Why I Picked This Book

It’s funny how sometimes a book cover or title calls out to you. That’s exactly what happened with Poonachi: Or The Story of a Black Goat. The title intrigued me, and I decided to give it a try. I read the first paragraph of the preface and instantly knew this was going to be an unusual and thought-provoking read.

“How long can an untold story rest in deep slumber within the dormant seed? I am fearful of writing about humans, even more fearful of writing about gods. I can write about demons, perhaps. Yes, let me write about animals.”

That was enough for me to take the plunge. And I’m glad I did.

The Book

Poonachi is the story of a small, weak black goat gifted by a mysterious man to an old farmer. The farmer and his wife, though poor and struggling themselves, raise her with care. The old woman nicknames her “Poonachi” after a kitten she once loved.

What follows is a journey of survival against odds—of a goat who is different from the rest, of her place in the herd, of her relationships with her owners and other goats. Told through Poonachi’s eyes, it’s a life story that begins at birth and ends at death, and in between, it captures village life, human nature, and everyday struggles with gentle precision.

More Than a Goat’s Tale

Perumal Murugan uses Poonachi’s life to reflect the condition of women—how they navigate restrictions, endure discrimination, and yet keep going. There’s sharp social and political commentary woven in, often with understated humor.

One such moment is when villagers, waiting to register their goats with the government, whisper:

“Speak softly, sir. The regime has ears on all sides. There’s an old saying that the regime is deaf. It’s deaf only when we speak about our problems. When we talk about the regime, its ears are quite sharp.”

Lines like these stay with you.

Writing Style

Murugan writes with a quiet rhythm, letting moments breathe. The pace feels like village life itself—slow but steady, never rushed. The translation by Kalyan Raman deserves special mention for retaining the earthy feel and subtle emotions of the original Tamil.

What I Liked

• The way an animal’s life becomes a metaphor for human society.
• The effortless blend of political, social, and emotional themes

Final Verdict

Poonachi is a simple story with profound undercurrents. It’s a portal into rural Tamil Nadu—its people, its struggles, and its uncelebrated resilience. It’s a reminder to notice the lives we often overlook.

A must-read.

About The Author

Perumal Murugan is the author of six novels, four collections of short stories and four anthologies of poetry in Tamil. Three of his novels have been translated into English: Seasons of the Palm, which was shortlisted for the Kiriyama Prize in 2005, Current Show and One Part Woman. He was a professor of Tamil at the Government Arts College in Namakkal before taking to writing full-time.