Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Books

This is one of the best books I have read. I loved the Indian culture connection.I loved it when they went back in time.It is an amazing book.

After picking up her first book in the series, I knew I had to find out if I could find the sequel. I really love her style of writing, spare yet there are no loose ends in the story line. The story is tight and smooth, the characters are richly imagined-although the main character Anand is the focus of most of the character development. This is a happy fantasy series about magic and adventure in historical India that you won't want to miss and will draw you in regardless of your age, with positive morals and themes that are great for children. If you like books like Harry Potter, you'll love this.

With rich, sumptuous detail and admirable clarity Chitra Divakaruni draws us into the Conch Bearer Anand's journey for a second time. The difficulties faced and lessons learned by the Brotherhood of the Conch in this newest book combine to create an enchanting story. Both The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming provide vibrant descriptions, especially concerning culture and food. These books are delightful adventures wholesome enough for any age group to enjoy. Happy Reading

This book, the sequel to The Conch Bearer, mixes the sense of excitement that every book needs, a wonderful use of magic realism (which is illustrated by the fact that Anand, the main character, travels from the present day India to the ancient India, who'se realistic features are marred by the fact that Anand is a magician) , an overhanging gloom and really, really, really great writing.

This was one of my favorite books and I would definately recommend it to anyone!!!

Anand is the Keeper of the Conch. He gave up his family and his home so that he can help the world, as a Healer in Silver Valley. His friend Nisha comes with him, the first ever female healer, and the master healer Abhaydatta is one of his instructors. As Anand struggles with his studies, he hears a warning from the wind and views an alarming scene on a wall. The Healers must take action; they know it is their duty to protect the world from the "evil that stirs." Abhaydatta and a young healer called Raj-bahnu embark upon a quest to find this evil, leaving a heart-broken Anand behind. However, just before he leaves, Abhaydatta gives Anand a pearl necklace that will change color if he is in danger. In yet another alarming scene, Anand views Abhaydatta beside a lake with an unconscious Raj-bhanu at his side. He knows they are in danger, but the pearls are nowhere to be found. The Healer's Council will decide upon a course of action in the morning, but Anand knows that by then it will be to late. The Conch agrees to transport Nisha and Anand to the lake, but something goes slightly awry. Can Anand find the Conch, Abhaydatta, and Nisha before evil destroys the world?

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming expresses just how powerful love can be. Adventure, fantasy, and mystery intertwine to form an exciting novel with many important lessons. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has created a world of fantasy that involves so many of life's true feelings and emotions that it seems real; a world full of hardships and triumphs. Readers young and old who love an exciting novel will definitely enjoy The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, and anyone searching for a book with just the right blend of fantasy and reality has just found the perfect tale.

(...)

This is one of the best books I have read. I loved the Indian culture connection.I loved it when they went back in time.It is an amazing book.

After picking up her first book in the series, I knew I had to find out if I could find the sequel. I really love her style of writing, spare yet there are no loose ends in the story line. The story is tight and smooth, the characters are richly imagined-although the main character Anand is the focus of most of the character development. This is a happy fantasy series about magic and adventure in historical India that you won't want to miss and will draw you in regardless of your age, with positive morals and themes that are great for children. If you like books like Harry Potter, you'll love this.

With rich, sumptuous detail and admirable clarity Chitra Divakaruni draws us into the Conch Bearer Anand's journey for a second time. The difficulties faced and lessons learned by the Brotherhood of the Conch in this newest book combine to create an enchanting story. Both The Conch Bearer and The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming provide vibrant descriptions, especially concerning culture and food. These books are delightful adventures wholesome enough for any age group to enjoy. Happy Reading

This book, the sequel to The Conch Bearer, mixes the sense of excitement that every book needs, a wonderful use of magic realism (which is illustrated by the fact that Anand, the main character, travels from the present day India to the ancient India, who'se realistic features are marred by the fact that Anand is a magician) , an overhanging gloom and really, really, really great writing.

This was one of my favorite books and I would definately recommend it to anyone!!!

