Poonachi

This is the story of Poonachi. A black goat with an existential crisis. This is her survival story. 
Poonachi is timid in size. Pure charcoal black in color. There is a number tag sticking out on her ear which certifies she isn't a threat to the government. Because you know goats can easily be a spy for other Countries. She lives with an old couple. Where the woman has affection for the goat. But Man being the man abstain any emotion toward the animal. 
When I started reading this book I expected a light-hearted story. Even I imagined the whole story in my mind like Disney classic Bambi. But I couldn't be more wrong, the story drastically took a dark turn and became an R-rated story. 
The goat saw life through all stages. 
Being a child- trying to understand the surrounding. With questions like Why other goats are discriminating between her and them? Why a nanny goat refuse to let her suckle her?
Being a teen- discovering the independence and what life she really desires. 
Being an adult- submitting herself to the circumstances. Falling in love. Longing for the one. 
And old age- consumed by the pain of memories the age brings with it. 
Murugan draws a very serene picture for you which looks very beautiful and lovely from afar. It's only when you get closer you see the horrific truths.
The novel artistically touches many moral and social issues and hiding them well behind a simple story. 
The one peculiar thing which I noticed how the humans in the book aren't named and it's only animals who have beautiful names.
Somewhere in the middle of the novel, I felt that how a black goat feels more human to me then all the other characters combined. It made me the question was that a black goat who fell at the end or a girl? 

4 / 5 stars.