Rees Thomas at the New Book Stall in Muvattupuzha with a copy of Harry Potter and a book he has written | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
When the final installment of the Harry Potter series came out, the Deathly HallowsWhen the book hit the stores in 2007, Rees Thomas, a Class 9 student at Muvattupuzha school, was challenged by his classmates to get a copy of the much-awaited book. “They said I would never be able to get it. It was not about buying a copy, but about stealing one from a shop! I took it as a challenge. Stealing did not feel bad; those were the days Dhoom 2Assistant director from Malayalam film industry referring to heist film said Dhoom 2a part of sputter The film franchise, directed by the late Sanjay Gadhvi.
He made a perfect escape in a filmy manner when a bus heading towards his home came just at the time when he was coming out of a shop called New College Bookstall with the stolen copy.
Now in the present: Now, 17 years later, his first book in Malayalam, 90s kidis selling retail at New College Bookstall. Reese admitted it feels like a full-circle moment. When he visited the shop recently, the man at the shop recalled the incident after some prodding. “Honestly, even after all these years, I didn’t dare to go back. I didn’t know how they would react.” But all went well, and the owner was happy about it. He was even asked to sign copies of the book.
While there, Reese offered to pay for a Harry Potter book, but the owners refused to accept the money. “In the past few years, when I started earning, I wanted to pay for it, but I couldn’t force myself to do it because I was scared. This time, with a friend, I felt brave enough because my book was on sale there.”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time. It cost more than my family could afford. It was one way to get it,” Rees recalls, laughing. Ironically, he was introduced to the world of Harry Potter through the films “particularly Emma Watson. I hadn’t read any of the books. But there was so much buzz about the book that I just went along with it.” Getting the book made him a sort of hero at school.
Inspiration galore
moreover sputter Apart from films, books also inspired me. Thaskaran Maniyanpillayude Aatmakadha (Autobiography of Maniyan Pillai, a notorious thief).
Written in Malayalam, Rees’ book is a compilation of his writings posted on Facebook. Over the years, he has shared his experiences on his Facebook page, some of which were based on his travels. Whether it was pilgrimages to places where his favourite writers lived – like the house of Vaikom Mohammed Basheer or the house of detective novel writer Kottayam Pushpanath – or visiting Mumbai to watch a movie The brave hearted will take away the bride Darshan at the iconic Maratha temple; visit to Kanchanamala (the inspiration behind the Malayalam film) Ennu Ninte Moideen) are among the episodes that appear in the book. The Harry Potter episode is also included.
A comment on this post in 2020 said the book was stolen. “This book was stolen by Basiletan’s (actor/director Basil Joseph) sister Shinsi. Chechi Who said it would be real ‘heroism’ when you sell the book you wrote at that book stall. That random comment… it was prophetic!” Another FB friend donated money so that she could buy books for children who love to read but are unable to buy a book.
Reese at the New College Bookstall | Photo credit: special arrangement
The book came about by chance. A few years ago, a publisher approached him to publish a compilation of his works on Facebook. When that didn’t work out, he approached Mankind Literature, a Kozhikode-based publishing house. “I didn’t want to self-publish by paying money. I wanted the book to be published based on its content and significance. I am happy to share that the book is getting a second reprint.”
book love
An assistant director, film lover and avid reader, Reese translated a book written in German. Picture Your Big Love (Pictures of Your True Love) was written in English by the late German author Wolfgang Herrndorf so that he could read it. This unfinished book was a sequel to this book. Why did we buy a car? (German: Tschick), which was made into a movie. Reese had seen that movie and was curious to know what happened to the characters. After the author’s death, there was little chance of it being translated, so Reese found a copy in Germany, sent it to him, and translated it in 2020 using translation apps.
His book is called ‘Why? 90s kid? He replies, “Because the 90s were amazing; it was a time when technology hadn’t taken over the world. I have wonderful memories of my childhood and that time!” He often calls himself a ‘proud child of the 90s’.
About returning to the scene of the crime, Reese says, “It wasn’t so much a matter of remorse or regret. Like I said, it was a full-circle moment! I got signed copies of my book there!”
Does he regret stealing the book? “No, because I wanted the book so much, I loved it so much and that’s why I still have it. I didn’t take it to sell it or for fun. I wanted to keep it forever!”
The 90s Kid, priced at ₹269, is available on Mankind Literature website booklove.co.in.
