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Submitted by Bekxy Kuriakose on 3 August 2020

Bekxy Kuriakose, a caregiver and a voracious reader reviews and recommends Mai, a graphic novel by Sriram Jagannathan on Malavika Iyer. 

Mai is a graphic novel, slim volume of about 100 pages based on the true story of a girl called Malavika Iyer. It deals with a life changing freak accident which takes place when she’s 13 yrs old. And her carefree happy childhood seems completely shattered.

Undergoing years of treatment, hospitalization at various hospitals with various doctors, it’s a story of how she and her mother overcame one challenge after another so that she could resume her normal life or at least a semblance of it. Along the way they face a lot of pain, loneliness, depression, anxiety and worry. Her family has to make difficult choices so that they can manage her hospitalization and the challenges that come along the way.

From light to sudden plunge into a dark abyss, they (Mai and her mother) climb out slowly with the support of family and friends. As she gets better and her health condition stabilizes she undertakes an extraordinary resolve. One that even normal kids her age would perhaps not undertake. Will she succeed or not? The final pages will reveal that. Sriram Jagannathan’s art work in black and white and dialogues are easy on the eye and enjoyable.

If, like Malavika you are also confined to your hospital bed or room with health issues for a long time you will know you are not alone in your struggle. If you are a caregiver like Mai’s mother you would identify with her struggles and how she met them. In fact it doesn’t matter if you are young or old like me, a parent or student, this simple but heartwarming story will inspire you in some way.

Book is available in Paper back and kindle form

Language: English

ASIN: B07C5SH21N

 

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