Book Review: ‘If Elephants Could Talk’ by Ranjeeta Raam

Book Title: If Elephants Could Talk
Author: Ranjeeta Raam
Publisher: Hachette India
Number of Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-9357315821
Date Published: Apr. 17, 2025
Price: INR 388

Book Review

“If Elephants Could Talk” by Ranjeeta Raam is a tender, soul-stirring novel-in-verse that dances its way into your heart. At its center is Meenakshi, a young girl in Kerala who hasn’t spoken since her mother passed away. Grief wraps around her like a heavy shawl, but it’s through the rhythm of classical dance and a profound bond with a gentle temple elephant named Ganeshan that she begins to unravel her silence. Raam takes readers on a journey that’s not just about healing from personal loss but also about stepping up to protect the voiceless—in this case, the often-abused temple elephants of India. The emotional arc of the story is stitched together with both delicacy and purpose, making this an unforgettable coming-of-age tale.

The real magic of this novel lies in its lyrical storytelling. Ranjeeta Raam doesn’t merely craft verses—she sculpts emotion, layering imagery and metaphor to bring Meenakshi’s world to vivid life. Her words carry the ache of grief and the weight of memory, as seen in lines like “layer upon layer of feelings, all shrivelled up like tender crusts on old wounds,” or the quiet heaviness of “my father’s eyebrows sag like two heavy sacks filled with wet sand.” There’s a graceful intimacy in her writing, yet it carries a universal resonance. Though the story is set in India, its emotional truths and cultural textures ripple far beyond, making it a deeply moving experience for both young and adult readers.

Meenakshi’s story is more than just a tale of personal growth—it’s a quiet but determined call for empathy. As she finds her voice, she uses it not for herself alone but to challenge the injustice suffered by elephants kept in captivity. This is where the book’s message becomes larger than life. It’s about advocacy, resilience, and how sometimes, the loudest voices come from the quietest places. The scenes between Meenakshi and Ganeshan are so vivid and tender, you can almost hear the rustle of the forest leaves and the slow, wise breathing of the elephant beside her.

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Though written for middle-grade readers, “If Elephants Could Talk” transcends age with its emotional richness and lyrical simplicity. Adults will find themselves just as engrossed, perhaps even more moved by its layered storytelling and poignant commentary on animal rights. It’s a book that speaks gently but firmly, asking us to listen more closely—to the silences of grief, to the quiet strength of children, and yes, to the elephants who could talk, if only we’d learn to hear them.

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