"I dream my stories before I write them. So writing a story is like the continuation of a dream for me."
Maxin James the novelist has just made his presence known. His debut English novel, "A Monk and His Girlfriend", tells the story of Karthik, a young monk who leaves the solitary heights of Himalaya in search of life and love.
The journey turns out to be a return to the sweet memories. The novel takes the reader through Karthik’s inward journeys and fantasies and leaves them at the doorstep of a new world that opens up before the explorer.
Maxin’s childhood in Madhya Pradesh was dominated by the angels from the bible stories his mother told him. Later, the Buddhist lore of the northern plains and fables from Vedas and Upanishads entered his realm of fantasies.
Maxin thinks Upanishads are as exciting as Harry Potter. He vouches that the youngsters have not moved away from the classics.
"Most books end with the last page. But books that lead you to self-discovery will always find readers," he says, taking in the positive reception of his book.
He misses his mother in this hour of achievement. Rosamma, who has been the first reader of her son's draft for more than six years, died on the day of his book release. Maxin’s book is a tribute to his mother.
"A Monk and His Girlfriend" is published by London-based Roman Books. Maxin, a company secretary at Muthoot Finance Limited, lives in Kochi.