The following books by Ramnath Subramanian are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lulu, and from various international distributors.
The Holy Man Trilogy
ISBN 978-1329912977
Linda Stevens came to Mala Nagar, India, to do research on the potters and clay-makers of that region. During her stay, the town is cast into national prominence because a holy man, who has taken up residence in an abandoned, burned-out house on Prayer Hill, starts performing miracles. Soon, with the guiding hand of the holy man orchestrating events, Linda becomes the central force in the life of a young orphan boy named Gopal. She also befriends the filmmaker Venkat Raman, who is producing a documentary about the happenings on Prayer Hill. Through an extraordinary catenation of miraculous events, Linda rescues a beggar girl named Qabila from the clutches of criminals and establishes the Miracle of the Rose Children’s Center. The books in this trilogy show how compassion, caring, and direct action can make a transformative difference in the lives of needy, lost, and dispossessed children. Funny, poignant, and richly clothed in humanity, they present a charming picture of Indian life and Indian culture.
Qabila Finds A Home
ISBN 978-1365500541
Linda Stevens came to Mala Nagar, India, to do research on the potters and clay-makers of that region. During her stay, the town is cast into national prominence because a holy man, who has taken up residence in an abandoned, burned-out house on Prayer Hill, starts performing miracles. Soon, with the guiding hand of the holy man orchestrating events, Linda assumes the role of a foster mother and becomes the central force in the lives of a young orphan boy named Gopal, and a homeless beggar girl named Qabila. Through an extraordinary catenation of events, -all inside the patchwork of miracles, -Linda becomes the manager of the Miracle of the Rose Children’s Center. This, the third book in a trilogy, shows how compassion, caring, and direct action can make a transformative difference in the lives of needy, lost, and dispossessed children. Funny, poignant, and richly clothed in humanity, the story presents a charming picture of Indian life and Indian culture.
Miracle of the Rose
ISBN 978-1387504923
“I’m amazed at how everything in life circles back to its origin to make a new beginning,” said Savitri. “Consider these circularities: A street-smart kid named Gopal connects with a holy man who has moved into a burned-out house on Prayer Hill, and helps him perform two miracles; Linda connects with Gopal; the holy man then uses Gopal to connect Linda with Raman and Kumortuli; a train journey to Calcutta to visit Kumortuli connects Linda with my husband; and now, there is the connection to the bookseller’s daughter. The center of all these circles, of course, is Mala Nagar. I think we’ll soon find out what the new circles are.” When will the holy man return to Prayer Hill, and will there be new miracles? What new paths will Linda Steven’s life take, and what role will Raman and Gopal play in these transformations? The story offers a window into the charms of Indian life, and points to the profound depths of religion and philosophy that underscore it. This is the second in a trilogy of novels.
The House on Prayer Hill
ISBN 978-1387695188
After suffering two divorces and realizing that she was a poor judge of men, Linda Stevens decides to pursue a degree in anthropology. The research project she selects,—Pottery and Image Makers of India,—lands her in the town of Mala Nagar, where a holy man and a 10-year-old boy named Gopal enter the circle of her life. The holy man who has taken residence in a burned-out house on Prayer Hill, performs two miracles,—almost reluctantly,—that put the town on the regional map. Linda also befriends the filmmaker Venkat Raman, who decides to produce a documentary about the happenings on Prayer Hill. The holy man talks to Gopal and no one else, and has him participate in the miracles, which make the young boy everyone’s darling in town. While capturing the special bond that exists between the holy man and Gopal, and between “Memsahib” Linda and Gopal, the story offers a window into the charms of Indian life, and points to the profound depths of religion and philosophy that underscore it. This is the first in a trilogy of novels.
Journey To A Second Spring
ISBN (978-1435780477)
For five years, Jake Johns made a living playing the stock market. He then started to dabble in craps at a Las Vegas casino, because he found comfort in mathematics and a sureness in numbers— elements which were missing in his 12-year marriage. During one of his gaming sessions at Drake’s Diamond Casino, he encounters Holly Simmons, who makes big bets and has a unique and reckless way of throwing the dice. Attracted to the “heretic shooter,” first by her play and then by the obtuseness of her personality, he manages to forge a friendship which makes him reevaluate his marriage and his life’s goals. Will he come out richer or poorer, smarter or foolish, from his new dalliance with gambling and a mystery woman? Holly soon becomes a Las Vegas celebrity because of her shooting style and the enormous success she enjoys at the craps table. She shoots with her eyes closed, and is often seen talking to herself before throwing the dice. People are convinced that there is an outside force that is guiding her hand. Who is Holly, the reclusive resident at the casino’s hotel, and what is the story of her life? Craps aficionados will enjoy this story as much as romantics, who believe in the eternal and otherworldly aspects of true love.
The Sariwallah
(978-1458390424)
Rachel Flynn came to India to gather material for her second novel. She settled happily in a charming town full of friendly people,—that is, until the anonymous notes started to arrive. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from the American woman. If you don’t heed this warning, things will get very nasty for you,” warned the first note, sent to a school master who had brought Rachel as a guest speaker to his classroom. As Police Chief Motilal proceeds with his investigation and starts connecting the dots, he discovers that there’s more to the notes than meets the eye. Who is writing the notes? What is the hidden motive behind them? Will Motilal uncover the plot before something serious happens? Along the way as the story unfolds, the reader is treated to some colorful characters and the infinite charms of Indian life.
