The Thinnai was originally penned in French by Ari Gautier, but I delved into the English rendition skillfully translated by Blake Smith. This captivating tale unfolds in the charming fishing village of Kurusukuppam, not only offering a window into Pondicherry’s past and present but also whisking readers away on a journey spanning from a quaint village in northern France to the Maldives, various parts of coastal India, and even the Caribbean islands.