Anand is the Keeper of the Conch. He gave up his family and his home so that he can help the world, as a Healer in Silver Valley. His friend Nisha comes with him, the first ever female healer, and the master healer Abhaydatta is one of his instructors. As Anand struggles with his studies, he hears a warning from the wind and views an alarming scene on a wall. The Healers must take action; they know it is their duty to protect the world from the "evil that stirs." Abhaydatta and a young healer called Raj-bahnu embark upon a quest to find this evil, leaving a heart-broken Anand behind. However, just before he leaves, Abhaydatta gives Anand a pearl necklace that will change color if he is in danger. In yet another alarming scene, Anand views Abhaydatta beside a lake with an unconscious Raj-bhanu at his side. He knows they are in danger, but the pearls are nowhere to be found. The Healer's Council will decide upon a course of action in the morning, but Anand knows that by then it will be to late. The Conch agrees to transport Nisha and Anand to the lake, but something goes slightly awry. Can Anand find the Conch, Abhaydatta, and Nisha before evil destroys the world?

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming expresses just how powerful love can be. Adventure, fantasy, and mystery intertwine to form an exciting novel with many important lessons. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has created a world of fantasy that involves so many of life's true feelings and emotions that it seems real; a world full of hardships and triumphs. Readers young and old who love an exciting novel will definitely enjoy The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, and anyone searching for a book with just the right blend of fantasy and reality has just found the perfect tale.

(...)

I would like to say that this novel is breathtaking in its simplicity, however, it is the complexity and depth of the characters that draws you in. The relationship between the two main characters (and their families and culture) is arresting and beautifully drawn. I especially appreciated how the story provided a glimpse into the world of women whose lives are often bound by traditions that our modern culture often dismisses. With its solid writing and emotional depth, this book makes you feel what these women experience. I left this book feeling as though I had known these women and through them, learned something about a culture that I previously knew little about.

Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
The story of two "sisters"-- in fact, distant cousins-- who grow up in the same household along with a family secret, mysteries, and a number of strong personalities. The young women are dear friends. The tensions around them cause them to separate and....? Set in India and the United States. Beautiful language. You feel like you're in India.

I loved this book. I brought it on my honeymoon and read it in 3 days...great character involvement that emotionally connects you to the story and the culture. I gave this book to my sisters for christmas as well as all my aunts...You will not regret reading this book...and I guarantee you will want to pass it on to share.

"Sister of my heart" is a real page turner. I simply couldn't put it down and read it in one day. The story evolves around two girls and whenever I think of them, they remind me of how identical twins must be. The relationship between the two girls is the main intriguing quality of the book but it also offers romance, betrayal and adventure. Definitely a must read and another one of our book club favorites.

Set in a world of harsh reality, Anju and Sudha Chaterjee, two women born as cousins who assume the roles of sisters, attempt to brighten their short-lived days with their imaginations. In Calcutta, India, where they live, the Chaterjees are known as an upper caste family, despite the shame of not having a male figure in their house. But even their high status doesn't hide their dwindling wealth and Anju and Sudha's mothers' desperate attempts at changing that. With personalities and minds as different as the sun and moon, Anju, the intelligent one, and Sudha, being beautiful, create stories of princesses, their princes, and hope. Hidden in these intricately twisted tales are their own sorrows of money, family, education and even jealousy. Chitra Divakaruni's purpose of this spellbinding tale is to show how even in the challenging parts of our lives, if we stay with those we love and remain hopeful, the time will pass, and the good times will come. But it is not a promise that there will only be a few hard times in life, because for every yin, there is a yang, meaning that everything is balance, and we are constantly being tested to see how well we can manage in the tricky game called life.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an award winning author as well as a poet. With the publication of over 50 magazines, including The Atlantic Monthly and The New Yorker, she is a world renowned author. In fact, her books have been rewritten in sixteen different languages, including Hebrew, Russian, Japanese and Dutch. Being torn between two cultures herself, Divakaruni usually writes of the immigrant experiences of Indians when they come to America. Also, all of her main characters are women. She decided to write about women and their encounters in life as they come from conservative India to the land of the free, America. After leaving India, Divakaruni came to America and studied in Berkeley. Here was where she volunteered at a woman's battered home, at which her first interest in the topic of battered women arose. She then started a group organization called Maitri, which led to her first series of books which are stories of women faced with abusive marriages who confront them with new found courage. As time went on, she wrote various stories through different feminine points of view, which led to two of her most acclaimed novels, one of them being Sister of My Heart, which were made into feature films.

