Vaidehi Srinivasan tells us why Prabhu Vishwanatan’s book Paati Goes Viral is both comforting as well as realistic in this review. 

With its striking, nuanced portrayals of family, social media, and collective strength, Prabhu Vishwanatan’s Paati Goes Viral is all but unforgettable. Although written in a digestible way, it explores profound themes of grief, helplessness, and change through the story of a young Dhruv’s efforts to support his dear grandmother during a difficult time. Vishwanatan’s vivid, heartwarming prose is enhanced by Prashant Soni’s detailed yet playful illustrations, making for a tale that is nothing short of riveting. 

While sanguine, this book stays firmly realistic, teaching the reader an important lesson: even when circumstances seem bleak, one must remain not only perseverent, but hopeful. This realisticness feeds into the story’s relatability, which not only helps solidify its core message, but also provides the reader with a sense of comfort. 

Vishwanatan’s attention to detail is evident in his descriptions, which aid him in creating cohesive, believable scenes that are enthralling in spite of them being so simply written. Moreover, his embracement of the Tamil language, seen through the book’s inclusion of words such as ‘kanna’, ‘chellum’, and ‘paapa’, lets pride swell in the hearts of his readers from the South. 

Overall, this book delivers on all fronts – its plot, characters, and atmosphere blend together to create a lasting impression on the reader. Being meaningful, authentic, and hard to put down, Paati Goes Viral is a perfect read for those wanting a book whose impact stretches beyond its pages. 

Vaidehi is a Grade 11 student from Bombay International School.