The Magic of the Lost Story
by Sudha Murthy and illustrated by David Yambem
“The Magic of the Lost Story” by Sudha Murthy and illustrated by David Yambem. Published by Penguin. A beautiful story of Nooni making a discovery of a missing piece from her own family’s history by going on an unforgettable journey along the majestic Tungabhadra river.
This book is a sequel to “The Magic of the Lost Temple” book which we read recently. It needs to be read to understand this story better. Nooni who was twelve in the first book is now a fourteen year old. She has been confined to her home in Bengaluru due to the pandemic lockdown and is eager to visit her grandparents in Somanahalli. Her earlier adventure and discovery of the stepwell with her friends in Somanahalli is still fresh in everyone’s minds. This time she embarks on a journey to the evergreen Malenadu region of Karnataka with her grandparents for a special ceremony. The Sahasra Poornachandra Darshana (thousandth full moon viewing of a lifetime) of her grandfather’s cousin, Gopal Ajja who is 83 years and four months old.
Nooni is excited to be going to a new place. Little does she know that her curiosity and inquisitive nature is going to make her discover a long lost story of her own family’s history. She thinks that a journey along the majestic Tungabhadra river will help her complete a school project on rivers. But it is going to make her find answers to the missing pieces of her own family’s connection to the river and the region. Read the beautiful story to experience the local sights and flavours of the beautiful region that the Tunga and Bhadra rivers flow through before they join to become the mighty Tungabhadra river.
My 8.5 year old and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a pleasure to know more about the journey of the river and the regions through which it flows. Since we had visited this region on two trips in the recent past, my son was thrilled to read about the places. The important role played by rivers in our history and culture has been portrayed beautifully through the story of Nooni’s family. Through the example set by Nooni, the message for children is to ask questions and not just follow something blindly. Nooni and her family are such a delightful set of characters and we have begun to adore them.
Being from Karnataka, we felt a sense of pride to read one of the very few books set in this beautiful state. The master storyteller in Sudha Murthy has spun a magical tale once again and given it such beautiful regional touches. We were thrilled to see mention of local specials like the Gulla (a special variety of Brinjal grown in some regions of Karnataka), the Jackfruit papad, Kashaya, Rasabale (a variety of Banana grown in Nanjanagudu near Mysore), the Byadagi Chillies and Avarekayi (Hyacinth Beans). These happen to be some of our favourites at home :)
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 8 and above.
Reasons to Read
For a simple, heartwarming and delightful book showcasing the joy of spending time with grandparents, getting to experience new things and adventures which cannot happen in cities given our busy lives.
Where to buy from?
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.
Disclaimer - We received this book from the publisher, Penguin India, for review. Thank you to Greeshma and Mansi, from Penguin, for sending across the book!