An excerpt from Varsha Varghese's 'Dear Author, You Are Wrong' depicts an 11-year-old girl named Avisha sending a scathing email to author Aparna about the book 'The House Behind the Mango Tree'. The piece highlights Avisha's detailed criticisms of the story's characters and plot choices. Published by Scholastic India, the book explores an unexpected correspondence sparked by the girl's honest feedback.
In the excerpt from 'Dear Author, You Are Wrong' by Varsha Varghese, young Avisha is shown immersed in reading during dinner, enjoying her mother's fish curry in yellow coconut gravy with green mangoes. Her mother comments that she might finish the book quickly, to which Avisha aims to complete it before bedtime.
Avisha, aged 11 years and seven months, had read 74 storybooks the previous year. Prompted by her English teacher, Geetha Ma'am, as part of a summer vacation reading list, she chose 'The House Behind the Mango Tree' by Aparna. Instead of writing a pretend letter in her notebook, Avisha locates the author's email and sends a real message, describing the book as "unputdownable but not in a good way."
Her main grievances focus on character decisions. She questions why Akka, aspiring to be a journalist, agrees to marry someone who suggests she become a teacher instead. Avisha writes, "Why did Akka agree to marry someone who told her that it would be better if she became a teacher? Why should she be a teacher if she wanted to be a journalist?"
She also criticizes Lakshmi's behavior toward Paati, whom she views as a "horrible person." Avisha wonders why Lakshmi strives for Paati's approval, noting that her own grandmother, Ammachi, would never force her to abandon a beloved activity. Despite an aunt's praise for the book, Avisha persists but finds it disappointing.
Aware her parents might deem the email "nasty," Avisha sends it anyway, driven by her strong feelings. This marks her first real letter to an author, following a failed attempt with another. Citing her four-week cyber safety course, she protects her identity by using an anonymous email. The excerpt, published by Scholastic India, sets the stage for an unforeseen exchange between the child and the author.
Keywords associated with the piece include children's books and fiction, emphasizing themes of reading and critique in youth literature.
