuring a myriad of intriguing characters.
sreesha_diva's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
//TW: Mention of rape.
There's an author's note at the beginning where he writes that this book was considered misogynistic by many. He writes that the misogyny of the characters was not up to him to control. I assumed he meant it was a portrayal of how people were at the time the story took place, but by chapter 2 I realized, the story is actually being narrated by a father to his son in the present day. Every female character - EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER - is either [TW] raped or murdered. Yes, EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER. Also, every time a woman is introduced, she's described breasts-first. This book is a karma farm for r/menwritingwomen. The horror of the narrator describing all this to a 5yo! Come on! It's a shame really, for the first chapter raised my expectations given the lush prose and interesting premise.
I started Moustache right after Olive Kitteridge (went in blind in both cases), and both books are collections of short stories only vaguely connected to each other because of the titular character. Some stories in Moustache have non-linear narratives and while usually a fan of these, it does not do any the book any favors, only making the narrative thinner and more convoluted.
A note about the audiobook: I listened to Moustache on Audible and Mary Joseph made a really strange choice with the tone of narration. I didn't mind the mispronunciations of words so much (though I doubt if I'll ever be able to read the words "interesting" or "vulnerable" or "wherewithal" again without her voice in my head), but the pauses (or lack thereof) in the middle of sentences really took me out of the story. Moreover, the narration sounded overly cheerful, while dealing with dark subjects. It was like watching a grinning news reporter talking about a bomb hitting a school bus. At multiple points, the narrator straight up chuckled, jarringly taking me out of the story.
If you're thinking of whether or not to read this book, maybe you heard about it or a friend recommended it or want to know more about the caste system or you're curious because it won awards, I'd still suggest skipping it is the way to go. I have learned nothing new from it, and the treatment of the women in this book has left a horrible taste in my mouth.
There's an author's note at the beginning where he writes that this book was considered misogynistic by many. He writes that the misogyny of the characters was not up to him to control. I assumed he meant it was a portrayal of how people were at the time the story took place, but by chapter 2 I realized, the story is actually being narrated by a father to his son in the present day. Every female character - EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER - is either [TW] raped or murdered. Yes, EVERY FEMALE CHARACTER. Also, every time a woman is introduced, she's described breasts-first. This book is a karma farm for r/menwritingwomen. The horror of the narrator describing all this to a 5yo! Come on! It's a shame really, for the first chapter raised my expectations given the lush prose and interesting premise.
I started Moustache right after Olive Kitteridge (went in blind in both cases), and both books are collections of short stories only vaguely connected to each other because of the titular character. Some stories in Moustache have non-linear narratives and while usually a fan of these, it does not do any the book any favors, only making the narrative thinner and more convoluted.
