The Illicit Happiness of Other People in Fictional Fortress

Jul 24, 2015 Nivedita rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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Illicit Happiness

To me, a good book is always the one that inflicts a change in me. It could be positive, negative or even something which is neutral, but if it changes anything within me, it is good enough. The Illicit Happiness of Other People is a strange book. I know it's a good one, because it definitely changed something inside me. It's difficult to explain what, but I know, after I turned the last page, I was changed.

It's a story about how a father, tries to find a good reason to believe Illicit Happiness

To me, a good book is always the one that inflicts a change in me. It could be positive, negative or even something which is neutral, but if it changes anything within me, it is good enough. The Illicit Happiness of Other People is a strange book. I know it's a good one, because it definitely changed something inside me. It's difficult to explain what, but I know, after I turned the last page, I was changed.

It's a story about how a father, tries to find a good reason to believe that his son's suicide was had an honorable motive; and at the same time, coping with his wife's psychological problems. Ousep Chacko has turned into a failure ever since his son, Unni Chacko killed himself three years earlier, and due to the misfortune imposed upon them, good wife, Mariamma is trying to kill him. Along with this Thoma Chacko, his only living son is trying to come in terms with his strange family and his love for his next door neighbour.

The story, is primarily told from three different point of views: Ousep, Mariamma, Thoma and Mythili, their neighbor. Each of them tries to find a reason to why Unni killed himself. They each have something to hide, and each of them tries their best to keep it hidden. What starts a desperate attempt for Ousep turns into a whole new revelation and along the investigation, as he talks to various friends and acquaintances related to Unni, he began to see his son in a whole new light. Each of them had a similar, yet entirely new approach to Unni's personality, which, in some way or the other, could have had an impact on Unni's suicide.

I love how the story takes form. It starts with a picture of how strange the Chacko family is. Slowly, we begin to understand what Unni was like, although his personality is scrutinised in every way possible, throughout the book. It is followed by each character's thoughts and views on Unni as well as each other. Eventually, things are out in the open, and each character tries to accept other's flaws and light is slightly seen in their lives. Throughout, the investigation behind Unni's suicide is carried on, bringing about shocking incidents which helps us understand better about Unni. I have never read anything so perfectly dissected and so beautifully presented.

I don't think this story would have had the same impact on me if it were written by any other author. Manu Joseph's way of getting the plot out and then weaving plot into a well written story is simply brilliant. He knows what he's writing and that is why this was a success. There was a sense of thoroughness in this book and I do not think, he would have been able to make one mistake. This is my first time reading his work and I'm not stopping at it.

To describe the book in one word, I would say phenomenal. It talks about happiness and life in a way nobody has ever talked about. It treads the path that is rarely taken. I cannot describe what is the underlying idea behind the book. I would recommended that you read the book. But I can guarantee you one thing: it is not going to disappoint you. ...more

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Nov 06, 2015 Krittika Mittal rated it it was amazing

The very thing that strikes me initially in the book is the Tongue-in-cheek humor. The use of satire conveys a wealth of emotions. This book is not a light read, it goes over many issues related to neuroscience. Honestly, the book was a surprise. You just don't know what to expect from it. I initially started it but left it in the first part thinking it was too boring. But now that I've finished it, I love this book, it was the first time I read something like this... Must Read ...more

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