Nice review . But I disagree with the reviewer about realism. Those who are from Kerala and known the culture for last 50-70 years understand that the characters are so close to their on great grandparents or grand parents. It’s not a fable. It’s realism at its best articulated so well by a master writer. Only Dr. Verghese can do the best with his magical language with justice to his ancestry as an insider. I like this book better than God of small things as this book is much more closer to the land, culture and its people.