A note about the audiobook: I listened to Moustache on Audible and Mary Joseph made a really strange choice with the tone of narration. I didn't mind the mispronunciations of words so much (though I doubt if I'll ever be able to read the words "interesting" or "vulnerable" or "wherewithal" again without her voice in my head), but the pauses (or lack thereof) in the middle of sentences really took me out of the story. Moreover, the narration sounded overly cheerful, while dealing with dark subjects. It was like watching a grinning news reporter talking about a bomb hitting a school bus. At multiple points, the narrator straight up chuckled, jarringly taking me out of the story.
If you're thinking of whether or not to read this book, maybe you heard about it or a friend recommended it or want to know more about the caste system or you're curious because it won awards, I'd still suggest skipping it is the way to go. I have learned nothing new from it, and the treatment of the women in this book has left a horrible taste in my mouth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Murder
agotakristof's review
4.0
ഹരീഷിന്റെ "മീശ" പല വിധ ദൗർഭാഗ്യങ്ങൾ നേരിടേണ്ടി വന്ന ഒരു നോവലാണ്. ഒന്നാമതായി അത് ഖണ്ഡശഃ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിയ്ക്കുന്ന ആശയം എഴുത്തുകാരനോ വാരികയിലെ പത്രാധിപരോ മുന്നോട്ടു വച്ചു. അത് നോവലിന്റെ ആഖ്യാനത്തെയും ഫോക്കസിനെയും ബാധിച്ചു(അവസാനഭാഗങ്ങളിൽ പ്രത്യേകിച്ചും). രണ്ടാമതായി ഇതേ കാരണം കൊണ്ട് തന്നെയായിരിയ്ക്കണം നോവലിന്റെ നീളം കുറയ്ക്കേണ്ടിവന്നു. മൂന്നാമതായി നോവൽ വായിച്ച അധിക പങ്കു വായനക്കാരും തികഞ്ഞ പരാജയങ്ങളായിരുന്നു - ഒന്നുകിൽ മംഗളപത്രമെഴുത്തുകാരാണ് ഇത് വായിച്ചത്. അല്ലെങ്കിൽ നോവൽ വായന ശീലമില്ലാത്തവർ. ഇവർ പറഞ്ഞ രണ്ട് വിരുദ്ധ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളും നോവലിനെ വിലയിരുത്തുന്നതിൽ വിജയിച്ചിട്ടില്ല എന്നതാണ് ഇതിലൊന്നും പെടാത്ത ആളുകൾ നോവൽ വായിയ്ക്കുമ്പോൾ തോന്നുക (മലയാളത്തിൽ ഞാൻ അറിയുന്ന നല്ല ചില വായനക്കാർ നോവൽ ഇപ്പോഴും വായിച്ചിട്ടില്ല, ബഹളമൊതുങ്ങാൻ കാത്തിരിയ്ക്കുകയായിരിയ്ക്കണം അവർ, ഞാൻ അതായിരുന്നു). നോവലിന്റെ ഫോക്കസ് മീശയുടെ കഥയിൽ ഉറച്ചു നിൽക്കുന്ന സമയത്ത് ഹരീഷ് ഒരു രത്നം മിനുക്കിയെടുക്കുകയാണെന്നു തോന്നുന്ന വിധത്തിൽ സുന്ദരമാണ് "മീശ" - സീതയെത്തേടി എന്ന ഒരു അധ്യായം മാത്രം മതി ഈ എഴുത്തുകാരൻ എന്തുകൊണ്ടാണ് ഇപ്പോൾ മലയാളത്തിൽ ടോപ് അഞ്ചിൽ പെടുന്നു എന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ. അതിലെ വിശദാംശങ്ങൾ, അത് ആഖ്യാനവുമായി ഇണക്കിയ വിധം, അതിലെ രാമായണം റെഫെറെൻസ്, അതിന്റെ കുട്ടിക്കഥകളെ ഓർമ്മിപ്പിയ്ക്കുന്ന തുടക്കം തുടങ്ങി അതിനെപ്പറ്റി അനവധി കാര്യങ്ങൾ എടുത്തെഴുതാൻ പറ്റും. അപ്പോഴും ആഖ്യാനത്തിന്റെ ഒഴുക്കിന് ഒരു കോട്ടവുമില്ല. നോവലിന്റെ മിയ്ക്കവാറും ഭാഗങ്ങളിൽ അത് ശക്തമായി നിലനിൽക്കുന്നു. വളരെ യൂണീക് ആയ ഒരു ലോകസൃഷ്ടിയാണ് ഹരീഷ് നിർവ്വഹിയ്ക്കുന്നത്. ഖണ്ഡശഃ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചപ്പോൾ വായനയിൽ തോന്നിയിരുന്ന തട്ടും തടവുമൊന്നും പുസ്തകമായി വായിയ്ക്കുമ്പോൾ തോന്നിയതുമില്ല. ഇത് പുസ്തകമായിത്തന്നെ വരേണ്ടതായിരുന്നു എന്നതിന്റെ തെളിവായാണ് ഞാനതു കാണുന്നത്. നോവലിന്റെ പേരുപോലും നോവലിന് ബാധ്യതയായാണ് എനിയ്ക്കൊരു സമയത്ത് തോന്നിയത്. ഒരു പുരുഷ കേസരിയെ സദാ പിന്തുടരുകയല്ല ഈ നോവൽ ചെയ്യുന്നത്. നോവലിനെപ്പറ്റി വിവാദസമയത്ത് പറഞ്ഞു കേട്ട കാര്യങ്ങളൊന്നും നമ്മുടെ ശ്രദ്ധയിൽ വരുന്നുമില്ല. എഴുത്തുകാരന് മാത്രമറിയുന്ന ഒരു കാരണം കൊണ്ട് ഈ നോവൽ ഇരുനൂറു പേജെങ്കിലും short ആണെന്ന് ഞാൻ വിചാരിയ്ക്കുന്നു. സമയമെടുത്ത് ചുരുളഴിയുന്ന ദീർഘമായ ആഖ്യാനമായിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ "കയറി"നൊപ്പം നിൽക്കേണ്ട, മൈൽസ്റ്റോൺ നോവൽ ആയേനെ മീശ (മലയാളത്തിലെ നോവലുകൾ scale ചെയ്യാറില്ലെന്നോർക്കുക, അതിനുള്ള വലിയ സാധ്യതകളുള്ള നോവലായിരുന്നു ഇത്). ഡ്രാഫ്റ്റിൽ ഞാനിതു കണ്ടിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ ഇത് ഈ വിധത്തിൽ പബ്ലിഷ് ചെയ്യാൻ ഒരിയ്ക്കലും സമ്മതിക്കില്ലായിരുന്നു - അഥവാ, ഡ്രാഫ്റ്റ് വായിച്ചവർ എഴുത്തുകാരന് ഒരു disservice ചെയ്തെന്നു ഞാൻ ഉറച്ചു വിശ്വസിയ്ക്കുന്നു.