Of all the detail put into this novel, Divakaruni has definitely achieved her goal of this story. Its points of conflict, confrontation, betrayal, secrets, and shocking surprises leave the reader gaping at the twists and turn of events. Not only is it an interesting book for pass time, but it is a great explanation of morality and its reasons. It cleverly explains the troughs of life and how everyone has their own way of jumping past them by explaining how two women, close enough to be sisters, change their lives in their own ways, with their own goals and grieves, and their own answers.

Sister of My Heart is a wonderfully written story for anyone to read because it provides life lessons tied together with rarely found culture. It is also a small view in to the large and demanding world of Indian society and its indirect impositions and demands. It also shows a deep link between two women who cannot even be considered sisters, but end up being the two halves of one bond that is tested repeatedly with secrets, lies, passion and love. But finally, Anju and Sudha realize that there is nothing that could possibly break them because, in the end, they are sisters, best friends, and each other.

My freshman English class in college was required to read another of Divakaruni's books, Arranged Marriage. I enjoyed it, so my professor loaned me this one. Wow. It's an amazing book, and Divakaruni is an amazing writer. The way she delves into the human psyche is stunning. This is a must-read.

Brilliant book! such moving stories with an artistry of language that makes me feel Ms Banerjee is a poet trapped in a novelist's body. Comparison's to Jhumpa Lahiri are inevitable and that should serve as a good judge of the depth of this book. In my humble opinion, her writing is BETTER than Ms. Lahiri... the same deftness and poetic nuances without the pretentiousness.
Bravo!

If you do have a hunger to learn about other cultures this book presents some aspects of the Indian culture. I am not Indian, but I am curious.
In an egoistical fashion I declare I find myself in these short stories. In a more general fashion I believe many women will find themselves in these stories. Newcomers to the US, mothers in law, daughters in law, some especially the ooh so much in a rush mothers, and perhaps even a few young women in love. For all the others I would like to suggest to read these stories so as to better understand your relatives, your neighbors and why not yourselves.
I think this is a book that speaks to women, about women. I am glad such a book has been printed, finally.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is an excellent author and her works captivate and cause one to reflect. In particular, this body of work illuminates painful consequences to sometimes innocent choices...or lack of any choice. This should appeal to any reflective person.

While I like Divakaruni's accessible style and simple narration, this book's content leaves a lot to be desired. Divakaruni is good at exposing the, all-too-easy to talk about, conflicts of Indo-American values and does so with a mostly honest voice; however she fails to illuminate, evoke empathy or redeem...

The pulls of Indian tradition are familiar, at least to an Indian audience, so there is nothing new there but if one hopes that the heroines (mostly) will find SOME settlement or form of redemption or even ATTEMPT to find new directions then you're sure to be sorely disappointed. There is no new ground here.

In fact far from finding their own unique answers or even making an attempt at them or, much less so, making peace or even some kind of a compromise with their lives her characters are left as they began, quite bereft of inspiration, hope or imagination - and unforgivably boring!

Many of the stories are shockingly inane in that some of the conflicts are just plain banal and you can't help but wonder why you should care about these people at all esp. if they cannot even face basic irrationalisms of their lives (one example - the young woman who reaches out to but ultimately fails the older woman being accused of being a bearer of bad luck).

The other big problem is that there is not sufficient depth in the stories nor enough complexity in the characters (development) to help one understand the forces behind the protagonists' paralysis.

Overall, most of the stories in this book are unfortunately such that they leave the readers with more ennui than empathy and much less understanding.

