Makaras to Manticores
MY THOUGHTS
The moment you finish reading From Makaras to Manticores, you will be left with a few new favourite mythical creatures. You will mark the pages with these creatures with post-its, and you will try to sneak them into various conversations as a way of recommending this book. Such is the power of CG Salamander and Sheena Deviah’s new book.
The book is a complete breakaway from the norm. It reminded me of JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts, but this one is on steroids — brandishing the secret of its mythical creatures for anyone who stops to look at the cover for one second. Makaras to Manticores is a book in the form of diary entries of Thomas Iravathur, who is on a mission to travel across India and document 100 mythical creatures. He starts in South India and finishes in the East. Through this nail-biting journey, we learn about his life, fears, and dreams through the creatures.
While chatting about Maithili and the Minotaur on my podcast Tell Me a Story, Salamander had spoken about his fascination with oral folklore and mythical creatures and creating large, mythical, fantastical worlds. But in a recent interview on another podcast, he talks about how From Makaras to Manticores is a veritable spreadsheet of creatures and characters he and his co-conspirator extraordinaire, Rajiv Eipe, can use as reference for other books. I was also fascinated with how he was inspired by — and therefore used — a literary technique in Lincoln in the Bardo, a book written by George Saunders. Perhaps why the last entry of Thomas Iravathur’s journal is titled Thomas in the Bardo.
Sheena Deviah’s masterful illustrations lift the book from an interesting read to something you need on your coffee table. Her images are conversation starters and will bring alive these terrifying creatures to life. The book is entirely in black and white and sketched to look like a diary with doodles on page corners and hasty jottings at the bottom of pages.
This book is a YA read, and depending on where you are in the world, grab a cold drink or a warm comforter, lock the doors, and settle down with this book. It is the perfect way to put your worries behind you.
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
Disclosure: Mother of Readers is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program and other affiliate programmes. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Every book recommended here is thoughtfully read and reviewed.