വായനക്കാരോട് എനിയ്ക്കു പറയാനുള്ളത് - മീശ വായിയ്ക്കുക. അതെന്താണോ അതായി, അതിനു വേണ്ടി വായിയ്ക്കുക. അപ്പോൾ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് മുന്നിൽ ഒരു ലോകം തുറന്നു വരും. ആളുകളുടെ ജല്പനങ്ങളെയും, മുൻവിധികളെയും തള്ളുക. മീശയിൽ കാമ്പുണ്ട്. അത് ക്ഷമയോടെ തിരയുന്നവർക്കു കണ്ടുകിട്ടും. മലയാള ഭാഷയിലെ ഉന്നതനായ ഒരെഴുത്തുകാരന്റെ മാജിക് നിങ്ങൾ കാണും. അതെനിയ്ക്കുറപ്പുണ്ട്.
വായനക്കാരോട് എനിയ്ക്കു പറയാനുള്ളത് - മീശ വായിയ്ക്കുക. അതെന്താണോ അതായി, അതിനു വേണ്ടി വായിയ്ക്കുക. അപ്പോൾ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് മുന്നിൽ ഒരു ലോകം തുറന്നു വരും. ആളുകളുടെ ജല്പനങ്ങളെയും, മുൻവിധികളെയും തള്ളുക. മീശയിൽ കാമ്പുണ്ട്. അത് ക്ഷമയോടെ തിരയുന്നവർക്കു കണ്ടുകിട്ടും. മലയാള ഭാഷയിലെ ഉന്നതനായ ഒരെഴുത്തുകാരന്റെ മാജിക് നിങ്ങൾ കാണും. അതെനിയ്ക്കുറപ്പുണ്ട്.
eca26's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bohemianbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
I am not big on award-winning books but the JCB Prize for Literature always seems to get it right. Some of my recent favorite reads by Indian authors (Jasmine Days and Poonachi) have been on the JCB shortlist. This year had an interesting mix across genres and Moustache was a front runner. No surprises it was declared the winner. I had been keen to pick it up.
I have always enjoyed books that are not just about people but also the region. Although the book depicts caste politics and abject poverty, it is as much about the land, the people, and their daily struggles. The author has done a brilliant job of bringing Kerala alive. One is transported to the paddy fields, the canals, and the palm-lined banks.
The writing style is conversational. At its heart, it is the story of Vavachan and the repercussion of him not shaving off his moustache. But it is also about the social and economic hierarchies. The power dynamics and politics. The state of women and the breast tax. The missionaries and the World War. Talking crocodile and geese, and a moustache with a mind of its own.
That said, this is not a book for everyone. It is a heavy read that requires time and patience. It can also be emotionally draining. The lack of agency for women and the way abuse and rape is depicted in the book is disturbing. Although I did not have an issue, some might struggle with the cultural aspects of the book.
If you enjoy literary fiction with a generous dose of magical realism, do pick up the book.
Read the complete review at BohemianBibliophile.com
I have always enjoyed books that are not just about people but also the region. Although the book depicts caste politics and abject poverty, it is as much about the land, the people, and their daily struggles. The author has done a brilliant job of bringing Kerala alive. One is transported to the paddy fields, the canals, and the palm-lined banks.
The writing style is conversational. At its heart, it is the story of Vavachan and the repercussion of him not shaving off his moustache. But it is also about the social and economic hierarchies. The power dynamics and politics. The state of women and the breast tax. The missionaries and the World War. Talking crocodile and geese, and a moustache with a mind of its own.
That said, this is not a book for everyone. It is a heavy read that requires time and patience. It can also be emotionally draining. The lack of agency for women and the way abuse and rape is depicted in the book is disturbing. Although I did not have an issue, some might struggle with the cultural aspects of the book.
If you enjoy literary fiction with a generous dose of magical realism, do pick up the book.
Read the complete review at BohemianBibliophile.com
thefictionalbliss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sreeraag_mohan's review against another edition
3.0
In 2018, I travelled to Alappuzha - a coastal town in Central Kerala. Once an important center for trade, Alappuzha is now known as the gateway to Kuttanad, a picturesque region famed for its backwaters and vast expanses of verdant paddy fields. As the author quips towards the end of Moustache, it is truly the most beautiful place in the whole wide world.
Moustache is a novel that takes complete advantage of Kuttanad and its peculiarities: for a people who have led an amphibious existence for generations are bound to have their fair share of oddities. Deftly combining fact and fiction, Hareesh crafts a story of a land and its people, a story that is steeped in Kuttanad's geography, culture and folklore.
With a narrative that demands so much contextual knowledge from the reader, Moustache is at times hard to understand for Malayalis from other parts of the state, let alone non-Malayalam readers. Yet, for those readers who care to put in the time and effort necessary to get the historical context behind Hareesh's work, Moustache is an unputdownable masterpiece.
Moustache is a novel that takes complete advantage of Kuttanad and its peculiarities: for a people who have led an amphibious existence for generations are bound to have their fair share of oddities. Deftly combining fact and fiction, Hareesh crafts a story of a land and its people, a story that is steeped in Kuttanad's geography, culture and folklore.
With a narrative that demands so much contextual knowledge from the reader, Moustache is at times hard to understand for Malayalis from other parts of the state, let alone non-Malayalam readers. Yet, for those readers who care to put in the time and effort necessary to get the historical context behind Hareesh's work, Moustache is an unputdownable masterpiece.
pemberleypages's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5