Like the stories of "American Girl" series, Victory Song provides a glimpse of a tumultuous time and place through the eyes of a brave and spirited heroine. I'm not sure how realistic it would be for a 12-year old Indian girl in 1939 to run away from home dressed as a wandering minstrel and help her father break out of prison. However, it makes a great story. Victory Song deals with some challenging historical issues without unseemly language or "inappropriate" material, so it's a good choice for preteens who have moved beyond simpler stories. It's also a very readable introduction to a part of history that most American kids never hear about. Five stars for Neela!
Janet Gingold
author of Danger, Long Division

This book is about a girl who is afraid of getting married, and also shows a bit of the struggle over India's independence. Quite frankly, the characters are generic and the plot is chichéd. I give it two stars because it DOES show emotion, and it DOES have a plot, but both are a bit flat and standard.

This book contains quite a bit of information about the politics of India at a very tumultuous time; the information is presented in a way to make it extremely accessible to young women, which is an impressive feat. It seems to me like a lot of the Pleasant Company's main characters are somewhat rebellious, which makes them more attractive to a modern audience but also probably makes them less realistic. However, supporting characters, like Neela's sister in this book, let us view what more traditional young women would be doing as the action (in this case, Neela risking everything familiar to save her family and help her country) took place.

The year is 1939. Twelve-year-old Neela Sen wants nothing more than to please her mother after her fifteen-year-old sister, Usha, is married and moves away, but from the night of the wedding, the only thing she appears to be able to do is disappoint. Neela wants to obey her parents, but it is hard for her to think about settling down and getting married, when the only thing she wants to do is climb trees, play with her cow, Budhi, and learn everything she possibly can. And getting married will compromise all of that for her. However, when Freedom Fighters arrive at Usha's wedding, demanding that everyone donate a piece of jewelry, and hand over some money to support the cause to free India from Britain's rule, Neela begins to look further into the problems facing her beloved country. The problems that will certainly affect her in the future, even if they are not directly affecting her now. But then Neela realizes that she is being affected by India's fight for independence. For, soon after Usha's wedding, her father reveals that he will be going to Calcutta to march, and learn more about the problems affecting the world around them. Neela knows that her father will be fine, as he is a strong, kind man. But when he doesn't return home after one week, when he is expected, she begins to worry. She just knows that something horrible has happened to him, and decides to do the unthinkable...run away from home, leaving her mother to fend for herself, to search Calcutta for her beloved family member. While the world is a big, lonely place for Neela almost instantly, with the help of the relatives of a Freedom Fighter whom she helped escape from danger, Neela is able to integrate into upper class society, and learn more both about British rule, the fight for independence, and information regarding her father's whereabouts. Now, however, Neela must confront natives who have turned against their own kind, in an attempt to reunite her family, and save the only country she's ever known and loved.

I know very little about India. From its culture, to the Indian's fight for independence from Britain. However, since reading Neela's story, I feel as if I have walked away with a mind full of information that was not there prior to picking up this book. Neela is such a wonderful character. Full of spirit, and curiosity. Her transformation from an immature child to an educated, brave young woman is amazing to see happen before your eyes. Neela was determined from page one, and found the inner strength to strike out on her own during a time that was full of danger and uncertainty, and attempt to accomplish a task that seems so far-fetched for a girl of her age. A girl who was victim to a time when women were considered second-class citizens, and didn't have the same rights as men. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni paints a remarkable picture of the times of 1939. Her descriptions of the landscapes, and the lavish feasts and accommodations people of Neela's class, and those of higher officials, participated in on a regular basis were interesting to learn about, and really make readers think twice about the poverty that some people during those times experienced. NEELA: VICTORY SONG is a delightful addition to the GIRLS OF MANY LANDS series that brings India to life - taking readers on a cultural adventure.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This book is excellent! Neela, who is adventurous and brave (something very important in a good heroine), takes a dangerous trip to try to save her father with the aid of an intriguing freedom fighter during the era of protest over British rule. Every girl I have recommended this title to loved it, and I can't see why anyone would think this book is just "about a girl who doesn't want to get married" (like my fellow reviewer). I recommend it without reserve. It is an exciting story, that will interest the reader in Indian culture.

