Sameer Gudhate presents the book review of The Circle of Life by Sudha Murty
There are books that entertain you, and then there are books that quietly walk into your heart and stay there. The Circle of Life by Sudha Murty is one such book. Reading it felt like sitting down with an old friend over a cup of chai and talking about life — the dreams we once had, the people we met along the way, and how everything somehow comes full circle.
Sudha Murty, as we know her, is no stranger to touching lives with her words. From Wise and Otherwise to Grandma’s Bag of Stories, her writing has always been rooted in simplicity, emotion, and a deep understanding of human nature. In this novel, she returns with a story that isn’t just about five friends — it’s about all of us who’ve loved, lost, and found meaning in the bonds we cherish the most.
The story begins in 1999 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where five very different students — Uttara Rao, Janaki Paranjape, Arvind Shah, K. Subba Rao, and Sumitra Iyer — meet for the first time. What starts as casual camaraderie soon blossoms into a deep, unshakable friendship. Together, they navigate the pressure of academics, personal dilemmas, and the overwhelming uncertainty of the future. Before parting ways, they make a promise — to return to the campus 25 years later.
And when they finally reunite in 2024, it’s not just a meeting of old friends; it’s a quiet reckoning. Their lives, full of unexpected twists, triumphs, and heartaches, become a mirror for anyone who’s ever wondered: Did my life turn out the way I once imagined?
Sudha Murty’s writing has that rare gift — it’s simple but never simplistic. Her words don’t demand attention; they gently hold your hand and take you along. You don’t read her books; you feel them. She uses everyday language, yet her storytelling carries profound wisdom. The way she balances nostalgia with hope makes the narrative comforting, almost like revisiting an old diary filled with familiar handwriting and memories.
What makes this book shine is its characters. Uttara, Janaki, Arvind, Subba Rao, and Sumitra feel real, like the people you studied with or bumped into during a college reunion. Each one of them carries a distinct voice, shaped by their backgrounds, choices, and struggles. Through them, Murty explores universal themes — friendship, perseverance, and the bittersweet beauty of growing older.
The pacing of the novel is steady, almost reflective — like life itself. The narrative flows seamlessly between the past and present, making you feel the weight of time without ever losing its warmth. While the plot doesn’t rely on shocking twists, it thrives on quiet revelations that leave a lasting impact.
At its core, The Circle of Life is a celebration of enduring friendships. But it’s also a reminder of something we often forget in our busy lives: success, failures, and milestones may define parts of us, but it’s the people we walk with that give life its true meaning.
There were moments in this book where I had to pause — because it made me think of my own friends, the promises we made, and the laughter that still echoes in memory. It stirred nostalgia but also left me with hope.
What stands out most about this novel is its emotional honesty. Every page carries a sense of truth, and that’s what makes it so relatable — you don’t just read it, you feel it.
If there’s one thing some readers might find challenging, it’s the pacing. It’s not a book you race through. But maybe that’s exactly what makes it special — it encourages you to pause, linger, and let its quiet wisdom sink in.
or me, this book wasn’t just a story — it was a reminder. It nudged me to call an old friend, to laugh about the past, and to be grateful for the people who’ve stayed.
The Circle of Life is a warm, soul-stirring read that lingers long after the last page. If you’ve ever valued friendship or wondered how life brings us back to where we belong, this book is for you.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5 — A heartwarming reminder that in the grand story of life, friendships are the chapters we return to again and again.
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