Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Musings of Mannarkoil Professor by Gopalan Srinivasan documents his life experiences through personal anecdotes. He discusses challenges South Indians face with Western naming conventions, detailing frequent mispronunciations and confusions. He recounts early writing rituals using traditional materials and transitions to pencils and pens, describing their maintenance and social interactions related to their use. Srinivasan recalls childhood barber visits, school rituals involving book reuse and sweet celebrations, and college life marked by limited textbooks and dictated notes. He describes his early career routines and contrasts postal services in India and Canada, including the use of thumb impressions. Childhood memories include learning to cycle, playing hockey barefoot, and local games. Post-retirement, he talks about difficulties adapting to modern appliances. He also details his history with migraines, consultations with specialists, and a humorous diagnosis termed “Mannarkoil Syndrome.”

Musings of Mannarkoil Professor: Now and Then, Here and There by Gopalan Srinivasan is a simple and straightforward memoir, written in a conversational and approachable style that feels less like a manuscript and more like a chat with an older relative. The best parts of Srinivasan's work are when he shares memories of his youth, and I chuckled as he described playing with immature coconuts fashioned into rockets and the cautionary stories told by a college-educated landlord. It was also quite funny when he describes the school milestone of when kids are first allowed to use pens, particularly since he was not given a typical BIC that most readers would identify with, and was instead given a fountain pen! These moments and others provide a window into everyday experiences and cultural practices, and the book will appeal to readers who enjoy simple slice-of-life vignettes. The real boon, though, will be for Srinivasan's family, who will no doubt treasure this piece of their own history for generations to come.