The story of the Mahabharata is full of mystery and intrigue - philosophical and yet full of very practical advice that transcends time. It is just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. Chitra Divakaruni has taken a central story of the Mahabharata and given us Draupadi's point of view. The story is as much about human relationships as it about subterfuge in war and politics. It is the human story which in the end is gripping and holds the reader's attention. I would find myself sneaking off to read the next few pages as I didn't want to put the book down. And finishing the book, I felt like I was saying goodbye to an old friend - like girl-friends after a long gab session, sharing your secrets and having a good time.

With flowingly exqusite words the author makes this ancient epic come alive for modern readers. I couldn't put it down yet when I neared the end I began to slow my pace of reading because I knew I would be sad to lose this magic world Divakaruni had created. This is something that has happened only rarely to me as I am usually eager to start a new book. Exciting, twisted, great love, it is all spread out here to feast upon.

I grew up listening to stories from the Mahabharat and the Ramayana from my grandmother. She would tell them to me at various times of the day, but mostly at night, trying to put me to sleep. But the stories were so captivating, I tried to stay awake as long as I could to stretch them out. Reading this book took me back to that time. Here is a book written in a woman's voice, telling us in a very earthy, no-nonsense, sometimes naive, but always true-to-the-moment way of the life from the time of birth to death, of a princess. All of the back stories alluded to, I knew, and it added such a depth to my reading. At times, I would read sections out loud, to prolong the story, not wanting it to end. Even though I knew the story, I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this to people very familiar with the stories of the Mahabharat...it will add another dimension to the stories in your mind.

Palace of Illusions: A Novel, Chitra Banerjee-Divakaruni - Interesting premise: view the greatest Indian epic from the viewpoint of a woman. Not just any woman, but arguably the woman in the middle of it all. For those who may not know, Mahabharata (literally "Great Bharat", Bharat being the ancient name of India) is one of the two greatest of Indian epics, the second one being Ramayana. Any one of these epics can be thought of as being an aggregate of Illiad, Odyssey, Beowolf and any other major European work that you can think of. Mahabharta is where Lord Krishna preaches the code of morality to Arjuna; most people would know these lectures by their canonical name: Bhagavad Gita (which is the closest equivalent in Hinduisim to Koran or the Bible.) The story of Mahabharata is too great to be capsulized in a bite-size form, so I won't even try to do so. Suffice it to say that it the epic is rich, deep, and personal. Almost no Indian child is untouched by the beautiful stories and multi-faceted characters that make up Mahabharata. In fact, the epic is so ingrained in the Indian psyche that even eminent authors like Shashi Tharoor have created modern-day works of fiction based on events contained in it! (See my review of Shashi Tharoor's "The Great Indian Novel".) What Ms. Banerjee-Divakaruni has done is what I have attemped to avoid in this review: create a succint account of an epic, a Mahabharata 101, if you will. She has succeeded, no doubt. It was enjoyable reading. The events depicted are indeed as they appear in the Mahabharata. Though her brevity cannot do justice to the beautiful creation that is the Mahabharata, I must admit that she does come darn close. (February 2008).

I was lucky enough to meet Ms. Divakaruni at a conference in Chicago in December, where we were both guest authors. I got a copy of this novel from her during the conference, and cannot say how glad I am that I did.

What a pleasure! Yes, she took an epic part of Indian mythology and imbued new life into it. Yes, she wove together the kind of tapestry in fiction to which most authors (myself included) aspire. But beyond that, she told the kind of story that articulated something so elemental about what it means to be a woman (in ancient times or today) that I have found myself rereading specific passages to myself ever since.

Bravo, Chitra.

And thank you for giving this author the kind of novel that I wished would never end!

