Book Review: Silent Journeys by Benyamin

In a world often captivated by grand narratives of power and glamour, Benyamin’s Silent Journeys is a powerful reminder that every being matters. Small sacrifices, little acts of courage, and the relentless desire to be free of poverty and daily grind transform gentle women into real-life heroes. Originally written in Malayalam, titled Nishabda Sancharangal, the book has been translated into English by Anoop Prathapan.

Silent Journeys is a heartfelt tribute to the thousands of nurses from Kerala who, for generations, have embarked on arduous journeys to unknown shores. These brave women leave behind the comfort of home, braving storms both literal and metaphorical, driven by the singular purpose of providing for their families. They become the silent anchors, the steadfast providers and tireless carers, yet their contributions often fade away without a trace or glory, lost in the annals of time. Benyamin skilfully brings this resilience to the forefront, giving voice to their untold stories.

Written as a first-person account, the narrative unfolds through the eyes of Manu Reji, a young man grappling with the uncertainty of his post-college life, unable to find a suitable career path. Indecisive, he doesn’t know whom to follow—his girlfriend Janaki, his sister Sherin, or his parents who are pushing him to take IELTS and head for Australia.

The novel opens with Manu admitted in the ICU, taken care of by a young nurse, Maria John. Her kindness makes him understand the depth of this unappreciated and overlooked profession. During this hospital stay, Manu recalls a puzzling letter he had discovered earlier by his ancestor, great grandmother Mariamma, at their ancestral home in Manthalir, Kerala, where his father had sent him to clear clutter as the house was to be razed.

This letter ignites a passionate quest for Mariamma’s tomb, as her death location was strife-ridden Tanzania. This leads Manu through the uncertain, undocumented paths of family networks, unknown people, and unknown countries such as Borneo, Singapore, and the USA, until he finally finds himself in Tanzania.

Manu learns that Mariamma Yohannan was a nurse, a pioneer in her village and in the field of nursing, who undertook an astonishing journey all the way to Singapore during the tumultuous World War II. She served as a military nurse for the British during WWII at the height of Japanese occupation in Borneo and Singapore. Her decision to embrace nursing and venture beyond her traditional confines was driven by an immense desire to care for and uplift her family – a quiet revolution in itself.

With one story, Manu unearths many remarkable narratives of the women in his family, all of whom had taken up nursing and travelled to various parts of the world, including the Middle East and turbulent Yemen. Like their predecessors, these nurses defied societal boundaries and expectations, and bore economic burdens.

Not only is this quest a desire to know his brave ancestor, it also becomes an awakening to his own life, instilling deep pride for the women in his family and eventually a concise goal to follow their footsteps. Manu’s personal journey of discovery parallels the reader’s understanding of Mariamma’s resilience and the profound impact of her life. This perspective helps the reader form a deep connection with the characters, making their struggles and triumphs personal.

Benyamin’s prose is gentle and lyrical, like a quiet conversation between individuals, a shared experience of the human spirit. The language is gripping, filled with thought-provoking sentences. The prose is interlaced with letters, oscillating between a diary and a mysterious search, keeping the reader on the edge.

Silent Journeys is replete with lessons about enduring love, the power of sacrifice, the quiet dignity of labour, and the impact of individual choices on an entire lineage. It teaches us about healing, not just physical wounds, but the deeper emotional scars that time and circumstance can inflict, and the wisdom of surrendering to life’s inevitable currents.

Silent Journeys is not just a historical account or a family saga; it is a compelling, unputdownable read bringing to light the extraordinary journeys of ordinary people.

Book Details
Publisher: Hamish Hamilton (Penguin Random House)
Language: ‎English‏
Hardcover: ‎301 pages
Price: INR 599
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