'Sheela Tomy shares the searing tale of Malayali nurses who are trapped amidst incessant wars and destruction, toiling in the distant, mythical lands of Israel and Palestine. Sheela blends ancient myths and contemporary realities with dexterity, guiding readers along the paths once tread by Jesus Christ himself. She weaves a saga through a meandering narrative. This is a must-read novel given the disquiet pervading the Middle East today.'-M. Mukundan, winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award, JCB Prize and Crossword Book Award; named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres

'Jerusalem and the adjoining areas are beloved and holy to all the three Semitic religions. The religious powers have been battling it out for thousands of years-for domination over that piece of earth. Then, there is the resistance by the people-caught in between-who are fated to get injured, lose lives and become exiles. The stories of human suffering are never-ending, even if told and retold. Don't ask the river of sorrow her name.'-Benyamin, author of Jasmine Days; winner of the JCB Prize

'In this novel by Sheela Tomy, exquisitely translated by Ministhy, the life struggles of the ones not having a foothold on earth and forced into an exodus, merge with those fated to be refugees in their own land of birth. At a time when the world is splintered based on caste and religion, this book upholds the politics of humanity, reinforcing the need for a new world order.'-V.J. James, scientist; author of Anti-Clock; winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award

'Perhaps no other novel is so right for our times, and for all of us who are under siege.'-Arunava Sinha, award-winning translator

Sheela Tomy is a novelist and short-story writer,hailing from Wayanad, Kerala.

Valli, her debut novel, was awarded the renowned CherukadAward for Malayalam Literature in 2021. The English translation of Valliby Dr Jayasree Kalathil bagged the V. Abdulla Memorial Translation Award(2023). Valli was also shortlisted for the 2023 National TranslationAward from the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA), the JCB Prizefor Literature (2022), the Atta Galatta-BLF Book Prize (2022) and theGreenLitFest Honour Books Award (2023). Valli also bagged the Book of the Year Awardfor translation by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI) in 2023.

Sheela is also the author of a short story collection MelquiadesntePralayapusthakam (Melquiades's Book of Floods) published in 2012. She haswon several awards for her short stories, including the Abu Dhabi Arangu Award(2007), the Puzha.com Short Story Award (2008), Doha Sanskriti Award (2012),the Doha Samanwayam Award (2012), and the Kamala Surayya ‘Neermat