A nostalgic and beautifully written account of Kongu Nadu and Tamil life in the 1980s, seen through memories of cinema and theatre culture. The first half is vivid, immersive, and a joy to read. The second half feels like a collection of magazine essays, with much of the context no longer as relevant. Still, the opening chapters alone make it worth reading.

Perumal Murugan writes with such ease that he makes writing about one’s own life feel almost effortless. As I read, I found myself remembering my own cinema-house experiences, replaying forgotten moments, and quietly narrating them to myself alongside his stories.