Book: Mahi
Author: Anand Neelakanthan
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Publisher: Harper Children’s
Pages: 224
Mahi: The Elephant Who Flew Over The Blue Mountains by Anand Neelakanthan is a captivating Children’s Fiction that shows the readers the story of Mahi, a baby elephant whose dream is to fly. When Mahi decides to fly over the Blue Mountains, he isn’t aware that fulfilling his dream could lead to endangering his life, but the future of his mother, family, and the whole of Anastan. But his dream of flying wasn’t just any childish fantasy, but a means to find Varana, his father, whom Trumpo, the vice president of Anastan convincingly declared is killed by the tigers of Pulistan. But can he trust Trumpo? Who is his friend and who is a foe in this time? Read this book to find out the answers to the questions and what happens to Mahi and his dreams.
Well, aiming beyond our capabilities is not with which we aren’t familiar, isn’t it? But dreaming for our loved ones instead of ourselves which is beyond our capabilities is something that we might have lost in our way while growing up, and this book is a gentle reminder to keep that child and beyond-the-horizon dreams alive, the dreams that push us to see beyond ourselves and go beyond our capabilities, and in the way it makes us break the boundaries for ourselves.
With vivid, creative, and imagery writing, the author creates a world that makes the readers indulge in it completely and makes them a part of it and root for the characters from start to end. Also, it would not be wrong to say that it gave a lot of Disney vibes (thanks to Mridu I started watching it this year and am in love with it) and Disney lovers would cherish this book.
The characters are very well written and their journeys are beautifully depicted. Mahi’s relationship with his mother was a highlight and standout. However, I felt that the relationship of Mahi with his grandfather needed more time, and there could have been more layers in Trumpo’s character, which could have described his motivations and actions in detail and established the motives behind his actions strongly.
The screen adaptation of this book sometime is a dream, a shared dream of the author and readers, something that could be a treat to the eyes as well as the soul of animated movie lovers!
With the pinch of satire and moral values, this book is a perfect read not only for children who will be highly entertained while reading but for grown-ups as well, as it provides much-needed comfort and at the same time the discomfort to let one take a step towards their dreams.
Read this book to find a Mahi in yourself, because we all have one inside ourselves and this book might become a medium to pursue it. A highly recommend book. My first by Anand Neelakanthan and I’m excited to read more by him now.
Rating: 4.75/5
Favourite lines from the book:
• It isn’t the ropes or the iron chains that bind you. It is your own fear and preference for comfort over freedom that you most. Beware of this.
• But children aren’t supposed to point out their parents’ mistakes unless they want to be yelled at.
• Pray that if you are given another birth, you will not be born animals, who can be chained or skinned or fried and eaten by human devils. Or perhaps, that you are never born as cruel humans, who have no compassion for animals, birds or fish. Let us pray to be born in a world where there are only animals, birds, insects, worms and fishes, but no humans to spoil it all.
• ‘Why are they so cruel, Uncle?’
‘They want to please their gods.’
‘Why should any god be pleased when his creations are tortured?’
I was provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
You can buy the book from Amazon or any bookstore near you!
If you liked the review or have any feedback, don’t forget to let me know in the comments! Also, if you haven’t followed my blog till now, what are you waiting for?
You might also like:
Jainand Gurjar 
3 thoughts on “Mahi by Anand Neelakanthan: A book that not only children will devour but grown ups as well for the push it gives to their dreams – Book Review”