‘You’: M Mukundan’s new novel weaves the tale of an unbidden beginning and determined departure

At the heart of You is the epigraph, quoting Dr Heidi Henson, a dedicated advocate for Death with Dignity in Massachusetts who worked tirelessly to raise awareness for the disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). While there are several authors and works discussing the topic of euthanasia and its legal, ethical, medical, social and emotional impact, M Mukundan’s novel is striking for its focus on a single experience surrounded by stories coaxed from memory and history.

“There are a few people around me who live an uncelebrated life, like me.”

A plan of death

On the Friday morning of November 14, we meet CV Unnikrishnan, who travelled to the city from Kundachira to hold a press conference. Initially disappointed by the lack of attendance and the general dismissiveness of the barely-there audience, Unnikrishnan announces that he will die on the 16th of the next month and would like the reporters to spread the news. The result of such an announcement is incredulity, followed by the belief that this is the unexplained ramblings of a senile old man.

After returning from the press conference, Unni’shna, as he is referred to from now on, is hounded by a young woman named Parvathi, or Paru, forthcoming with her editorial assignment of finding...

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