PUNE: ‘Fishbowl’ is a story written by Varsha Seshan, which showcases grief and finding a way to heal. What’s different is that it’s a story in verse form! Pune’s Varsha Seshan is a popular children’s books author, and this is her fourteenth book – her fifth for middle-grade readers and her second book in verse!
“For a long time, Fishbowl was an idea in my head. Back then (2019 or thereabouts), I didn’t even think of writing in verse. As with ‘Uncontrollable’, I first wrote the whole book in prose. But Mahee’s parents are dead. She’s trying to cope with grief, guilt, a new family, a new school … more than any child should have to cope with. Would she have beautifully formed thoughts in structured prose? Of course not. And that’s how ‘Fishbowl’ in its verse form was born”, smiles Varsha.
Told in three distinct narrative voices, it is the story of a twelve-year-old girl, struggling to make sense of a world that seems to be crumbling around her. It is the story of grief and healing, loss and love.
“I am beyond grateful that it found a home with Sayoni Basu at Duckbill Books. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the brilliant cover by Isha Nagar is what draws people to it. The book, as of today, is out in the world, and I can’t wait for you to read it”, says Varsha.
The 288-page book published by Duckbill Books, which is an imprint of Penguin Random House India, is priced at Rs.299, and available at bookstores and on Amazon.
