Publisher: Fingerprint
Language: English
ISBN: 9788175993204
Price: INR 250
Pages: 292
“A heart warming tale of the selfless love and boundless devotion that only canines are capable of showering, Anita Krishan’s Fluffy and Me will take you on an emotional journey full of laughter and tears, fun and fear.”
When a book titled ‘Fluffy and Me’ hits the stands, it is only a natural reaction for one to assume it is nothing more than a children’s paperback. However, this book serves as the perfect testimony to the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”, for instead of being a childish storybook that one would expect, it is a poignant story filled with thought provoking emotions.
Set in the hilly terrain of 1960’s Shimla, Anita Krishan’s ‘Fluffy and Me’ is a touching tale that details the life and times of a small town girl as she experiences an adventurous upbringing in the small Himalayan Suburb, all while in the company of her constant canine companion, the star of the book: Fluffy.
Through its narrative, ‘Fluffy and Me’ explores the essential themes of friendship, loyalty and the undeniable commitments that accompany them. It is a story about growing up with a pet dog, how glorious that can be and the chaos that consequently ensues. It also provides a child’s perspective to the issues created in the Himalayan area by the 1965 conflict between India and Pakistan and ultimately is a heart wrenching story about time that passes more quickly than we would like it to.
It starts off with a portrayal of the main character’s life as a little girl living in a secluded part of the town, where she is often left to herself and thus begins wandering about, discovering new places in an attempt to fill the void that loneliness has created in her otherwise ideal lifestyle. Here, it is established that despite having a loving family and friendly schoolmates, the little girl feels a distinct sense of loneliness and thus first creates the need for an unconditional addition to her regular routine. Enter: Fluffy, a four legged furry Lhasa Apso, who arrives at the girl’s doorstep with a wagging tail, adventurous soul and a spirit for mischief. The pair connects immediately and thus begins a deeply lasting sentimental bond.
Through the dynamic duo’s escapades, the story manages to take the reader on an emotional journey as they evolve from childhood to maturity, filled with bursts of joy and hints of heartache, rolled up in a nostalgic soul, all while providing detailed anecdotes of their antics.
This book is Anita Krishan’s ode to her own childhood comrade and trusted family member: her childhood dog who was also named Fluffy, and is hence written from an incredibly personal and intimate perspective that sometimes has the ability to grasp the reader, yet manages to feel overly exaggerated and naïve at other times. One finds several grammatical errors across the chapters as well and this may pose as a tiresome problem for the reader. However, despite its many quirks, the story raises important questions and conveys an irresistible image of the unspoilt wonder that is Shimla. It is the perfect feel-good book to curl up with a cup of tea on a lazy day and it is this very quality that salvages it. The book is a good one-time read, especially for those passionate about pets and their benefits.
Rating: 7/10
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