About the Book
About the Book
I Have No Earthly Idea
Through a delightful series of slice-of-life vignettes spanning two continents, I Have No Earthly Idea explores the delicate balance between seeking security and following your heart. A refreshingly honest tale of love and heartbreak, S.K. Radhakrishnan’s novel is a must-read for anyone who loves romance and the medical profession.
Senthil, an earnest young physical therapist, and his sweetheart Sumathi make the best of their limited means to support their families and save up enough money to get married. But this isn’t enough, and Senthil ultimately makes the tough decision to move thousands of miles away from his beloved to gain financial security in America—a scene that glows with unwavering devotion and deep pathos.
In America, Senthil’s brilliance and compassion ensure he is loved by patients and colleagues. But just when the couple seems close to driving off into the sunset, down comes the axe—the very foundation of Senthil’s life suddenly vanishes, leaving him bewildered, depressed, and struggling with profound loneliness. And along comes the feisty, reckless Annabelle! She exposes a very different Senthil to us, a man haunted by his dark, depressing childhood…
You won’t find the contrived, saccharine ending of many pulp fiction romances here. But oddly enough, although you grieve with the hero, the book leaves you with a lingering smile. Good-natured to a fault, resourceful in tough moments, and charmingly witty, Senthil is a genuinely lovable character, and you desperately want him to triumph.
Several vignettes in I Have No Earthly Idea work beautifully as independent short stories, each transporting us to an entirely different, richly depicted scene—from the quaint cafes, temples, and streets of late-90s Madras to bright, orderly clinics and operating rooms. While the novel’s pace might be too slow for certain readers, the unconventional structure is clearly deliberate and has an immersive effect.
This is a story about a man who spends his life seeking security, only to lose the one thing he holds most dear. Although it’s filled with subtle, bittersweet irony, the novel is so warm and heartfelt that it leaves you feeling charmed, rather than melancholic.
Grab your copy now from Amazon at www.IHaveNoEarthlyIdea.com to learn more.
