Book Review - Karibu Mami by Sudha Ramnath



When Vasanthi's husband gets an opportunity to work in Tanzania, the whole family decides to relocate to Dar es Salaam to be with him. The book chronicles Vasanthi's journey as an expatriat in a country that is both wild and timeless and which welcomes her in its warm fold.

Vasanthi's doubts as a mother, as a wife and as a woman torn between choosing the comfort zone and answering to the call of adventure, have been well portrayed in the narrative. The author has given a comprehensive glimpse into the life of expatriats, the challenges they and their families face and the way they deal with their worries and anxieties of living in an unfamiliar and foreign country.

The chapters are concise, narrating the daily happenings in Vasanthi's life. What absolutely stands out is the way the author has brought Tanzania to life, giving brief and enticing glimpses of the country, its culture and its natives who make a memorable impression in the story. The importance of expatriat friendships has been beautifully portrayed. I loved the concept of 'nammallava' that frequently appears in the book. It's the need of the hour today!

I absolutely loved this book. The author has done a fantastic job of bringing an expatriat's life on paper and doing complete justice to it. I would recommend this book to all those looking for warm and comforting stories laced with a little bit of adventure and charm. This book indeed has a little bit of everything to it!

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