I Came Upon A Lighthouse is a memoir by a millennial-Shantanu Naidu, on anecdotes of his journey, which through a ‘shared concern’ for animal welfare aligns with the philanthropist – Mr. Ratan Tata’s life; chronicling their endearing inter-generational bond.
The book, with its thoughtfully named chapters and heartening illustrations is a delight for bibliophiles, dog-lovers and readers wanting to know the warmer, sunnier side of the revered industrialist.
And, whilst the book adoringly brings the light-hearted bond between the two, Shantanu as a debut writer deftly connects his readers to the ‘millennial’ life too.
From chapters unfolding his empathetic endeavour, his brain child- ‘Motopaws’, to the ones where there are the jitters of initial meetings with Mr. Tata, and to some that recount his venturing into a new land far away from the warm cocoon of family-experiencing loneliness, self-doubt; yet making efforts to thrive amidst and despite that. (Not without his adorbs companion-Winter!)
I see it as a story of our times because the pages, not only bring the ‘sparks’ and the bright sides, but the vulnerability of the challenges that life brings to a ‘twenty-something’; and that perhaps is something every millennial would connect to!
Even though, its the beginning of the year, and this is my first book, I am truly confident in saying that it is one of the best books I have read in 2021. (Yes, I know this, for sure š
And, lastly, time for my Personal Award System for favorite books (yes, it exists), I would say that I call this little memoir as a ‘Mug Brownie’ read–warm, sweet, amiable, and just melts your heart š
Also, cannot appreciate enough how much I love the cover and joyous vibe of the book.