Poonam Sharma
Author of Girl Most Likely To

This book is a convoluted fairy tale. Its resolution was abrupt and not terribly satisfying, and a lot of loose ends were never explained or tied up. The spice lore was amusing but that was the content highlight. Her writing style was excellent and flowing. I wouldn't recommend it unless I could have the author attend the post mortem and explain everything (if she could and have it make any kind of sense).

Tilo has had an extraodinary childhood and she becomes an apprentice "spice mistress" who will when ready be dispatched somewhere in the world to work magic with her spices. Where she ends up is in an old spice shop in California, as an old lady. The story focuses on a few of Tilo's customers, who all share Indian roots and therefore suffer prejudice, culture shocks etc. As she effortlessly offers the best spices to cure her customers and help them through their difficulties, Tilo finds herself attracted to a mysterious "American" customer. This attraction goes against all her rules as a Mistress of Spices and lead Tilo to have to decide between duty and her heart.

Overall I found the story was well written though a bit intense at times. The story successfully mixes magic, cultural issues, relationships and friendship. Recommended.

Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
A haunting contemporary fable, fantastic and sensual. Tilo, a young woman from a faraway place, makes her way through magic and pirates to a mythical healer. She's trained in the mystery of spices and ordained as an immortal master. Once ordained, she finds herself transported to Oakland, California (!?) as an old woman tending an Indian spice shop. The fun begins. How do desire for individual happiness and duty interrelate? A best seller. Great fun.

Tilo was a pain in the neck as a child. She had "powers" and her powers made life very good for her family but she developed into quite a naughty little brat. However, her fame as "seer" managed to get her kidnapped by pirates and, ultimately, landed her on an island where she learned the ministry of spice. Thus our stories begins.

The story of Tilo, running a spice bazaar in a contemporary American city, is entertaining but even more engaging is the lush and beautiful use of language that Divakaruni uses so well. Tilo becomes involved in the lives of the Indian's who come into her store an her compassion for them grows. Then one day another "Indian" arrives in the person of a handsome, sexy, and seductive Native American man who sees through Tilo's appearance and falls in love with her.

Reading this book is as delicious as the spices Tilo uses. I particularly loved her descriptions of the "bouganvilla girls" with their "fizzy" laughter. This is a lovely book and a real treat to savor.

I was not too sure about what I was in for when I picked up this book. I had seen the movie "Chocolat" and I thought that this book might have a story that was somewhat similar. Instead, I was taken into a world of Tilo, an Indian immigrant, running a spice shop in Oakland California. More than the story itself, the descriptions and the narratives are the real essence of this book. The life of the local expats and the sort of advice that Tilo provides to those that visit her shop is priceless!

Stepping Off the Edge: Learning & Living Spiritual Practice
A group of short stories around the subject of arranged marriage. These stuners will leave you breathless. Sad, poignant, beautiful. Unforgettable. Haunting. I like this book as well as Divakaruni's poetry. Read this before Sister of my Heart. Divakaruni uses one of the short stories as the basis of Sister.

Arranged Marriage by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni portrays the life of an Indian woman trying to live under Indian customs in America. The main theme that I noticed in this novel is the feeling of disappointment, from the falsified golden streets, to the so described marvelous 7-11. The book consists of several short stories mostly telling about life in America from an Indian women's perspective. It tells of the battle between strict moral customs in the face of the so called "lax" customs of western society. The novel contains some truly heartbreaking moments. The death of a husband during his night shift, the letting go of a child, and the misunderstanding of racial hatred make this novel one that you won't soon forget. I also enjoyed the writing style of Chitra. She uses foreshadowing and situational irony to the point that the book remains interesting even after several times reading through it. The stories manage to teach about the complexities of Indian culture not only on a ritual level but on a much deeper emotional level. I found myself feeling sorry for the women having to make these choices between family customs and American life. It has become one of my favorite pieces of literature to date. This novel tells of broken promises, mistreated customs, and an overall feeling of sadness.

This book was assigned reading for one of my college classes, but I must say that it was thoroughly enjoyable. The stories seem to get better and better as you read through the book. Arranged Marriage is thought-provoking and heart-touching.

