Following Fish: Travels Around the Indian Coast

Following Fish chronicles a journalist's journey along India's coastline, exploring the relationship between coastal communities and seafood. Through nine standalone chapters, Subramanian visits different regions to document fishing practices, cuisine, and cultural traditions. The narrative moves from Bengal to Kerala to Mumbai and beyond, focusing on specific aspects of fish and fishing in each location. Topics include the pursuit of hilsa in Calcutta, the medicinal use of fish in Hyderabad, and the transformation of traditional fishing villages. The author combines food writing, travelogue, and reportage to document both the mechanics of India's fishing industry and the lives of the people who depend on it. He spends time with fishermen, cooks, traders, and others whose stories intersect with India's maritime culture. At its core, Following Fish examines how fish serves as a lens to understand broader changes in Indian society - from economic development to environmental challenges to the preservation of regional traditions.

Readers describe this as a food travelogue that goes beyond just fish dishes to explore coastal cultures and communities in India. Many appreciate Subramanian's storytelling approach that weaves together food, history, and character portraits of local people. Liked: - Rich details about regional fishing practices and traditions - Personal narratives of fishermen and vendors - Clear, engaging writing style - Mix of food history and cultural observation Disliked: - Some chapters feel longer than necessary - Technical details about fishing can become tedious - Limited coverage of northeast coastal regions - Focus sometimes strays from the central fish theme Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon India: 4.3/5 (50+ ratings) "The author's keen eye for detail and humor make this an entertaining read" - Amazon reviewer "More than just a food book - it's about people and their relationship with the sea" - Goodreads reviewer "Occasionally gets bogged down in unnecessary details" - Goodreads reviewer

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🐟 Author Samanth Subramanian traveled over 7,000 kilometers along India's coastline, exploring nine different states to research this book 🌊 The book delves into unique cultural practices like the use of fish medicine in Hyderabad, where live fish stuffed with yellow herbal paste are believed to cure asthma 🍛 One chapter explores Mangalorean fish curry's evolution through different religious communities - Hindu GSB, Catholic, and Muslim - each adding their own distinct flavors and techniques 📚 The book won the 2010 Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize and was shortlisted for the Andre Simon Award in the UK 🎣 Beyond just food, the book examines how fishing communities are adapting to modern challenges, including the impact of the 2004 tsunami and increasing commercialization of traditional fishing waters