This is a wonderful book for ardent fish lovers. Samanth Subramaniam’s first book, a travelogue of India’s coastline is a book to read. The writer manages to describe the different types of fish available in the coastal areas. He describes the people he meets, explains different coastal towns & Villages. He also goes into the details of different cuisines of coastal areas. But many Restaurants and Food joints are missing in the book. The book has not mentioned about Oysters & Mussels available in Mangalore, Karwar, Tellicherry, Mulki, Sastan, Honnavar all in the Arabian Sea. Also the author has not mentioned about the Mangalorean Konkani Cuisine with different types of fish. Mangalorean Konkani Dry Shark Fish Chatni (Kismuri), Dry Prawns Chatni (Kismuri), Ale piyavu ( Ginger- Onion) Curry, Phanna upkari (Fish Thadka), Crab Sukka & Oyster Sukka is also not mentioned. Since I am from Mangalore, I was expecting some details of the Mangalorean Fish curry. Also missing is Chepala Pulusu( Spicy Tamarind) & Fish Iguru of Andhra Konaseema is not mentioned.

The book feels like a collection of columns. This is not meant to be disparaging, in fact, the disjointed feeling mirrors somewhat accurately our own domestic travels whereby a relationship to a place is established over time and moves ahead in fits and starts. Part story-teller and part food porn writer, the love that the author has for the subject matter shines through. It is this love that allows the author to rise above the prescriptive enjoyment of fish that runs through the Calcutta fish eater. The chapter on the Paravas on the other hand is a ethnological study of a syncretic community and it is this variety that allows the reader to dip in and out of the book as one travels.

Very well written, the style and pace enjoyable.. The author has done justice to this rare topic depicting the Indian coastline and the lives woven around it..Be it a brief historical account of a certain fishing community or about lives, traditions and food He has an enthusiastic approach and truly a prized catch..

A lovely read. I especially loved the chapter on hilsa. I am bengali and the chapter was so funny and well written. Some of the chapters are slightly less interesting but then again the author's humorous manner of writing, manages to bring a wholesomeness to whole book. If you love fishes and want to know the little interesting facets about them, read this book. It is one astonishing book that also throws light into the fascinating things that goes on in our country. Overall an amusing read.

Not sure about the quality of paper. But timely delivery.

The travelogue by Samanth portrays a vibrant picture of the coastal cuisine of India. journeying across the many states that share our marine environs, the writer explores the cooking and the lifestyles of fish and their catchers. It is the first time ever that my mouth was drooling as I traveled and tasted food along with him through the lines of the prose. The pages of the book are filled with spices stories and fun.

One of the best travel books i have read in the recent past. A thoroughly enjoyable fare.

A gem of a book from Samanth Subramanian. With typical journalistic rigour he has brought to life not only the coastal fishing and fish consuming communities to life but has also given a detailed insight into the famous boat building industry of Gujrat and the quirky yet famous fish treatment for asthmatics in Hyderabad. This book surely is not a comprehensive guide to all the coastal and fishing communities of India but it does delve deep into some of them and in the process gives the reader an engrossing and interesting book.

Will enjoy if you love to Travel and have a 'Fish-tooth'

The vast stretch of our country that lies supine, with its legs stretching into the mouth of the sea and ocean is a land of diversity. The culture, traditions and even the food habits vary from place to place. However, there are also a few things that bind the different communities and the different people of this country. Fish is one such product that binds the different communities that stretch along the coastline of India-from Goa to Kolkata! The book, following fish, is therefore an interesting book delving into the different ways in which fish is treated and used by these people whose lives are touched by the coastline of India. Thus we have the tradition of fish being used to cure Asthma in Andhra Pradesh, to the way fish is intricately associated with tourists and tourism in Goa and how it has been turned into an allied industry in Gujarat, even though th product fish is not eaten in Gujarat.

A wonderful book to read. Unlike travel books which tend to degenerate into too much description of facts, the humour particularly helps to kepe the interest rivetted and one doesnt feel the need to skip any page.

As a fish lover, i noticed that the author has avoided talking of fresh water fishes-those that are found in the many rivers criss-crossing through the plains of India. Nevertheless, its a throughly njoyable book and those who love to know more about India and its culture will find the book vey interesting. Highly recommended!

Very interesting

This is a travelog and foodie expedition around the coast of India. It is written in a breezy, generally readable style and gives some fascinating scenes, recipes, and personal descriptions. I would like to have known more about fish and fishing but that is my hobby.

A unique and refreshing book from the author of "The divided island " every chapter brings out a different flavour.

Evocatively written. Lovely description of not just but the entire culture, sub-culture and colour of the people and region. A rather nice travel book.