#475 - Out in the Moonlight

by Perumal Murugan and illustrated by Ashok Rajagopalan

“Out in the Moonlight” by Perumal Murugan and illustrated by Ashok Rajagopalan. Published by Tulika. A powerfully evocative account of a wonderful night in the life of a little boy and his family.

Perumal Murugan narrates an incident from his own childhood in an exceptionally beautiful manner. As a five year old boy, his mother took him and his ten month old brother out to their millet field in the night. He had never seen such a moonlit night before. They have to pass through a thorny forest of Karuvelam trees with the fear of snakes. As his baby brother sleeps and his mother clears the field by plucking out the millet stalks left after the harvest, he makes the most of the beautiful night with a stray dog. Read the charming book to experience a night in the life of the little boy and his mother.

The book is enchanting to say the least. The vivid narrative of the author gives a glimpse into the life in a farmer’s family and childhood in a village. The gorgeous illustrations are mesmerising and bring the scenes to life in front of our eyes. They capture the landscape as well as the emotions of the characters in an amazing manner. The affection and warmth of the mother towards her children has been portrayed so well. Tending to the fields is an equally important task for her and she seems to do it quite effortlessly. The book was originally published in Tamil. It is adapted from a chapter in Perumal Murugan’s autobiographical “Thondra Tunai”. My nine year old loved reading the book. He had enjoyed reading “Poonachi Lost in the Forest” by the author earlier.

Recommended Age

The book is apt for children aged 5 and above.

Where to buy from?

The publishers Tulika here.