Maithili and the Minotaur: Forest of Forgotten Fears
Series: Maithili and the Minotaur
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
MY THOUGHTS
Reading a Maithili And The Minotaur book is a multi-step process. First, you block a considerable chunk of time from your schedule. Then, since these books come a year apart, you re-read the first one. You pay careful attention to all the characters and subplots, reintroduce yourself to all the characters, and then settle down to read the latest instalment in the series.
Maithili and the Minotaur: The Forest of Forgotten Fears is not for those who get easily impatient. You peel back layer after layer to see what’s underneath. Sometimes it is a humorous pun and other times a legend or myth cleverly moulded to fit the story. In this book, Maithili and her friends are on a school trip and are tasked with collecting eesals. They (Maithili, Minotaur, Nagesh, and Wolfhound) decide to venture deep into the forest (inspired by the legend of Mathikettan Solai, near Kodaikanal) to win the competition. That’s when the plan begins to unravel. The forest traps them and brings alive their worst fears! Will Maithili and her friends escape? Also, what will Nagesh do to help?
Even as favourites from Book 1 – Van Driver Hellsingh, Aaruvaal, Mr Puu, and Nagesh return in meatier roles, author CG Salamander comes up with new characters that vie for your attention. Illustrator Rajiv Eipe creates a forest using colours and patterns that will take your breath away, so much so that you will be fixated on the page with the forest looking through the leaves, trying to capture all the details. The duo explore some heavy themes throughout the story, but also return to their brand of pop-culture humour and puns, and that is something I can never get enough of! This is a book that shows the creators had fun while creating it, and they invite you to share the joy.
This book has drama, intrigue, humour, folklore, compelling characters, and gorgeous illustrations. It was definitely a book I waited a whole year for, and now it looks like it will be another long wait. Looking for that extra something to get the book for your child? This is probably the only graphic novel series for middle-grade readers in India!
If you are wondering if graphic novels are something your child should be reading, or if you tend to dismiss the entire genre because “it’s just a comic book, how is it worthwhile reading?” then I would love for you to read an article I wrote for Scroll on why, Indian parents need to give graphic novels a chance to witness their true power.
As for me, I will continue to read this book again and again, and wait with bated breath for the next book!
Read review of book 1, Maithili and the Minotaur: Web of Woe and listen the podcast here
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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