Em and the Big Hoom is the story of Em noted down by her son through fragments of her memories.It talks of the trauma of growing up in a household with a mother who has bipolar disorder and how the narrator comes to terms with it. This was a Christmas gift from two dear friends from college, Elna and Ullas. Very happy to add this one to my book collection for it has an absolutely gorgeous cover in addition to a brilliant narrative. Thank you again!
The mysterious title and the beautiful cover makes this one an eye catching book. I spent a lot of time admiring the indigo stained edges of the pages and the small illustrations with myriad black lines on the cover. And there are tiny illustrations (more like doodles) inside too that accurately depict how muddled up Em’s mind is. The narrator’s mother, Em (Imelda) and father, the Big Hoom (called so because of the ‘Hoom’ sound he makes while talking) are the main characters.
Em shocks you from the very beginning with her wrist cutting, pill popping, electric shock treatments that leave scars on her head, beedi smoking, voices in the head and her stories to the children while admitted at the hospital. She knows she is unwell, but doesn’t know how to help herself, while the Big Hoom stands out as the silent, selfless support on which the while family leans on. The narrator tries to find the connection between the woman brought up in a strict Roman Catholic household, who once fell in love with a man at the office and later married him, who was apprehensive of a first kiss but eagerly waited to spend time with him at their favourite bookstore, who did not like the idea of having children to the woman he knows as his mother – who doesn’t frequent book stores, throws tantrums and later resigns to a calmer self. He tries to recreate her memories through her stories and few handwritten letters.
Em surprised me at every point, be it her open talks about sexuality with strangers or her frank advices to her daughter Susan when she starts seeing someone or the fact that she can become completely crazy and hours later transform into the most sane person ever. The narrator’s fears on being laughed at as a child escalate into fears that he may have the ‘mad’ genes as he enters adulthood which is when he traces back the journey of the Big Hoom from Goa to Mumbai and how he fell in love with the beautiful Em.
Em and the Big Hoom is the first novel by Jerry Pinto and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the restricted space of a small house at Mahim and a hospital bed, the author weaves a complex and wondrous story of love and acceptance and successfully urges the reader to embrace mental illness as a condition of life. The book is based on Pinto’s mother’s struggle with a neurological condition with some added fictional elements which makes you salute the bold attempt at writing as well as sympathize with the characters.
Though written in a simple language, Em and the BIg Hoom is a complex novel. You will often find yourself taken aback by Em’s perception of life and religion, making you think whether she is the sane one among the lot. Overall, it is enjoyable and ends with a pang in your heart for it is nearly impossible to discern where reality ends and fiction begins in the story.
Title: Em and the big Hoom
Author: Jerry Pinto
Published: 2013
Language: English
Pages: 240
Rating: 4/5
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Hi Resh, I am glad you liked it. ‘Em and The Big Hoom’ was one of my favourite reads of 2015. I was only sad that I read it on my Kindle. Now after seeing your pictures, looks like I have missed a lot. 🙂
Despite the demons in her head, and the mental illness that haunted her, Em brimmed with badassery. I loved her that way too.
Your review was amazing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Yeah, I agree with you. It is a well written book. I am sure if you ever decide to buy it you won’t regret it. The cover and the book page ends are so beautiful.