IN THE space of a week, retired dentist Abraham Mamootil celebrated two milestones – his 91st birthday and the publication of his first novel.
After more than three years researching and writing, Abraham said holding a copy of Volunteer Mouse in his hands was the best birthday present he could have hoped for.
“It’s a very good feeling,” said Abraham, who has lived with his wife Molly at Murray Gardens Retirement Village in East Albury since 2009.
“My wife read it and thought it was very nice, but she doesn’t believe I wrote it!”
Abraham worked as a dentist for 50 years in India and Australia, but has always harboured a desire to become a published author – “but we had five children, so I had to look after them”.
“I didn’t have any free time until I retired in 1999 and I’ve been writing busily ever since.”
Volunteer Mouse tells a fictional tale of creation that incorporates anthropology, palaeontology and astronomy.
As well as writing the words, he spent six months illustrating the book.
Village manager Anne Jack said it was wonderful to finally see what Abraham has been working on for all these years.
“The entire Murray Gardens community is incredibly proud of his accomplishment,” she said.
The novel is just the beginning of Abraham’s writing career, and he is already working on his next project – a memoir of his long life.
“I’m getting older, but that won’t stop me,” he said.
- Volunteer Mouse, published by Notion Press, is available to buy online.
