One of my favorite books in 2023. This will be my selection for the 2023 Roundabout. Enjoy!

Off to the first reader...Enjoy your journey little book...

Arrived this morning. Now I can begin!

Interesting start to the Roundabout. Meena’s circumstances are tragic. Smeta’s reasons for leaving India are also tragic. Change from within is their only hope, so I am left feeling devastated but helpless. Why are there so many cultures that treat their women so badly?
My only unhappiness with the book derived from the Smeta/Mohan relationship. It felt shallow and rushed.
As always it was great to meet a new author. Thank you.

Going to Dark-draco, the next in line.

Received - thank you :)

This is why I love this roundabout so much, as this not a book I would have picked up in the normal course of things, and I would have really missed out. Of course, this is a tragic story in so many ways - despite the beautiful way that the author writes, what she is describing in the India around the characters is heartbreaking and horrific. Here, the idea of Honor, of saving face, of believing someone else is making a fool of you, leads to the ultimate betrayal - murder, mutilation and the perpetuation of ignorance. And this goes for both Meena's and Smeta's story.

The trouble is, as a reader, you are left feeling frustrated, helpless, even depressed but also with that weird feeling of 'well this wouldn't happen here'. The author even mentions this in the book, where Smeta is coming to terms with writing the story for her American audience.

A very good read, despite not being my 'thing'.

Off to the next reader on the roundabout

This arrived yesterday.

When I started this and realised it was set in India, my heart sank. No doubt it would mean a story that would leave you feeling frustrated, angry and many other things. I started it with qualms but eventually it made me want to keep reading. This is by no means an easy read and the subject matter is at times horrifying with some of the violence portrayed being very graphic.. We are confronted with misogyny and ‘good reasons’ why the men are excused for their behaviour which did make me angry. However it is beautifully written and well worth the read.

Sending on in the roundabout.

Thank you, sounds like an interesting read!

A really hard-hitting story about whether love can overcome barriers. Summoned to India, her childhood home, when a good friend is injured, journalist Smita isn't expecting to be asked to take over a story. Meena, burnt alive by her family for marrying a Muslim, has been left horrifically crippled and disfigured with a young child to care for. Now a human rights lawyer is helping her to sue her brothers - though no one will come forward as a witness. Shannon's friend Mohan goes with Smita as her driver and translator. Mohan, from a wealthy family, sees only the good in India, but time with Smita gradually opens his eyes to the divides and horrific injustices around him, while Smita, forced to flee to America by the hostility of her neighbours, starts to see the beautiful side of the country as she grows closer to Mohan. A great read.

Posted today to estelle1806.

Received, thank you.