Dolmens in the Blue mountain by Kandathil Sebastian: a review

“Dolmens in the blue mountain” what does this name signify to you? To the people who don’t know the exact meaning of a Dolmen, the book might seem a bit boring at first glance. Not till a person flips the pages that he/she gets a hang of the magic that is in the book. Kandathil Sebastian’s debut work, the book surely is about Dolmens and much more.

On the back cover- Most of us still dream and hope to find ways out beyond violence and corruption. Using dolmens (single-chambered tombs constructed, dates back to Neolithic period 4000 to 3000BC), as a metaphor, Dolmens in the blue mountain explores the meaning of life and death in the context of migrations of Kerala’s Syrian Christian community, and the struggle for survival of tribal communities in the Western Ghats mountain ranges. The story revolves around the lives of three brothers. One of them migrated to Canada. The second one joins a Delhi Based NGO, bogged down by a corrupt and callous system, and was forced to quit his job on moral grounds. The third one stayed back in Kerala, but got into conflict with the radicalized tribal community. Will the brothers, inspired by the dolmens, which taught them the meaning of living in harmony with nature, without compromising the resource needs of poor people and future generations, be able to fulfill their dreams and aspirations?

To begin with, the blurb gives the readers a much ‘outlined’ idea of the book. Dealing with the Syrian Christian community and its growth in Kerala, the book is surely a nice read. It’s very impressive the way the author had connected the story of the three brothers along with the dolmens, keeping it as a metaphor throughout.

It would not be a lie if I say that the Dolmens are the best part of the book. Teaching life and death in its own way, the book surely acts as a motivating read for all kinds of readers. Another thing that I liked about the book was the way the author has kept a track of all their lives and presented to the readers in such a way that they don’t feel cut from any story.

As the story covers a long time frame, the research needed to put it up, gives the book a feel-good feeling. The describing power of the writer is commendable all through the book.  Though in the beginning, the readers might be a bit confused over the storyline, the further advancements in the story clear all doubts. The perfect end to it leaves a sense of enlightenment in the eyes of the reader.

Giving a crystal clear view of the landscape, I call this book a mind refreshing read. Though the book has its own set of smiles and tears, it only adds to the beauty of it. For me, I found the book a nice read, if only the book could’ve been a bit more interesting that it already it, it would’ve done perfectly well. At this point, I would like to rate it 4 out of 5 waiting for more to come from the author.