Chitra Divakaruni's collection of short stories,
Arranged Marriage is about Indian women on both
sides of the world, in America as well as India.

The stories deal with women often times in
desperate situations, unfulfilled due to being
in arranged marriages or miserable because of
a disconnection from parents and family because
of career goals. The author basically makes the
argument that women are better off when they have
a marriage of their own choosing and rightly so.

The gems in the collection are "The Word Love,"
"A Perfect Life," "The Disappearance," and "Affair."
All of the stories are well-written but the some
of the other stories are a little slow to get to
the heart of the story. The author definitely has
an eye for detail and understands the tough choices
that women make in searching for themselves. She
also incorporates Indian words to authenticate the
stories but I thought they were awkwardly placed and
without the Indian words, I think the stories are
still very strong.

Overall, well worth reading and one of the few short
story collections that is actually worth the money spent!

A wonderful read. It prompted me to seek out other books Chitra Divakaruni has written. Although I enjoyed them all, this collection of short stories was the best. Very engaging characters told in a realistic manner---you feel you are connected to these people---I could not bear to put the book down until I had finished that particular story. Very enjoyable book!

The book takes you to the Silver Valley in the Himalayas - full of fantasy, action and adventure. People of all ages will enjoy.

I absolutely LOVED the premise of the book. In plot, Chitra's book is clever but the writing was not as tight as I would like. It had too many adverbs and poorly constructed sentences that distracted the reader from this wonderful story. There was more "showing" and less "telling" and a lot of narrative that could have been replaced by action or dialogue. The storyline became a little too complicated and the ending, although a clever surprise was not entirely believable. It felt contrived, done, to shock rather than please. Wasn't it Somerset Maughm who said that the main aim of a novel is to please. It left me feeling a little dissatisfied. Nevertheless, for a writer of her caliber to flow into children's writing is admirable. I look forward to reading the Mirror of Fire and Dreaming.

The setting of the story is in Kolkata, India. It is about a boy who works in a tea stall striving to help his mother and sister who is ill.
One day an old man walks in the store and the store owner yells and insults him to leave, But Arnand shows remorse and gives the man some tea and food. Seeing the compassion in Arnads heart the old man follows him home, and invites him to go on a journey with him to return the magical conch.
With this man he goes on a journey across the Himalayas to bring the "conch to safety." During his journey Arnad gets tested on his courage, honesty and loyalty. In the end when he reaches the Silver Valley he is asked which of these virtues he believes is most important. If he chooses the right one he can become a member of the brotherhood, but the wrong choice and he goes back home.
The purpose of this story is to teach people about courage and making choices for yourself. I think this was a well written story and I really enjoyed it.

The Conch Bearer is a fine book, but not great. It does a good job of following the traditional hero cycle, but not much more.

As not a particular lover of fantasy, I was not that impressed with the quality of writing. The characters were, admittedly, well-thought-out, but with not much feeling and progression.

Basically, I didn't really like it, but I wanted to see what would happen in the end, so I just kept reading. I was assigned this book as part of our hero unit. If it hadn't been an assignment, I wouldn't have read it.

However, I did find it in me to read the sequel (The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming) voluntarily, NOT as an assignment. I found The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming much more pleasing and original, though it didn't follow the hero cycle. This, I think, actually made it a more likeable book, since the plot was more creative and less predictable.

I wouldn't recommend The Conch Bearer. However, I WOULD recommend The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, and it's probably better to read Conch Bearer first.

My final recommendation is: if you really want to read either The Conch Bearer or The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, just check them out of a public library, or buy them cheap from a used bookstore.

