#Review: The Remnants of Rebellion by Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew

I found The Remnants of Rebellion to be a richly layered and emotionally resonant read. The setting—Kerala’s rubber plantations—is evocatively described, and I could almost feel the dense, green air of Puthuloor wrap around the characters. The plot skilfully weaves personal grief with political unrest, making the narrative both intimate and historically grounded. I appreciated how the story spans three generations, giving it a sense of depth and continuity.
The writing style is lyrical without being overwrought, which worked well for the themes of memory and loss.

However, at times, I felt that the pace faltered, especially when transitioning between timelines. A few characters, particularly from the present, could have been more fleshed out—they occasionally felt like vessels for the plot rather than fully formed individuals. That said, Aleyamma’s emotional turmoil felt authentic, and her journey of reconciliation was genuinely compelling.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its handling of the intersection between personal identity and political resistance. The legacy of colonization, the stirrings of Naxalite rebellion, and the tensions between tradition and autonomy are presented with nuance. I do wish, however, that certain parts of Eesho’s arc were more tightly edited—the backstory, while fascinating, occasionally overwhelmed the present narrative.

Overall, I think this is a promising debut. It’s haunting, atmospheric, and ambitious, and though not without its flaws, it left me thinking long after I turned the last page.

Find the book here.