Mobility, Motherhood, and Memory : Yet Another Review of my Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

~ Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad (1869)

In her debut travelogue, Suitcases, Sandcastles, and Little Anvik: A Travelogue (Writers International Edition, 2024), Dr. Aparna Ajith reinterprets the transformative potential of travel articulated by Twain, framing it within the intimate confines of a young naval family’s relocations across India. Comprising twenty-two chapters over 244 pages, the work chronicles the journeys of the author, her navy husband, Sujeeth, whose postings drive the family’s mobility, and their young son Anvik, endearingly referred to as Kunjapp. Through vivid depictions of diverse Indian locales, from the serene hills of Kodaikanal to the vibrant islands of Andaman and Nicobar, Ajith weaves a narrative that transcends conventional travel writing by integrating personal reflections on motherhood, familial resilience, and the preservation of memory amid transience.

The structural framework of the book enhances its thematic coherence. Preceded by endorsements from prominent figures in literature, film, and academia, such as National Award-winning filmmaker Dr. Santwana Bardoloi and poet Johanna D.S. Chittranjan, the volume includes a foreword, biography, preface, and acknowledgements. These paratextual elements establish a scholarly and appreciative context, positioning the travelogue as a bridge between personal memoir and broader cultural discourse. Dr.Santwana Bardoloi, commends Dr. Aparna’s “inimitable style” and profound affection for places and people, while Chittranjan notes the author’s capacity to evoke unfamiliar territories through keen observation. Such accolades highlight the work’s interdisciplinary resonance, appealing to readers interested in pedagogy, cinema, and literary studies. Thank you, Literary Vibes for publishing my travelogue's review. To read more, please check Vibes website...