Book Review- The Illicit Happiness of Other People by Manu Joseph

The great philosophical books often have open endings, allowing the reader to dive into their own emotions and imagination. After reading this book, my observation seems to have gotten stronger.

This was another read gifted to me by an office colleague, titled The Illicit Happiness of Other People by Manu Joseph. The book is a tragicomedy that explores human emotions and expressions in some of the most tragic, yet strangely normalized, lives.

Based on a dysfunctional Malayali Catholic family in 1990s of Madras, the story is dealing with the aftermath of their 17-year-old son Unni’s suicide. The plot includes his alcoholic father, Ousep, investigating the "illicit," mysterious reasons behind Unni’s final act, his wife Mariamma (who talks to walls), and their younger, insecure son Thoma. The book uncovers some deep and complex layers of genius, existential joy, and human secrets.

“Happiness is an unavoidable, almost 'illicit' destiny that people cannot escape.” This sentence made me deeply reflect. Because the idea that happiness is both unavoidable and somehow forbidden touches something deep in me. Part of me has always believed that happiness is my fate, that no matter what I do, I will eventually arrive there. But another part feels suspicious of it—as if being too happy is dangerous, as if joy must always be balanced by some kind of loss or punishment. I don’t fully trust happiness; when things go well, I sometimes brace myself, waiting for the inevitable backlash.

The other ideas of the author which remained with me - story vs. anti-story, corpse vs. anti-corpse- these few were artistically woven into the story ensuring maximum human emotions are captured.

Enjoyed is not the word for this read. I lapped it up in two sittings, engrossed and sated.

This is a “wonderful” book (with multiple trigger warnings for self-harm, suicidal acts, sexual assaults, strong words, bullying, domestic abuse, child neglect, alcohol addiction and graphic scenes).

Quote from the book-

"In this world, it is very hard to escape happiness."

"The secret to happiness is not to have any expectations from people. ... Especially from the people who matter the most to you."

"Ambition is the capacity for unhappiness."

"He grants himself the dignity of choice, as if there is another option. But then is there really any choice in the world? Could it be that every human action is merely an inevitability masquerading as a human decision, life granting dignity to its addicts through the delusion of choice?"

"But an idea that overrates human character is bound to fail. Look around, in every way of the world, only ideas that do not overrate human nature succeed."