The Bus to Agra
(ISBN 978-1716140785)
After finding out that her fiancé has been cheating on her, Jennifer Blaise runs away to India to seek a new direction in her life. On her flight to New Delhi, she meets widower, Kiran Patel, who invites her to stay with his family in Nana Nagar until she is able to find proper accommodations. Jennifer becomes fast friends with Kiran’s daughter-in-law, Radha, and is drawn to a homeless boy named Nanda. When she tries to enroll Nanda in school, she meets an independent journalist, Jai Jaiprakash, who becomes an important part of her life. Jai is shy when it comes to matters of the heart, and Jennifer has tossed romance aside after being jilted in love. Will the bus trip to Agra change things? What role will Nanda’s “mandir” rock, which he gives to Jennifer as a talisman, play in the outcome of events? Life in India—-with all its eccentricities, charms, and wisdom—comes to life in this endearing West-meets-East love story.
A Touch of Miracle
(ISBN 978-1-105-03274-5)
Sanjay, an orphan, who is living in Calcutta with his grandmother, has dropped out of college to write a novel. The temple town of Guruvayoor is the setting for his novel, and in the story it becomes a sanctuary for a young girl named Rani who has run away from home to avoid an unwanted marriage. A series of miracles at the temple reorient Rani’s life and strengthen her faith. As Sanjay is penning a story filled with miracles, he cannot account for some of the chapters he has written. Even though they are in his handwriting, he cannot remember ever writing them. His friend, Radhika, helps him in his literary pursuit and offers moral support. Together they tackle the mystery surrounding them and become the beneficiaries of small miracles themselves.
A Second Meeting
(ISBN 978-1-312-44746-2)
Kenneth, a successful businessman, whose wife died 19 years ago when she was just 23 years old, lives with memories of her, holding on to the philosophy that in one lifetime you can truly and fully love only one person. But what if life and death have dimensions and realities that are beyond our understanding? A series of discoveries, — many of them involving Susanna, a recently hired kitchen help who happens to be a prodigy with the piano—force Kenneth to rethink his philosophy and to reorient his life. While serendipity and happenstance play their hand, Amira, a piano coach to Susanna, seems to have the measure of the mysteries that are swirling around in the household.
Bridgit the Model
(ISBN 978-1-008-94297-4)
After suffering an unexpected betrayal by her photographer companion and lover, the media-savvy and much celebrated model, Bridgit, whose sensuous poses are displayed on billboards all across Europe, attempts to put her life back together. Chance encounters with a lost dog and a boy whom she befriended in an alley in Rome, act as catalysts for the “Mona Lisa of Advertising” to embark on a new path, while still pursuing fame. The story set sumptuously in Rome and Florence, filled with literary and artistic allusions, and powered by love, is one of transformation, transcendence, and triumph.
Zeek the Photographer
(ISBN 978-1-716-25588-1)
A novel about a failed marriage that takes forever to fold its wings, and an explosive, sensual relationship between a photographer and his hedonist model, set in Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Mainz, Florence, Rome and London.
The Message in the Rain: An otherworldly Love Story
(ISBN 978-1-716-06480-7)
A bereaved husband chases after the memories of his wife in a war-torn country, and receives signs and messages that point to a reunion on the ‘other side.’ Ian’s path intersects with those of a few people — enigmas themselves — who help to shed light on the mysteries embedded in the messages.
Prisms and Bells: A collection of poems
(ISBN 978-1-716-18592-2)
The knowledge of the sun that is young once only inspires us to bring wings and passion to all the things we wish to accomplish in life. At the heart of poetry is a desire to make language sing a different song than has been heard before. When and where it succeeds, poetry offers a new country on the map that is full of delectations.
Arrow and A Song: Essays on Language, Fine Arts, and Travel
(ISBN 978-1-716-26653-9)
Language should march with vigor and move like a minuet. Great art can melt away the world, and a great symphony can make the world stand still. Travel can take one to serendipity’s stations. These and other ideas are explored in this collection of essays culled from my newspaper columns published in the El Paso Times between 1998 and 2019.
A Melody Of Flying Flutes: Essays On People, Places, And Things, Remembered
(ISBN 978-1-716-19924-0)
I am happy when I see atoms dance. I like the conversation of strangers in new places. I like turning the pages of books, and going on new journeys to new places. I like to hear the whistle of a train leaving a platform, nudging the compass needle to a new resting place. I like the sound of a ship’s horn announcing a departure to a new destination. The sun shines with vigor. The river sings joyously. All is gold and blessed. These and other ideas are explored in this collection of essays culled from my newspaper columns published in the El Paso Times between 1998 and 2019.
Feathers 1,2,3: Essays on Nature and Animals
(ISBN 978-1716231384)
Welcome to the pyramid of the rose, the Danube of the wisteria, the towering peak of the ocotillo. Welcome, also, to the Taj Mahal of the peacock, the royal barge of the grackle, and the temple of the caparisoned elephant. These and other delectations from nature are explored in this collection of essays culled from my newspaper columns published in the El Paso Times between 1998 and 2019.
A Sprinkling of Pixie Dust: Essays on Education and Classroom Practices
(ISBN: 978-1-716-11611-7)
What lessons do green-haired boys teach us? What misadventures happen when a teacher allows his students to chase an invisible rabbit in search of a story? Can you have a boredom factor of 4, and still be successful in school? Is the crown on the king’s head what the spider saw? These and other ideas are explored in this collection of essays culled from my newspaper columns published in the El Paso Times between 1998 and 2019.
Education Matters 