For the Love of Apricots: Celebrating Life in Kumaon Hills
A bottle of pickle, a jar of apricot jam and a clump of stinging nettle conspire
Dear Reader,
Seems like time is flying! On my side, a hectic travel schedule has been keeping me super busy. It’s been a whirlwind of happy moments as my boy was back from University and at home on vacation till February. We had an amazing time together, shopping, meeting friends and travelling to new places that instantly ‘recharged’ us. There’s nothing more beautiful than doing things together, as a family.
Before I knew it, the kid’s back on campus, gearing up for activities that will keep him busy. Meanwhile, I am learning to settle in with the sudden emptiness at home. Long intervals of silence remind me of my son’s absence. I am so used to hearing him call, “Amma” for seemingly little things.
Of course, it’s an inner tussle to find the balance within when an emptiness is all you feel!
As An Yu writes in “Braised Pork”, “The worst days give us the best memories.”
Now, let me not ramble on and bore you about my empty nest syndrome - I think you’ve heard enough already!
Now if you are looking out for a good story to curl up with, here’s my current read, “For The Love of Apricots”, yes, this is the perfect one; a book that celebrates the simple joys of life in Kumaon Hills.
A bottle of pickle, a jar of apricot jam and a clump of stinging nettle conspire as the perfect ingredients for a romance in the hills. Imagine living in a quaint village surrounded by scenic beauty and delectable food that tastes fresh and warm; a perfect vacation spot to unwind and relax with a cozy book. Ah, that’s a dream come true. This book celebrates romance in the picturesque backdrop of Kumaon Hills.
Nandini, a forty year old divorcee, is introduced to us as “… a connoisseur of jams. It was a well-known fact, even among villagers that Nandini knew her jams…”
Madhulika Liddle’s writing feels like a breath of fresh air as she blends in a perfect harmony of wit, wisdom and heartwarming confidence, rarely seen in a contemporary romance. Her observations are tinged with candid insights and poignant gentleness.
“This was heavenly. Not too sweet, not too tart. The fruit fallen apart into a delicious—but not homogenous, by no means—mush. There were bits of fruit here and there; little shreds of tenderness that stood out. Just by looking at it, she had seen this was nothing like the sickly, pectin-laden, gelatinous mess of mass-produced jams that crowded store shelves in the cities of the plains. Not even like the jams produced elsewhere in the hills, made of fruit but cooked down to such a consistency that one could just as well have been eating an over sweetened red-tinted pumpkin puree choked with pectin. But jam in which the fruit sang loud and clear…And it had those kernels…”
Like a gentle breeze, the story’s plot unravels and touches the reader’s heart instantly; so does the blossoming of romance between two individuals who have deeply suffered as a result of their past relationships.
Were there moments when the protagonists seemed a little silly?
Yes, there were and that’s what made them human. Like us.
To me, this is where most writers lose perspective. In this book, however, the writing sparkles. A reader is empowered by the sensitive portrayal of mature love.
Nandini’s strong identity moves through as a catalyst, forcing Vikas to examine her true emotions and the stories she has convinced herself over the years. As the couple keep sparring on silly things and they move back and forth through small relatable instances, they each finally confront truths they were unwilling to admit.
This is where I found myself admiring the writer’s balancing act to push through simple storytelling and tucking in every day life and home chores.
While writing this book review, I happened to read an excellent article by
on ‘What Sells A Book?’. Learn smart ways to sell your book and tap into valuable insights such as teaming up with local book sellers and libraries.
Circling back to the book I’ve been writing about, Madhulika Liddle’s writing style is refreshing. With an artist’s perfection, she brings visual elements to life such as her warm conversations with the women in the local co-operative, where the boundaries demarcating an employer and an employee are gently blurred.
After reading this book, I know I’d love to read more of Indian fiction this year.
Few interesting reads on the Internet
3 Homestays in India with Charming Libraries
Deep Work: The Complete Guide
Sorry Tales of Housework [Personal story: Get ready to laugh!]
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writing anchor
last quote
“When you work, work hard.
When you are done, be done.”
- Carl Newport (Deep Work)
A word of advice: Don’t burn yourself out, dear reader. Life is precious - you know that already, but I’m here to give you a little nudge and say, “Take a deep breath. Watch sunrise and light lamp in your home at sunset. Bask in the little joys of Nature. When you miss the clouds, the flowers and the butterflies, you miss living life itself. And good health.”
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