The Conch Bearer starts with a young Indian boy named Anand in the middle of what starts off as a routine day. He is a 12-year-old boy who because of his circumstances has to labor for minimal wages under a mean and nasty boss named Haru. Anand and his family are coping as best they can after having lost contact and support from his father. He can no longer afford the luxury of going to school, which was difficult for his mother as well as himself. It also pains her that her son has to work and live in such difficult circumstances, but she also appreciates the help she gets from Anand working. Anand's love for his family is great and he is more than willing to work to help. Throughout the story the book touches on some difficult aspects about life in India. Though it would be a great read for all, perhaps it best relates to students with a background in another country or who are growing up poor having to make sacrifices for the well being of the whole family. Anand even recognizes that his own fate isn't as bad as his friend Nisha who knows no family and lives on the street every night. What helps Anand through it all is his desire to help people and a belief that things will change for the better. A self-sacrificing act of kindness sets this young boy on his journey as the conch bearer. It is not an easy journey, as Anand has to struggle mostly against his own self and through feelings of jealousy and distrust in order to successfully return the conch.

I read and reviewed this book for a book competition; the aim, to encourage young readers to read more.

This book was full of beautiful potential, but the characters where completely without true richness. The main character was so whiney and and annoying. She complained about a childhood and parents that were typically flawed. The author gave a vague and rediculous episode that was suppose to fuel her deep hatred for an ex husband. 9/11 was just thrown in as if it had to be, bringing up much deeper and more exciting topics that the rest of the book then ending abruptly.

I loved reading this book, at first it was boring, but that only lasted a few pages, later I was so engrossed by it that I could not stay away from it. I felt drawn towards all of the characters, especially Rakhi. The only thing I didn't like was that it leaves you wanting more; some things are not resolved, or not explain too good. But all in all, is a wonderful and magical novel.

I come across the work of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni through a radio interview in April. Her reading excerpt on the Queen of Dreams was so charming that I checked out the title in the nearby local library. Unforunately, that radio program ceased to pose her audio interview on line.

Time is well-spent reading this title as the many reviews of the title cover comment on the effect 'spiritually therapeutic'. Her narrative prose in first person account is so poetic that even a tormented main character, a single mother who struggles to paint, a La Boheme artist, sounds like a saint. What strikes me as universally humane is how Chitra describes the 'redemptive' process, sexual frustration with her ex-husband, friendship with her girlfriend, Freudian connection with her son Jonas (yes, the Biblical character), ambiguous reconciliation with her gifted mother after she died in an accident, and with her father who lent a cooking hand to support her 'faltering adventure in coffee shop business'. The father figure is fairly clear-cut.

For those who are new-age seekers, the self-discovery of identity in the post-modern Berkeley era does not sacrifice the quest of authentic intellectual curiosity. Rather it affirms a woman's struggling for her independence while longing her interdependence with those who care for her. Only a protagonist (here a woman) can write such moving novel.

If you enjoy poetry for the namesake of beauty, try the journal passge on how one interpretes the modality of 'thorn'. How many ways can one assign meanings to the dream about 'thorn'? That depends on who has the dream and in what context.

The author maintains a website for her other works.

For some reason I discovered this book sitting in my bookshelf and have no idea when I purchased it and why. I read a book a week and was searching for something to read when I discovered this one. I had never heard or read anything by this author. My huge loss, for this is by far the best book I have read this year. Perhaps the best I have read in the past year as well.

While searching for some knowledge as to why her mother dies in an accident and trying to discover who she really was, Rakhi unwinds a tale that is so marvelous you cannot put this book down. Magic, mystery and wonder fill every page. Written at times like poetry, you are aware of this authors unbelievable talent with every page you read.

I will now read every other book she has written. Where are these great writers hidden ? Why are they known to someone like me who is an avid reader? We are forced into trusting the best sellers list and to read novels by mediocre writers to satisfy the demands of publisher who control the market as well as our minds.

This book is a gem and will make you hunger for more of this author.
Chitra Banergee Divakaruni........a toast to you and your talent. Please keep writing.

I have now read 4 of Ms. Divakaruni's books, and hope she writes another novel soon. She has a tremendous gift to make her images come to life in your head as you are reading. I also felt again that I was being given a privileged tour of a culture different than my own, and could see my own culture through different eyes. So in addition to being entertained, I was being educated. Along with a great story comes a little magic--in that way her work reminds me of Alice Hoffman--the magic seems like a completely natural and believeable part of the world. Read this book, and then read the rest of her work!