On September 2, 2025, Arundhati Roy unveiled her deeply personal memoir, Mother Mary Comes To Me, at St. Teresa’s College in Kochi. The event, organized by Penguin Random House and DC Books, marked the global debut of a work that explores Roy’s complex relationship with her late mother, Mary Roy—a pioneering educator and women’s rights activist.
A Memoir Rooted in Complexity and Love
In her memoir, Roy reflects on her mother’s multifaceted persona—both a formidable figure and a source of inspiration. Mary Roy was renowned for founding Pallikoodam, a progressive school in Kottayam, and for her landmark 1986 Supreme Court victory that secured equal inheritance rights for Syrian Christian women in Kerala. Despite their strained relationship, Roy acknowledges her mother’s profound influence on her life and writing.
Launch Highlights
During the launch, Roy addressed a packed auditorium, expressing her gratitude for the presence of her loved ones. She humorously remarked, “Almost everybody I love is gathered in this room. For a normal person, this would be her wedding or a funeral, but thank God I am not normal…” The event was held in the ‘Mother Mary Hall’ of the college, a poignant nod to her mother’s legacy.
Critical Reception
Critics have lauded Mother Mary Comes To Me for its candid and evocative prose. The memoir has been described as “brave and absorbing,” offering readers an intimate glimpse into Roy’s life and the complexities of her relationship with her mother.
Conclusion
Arundhati Roy’s Mother Mary Comes To Me is a testament to the enduring bond between mother and daughter, marked by love, conflict, and mutual influence. Through this memoir, Roy invites readers into her personal world, reflecting on the forces that shaped her as both an individual and a writer.
