Customer Reviews

Haveli

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Shabanu, Staple's first novel, was simply enchanting and fascinating. The sequel, Haveli, was certainly no disapointment. Readers may rejoice at Ms. Staples' excellent storylines and tale: it is well-balanced and brings us back to the small, hard world of Shabanu.

In this book, 18 year old Shabanu is married to a man almost twice her age and has a small daughter whom she devotes her life to. Shabanu must deal with the every day challenges of her harsh life in Pakistan without the family that she has always relied on. The other, older wives of her husband are cruel to her and her daughter, jealous of the young girl whom their husband loves so dearly. Shabanu fears that they might try to harm her and her daughter, and therefore is relieved when they are offered the opportunity to go into the city dwelling of Haveli. There Shabanu finds both peace and a forbidden love. While she battles with her concious, she makes plans for her daughter's education and upbringing. A truly magical tale of real life and of a culture that no one understands.

This book is different from all others. It brings us into a culture we don't understand and, especially in times like these, helps us accept and realize how much like us they really are. I reccomend this book to children ages 10 and up, and adults everywhere who have a love of good books.

One of the best books I have read. As an 8th grader, I read a lot and this book deserves the highest praise. This book will make you rethink your philosophies, and wring your heart. I beg you to read this book!

Happy reading! -Lia

The book Haveli by Suzanne Fisher Staples, is a poignant sequel to Shabanu. This book is very exciting and poignant and includes a lot of information about the Pakistani culture. Basically imprisoned by her polygamist husband, Rahim, and ridiculed by the other wives, Shabanu and her 6-year-old daughter, Mumtaz, long to return to the Cholistan Desert. But Shabanu has Rahim mesmerized by her mysterious self-confidence and inner beauty. A trip to Rahim's house in the city of Lahore brings Shabanu and Omar together. Omar is also trapped by ingrained traditions. Can Shabanu and Omar free themselves from ancient custom and be able to love one another without restriction? Read this excellent book to find out.

I recommend this book because the reader can learn a lot from reading it. This book is set in the present time but in a totally different half of the world from America. Shabanu practices Islam and lived a nomadic life. In this book there is a lot of description of Islamic customs and you find out what it's like to be a Camel Herder in the Cholistani Desert. Also it thoroughly explains how young women are treated in this culture. Arranged marriages, polygamy, a female's position in a household, and the lives of nomads, are all topics covered in this book. Another noteworthy point about Haveli is that the reader will most definitely find that this is a very compelling love story. There have been other books and movies with the same kind of plot none of which take place in Pakistan or have much to do with the beliefs of the Muslims. This book will touch your heart when you read about two lovers that are forbidden to be together and open your mind when you learn about the nomadic way of life that is practiced in the Middle-East.

One reason why I wouldn't recommend this book is because the author gets off topic and talks about past experiences a lot making it hard to decipher past from present. It is very confusing when the author switches from previous incidents and the current time so quickly. You must read very carefully or continually reread. Although this one flaw makes the book a bit harder to comprehend, once you get into the book, (which is very easy to do) the reader will get used to the author writing style and understand what is being said perfectly. This book is really a riveting tale that gives its readers a lot of insight into this unique culture.

Many Sequels fail to exceed the stories they follow.....This is an exception. When I first Read "Shabanu Daughter of The Wind" I was without words because the book was so amazing. I even thought Haveli would not be as good as the first book, but I was wrong. It is very rare to find a book where you are always feeling the characters struggles, pain and spirit.(To the point where you may cry or laugh out loud!) Shabanu is a very strong willed girl and when you read this story you will know what I mean. When I put myself in her place I kept thinking how hard it would be for me to do the things she was doing. The things she goes through, the many choices she must make, and the sacrafices are breathtaking. Although "Haveli" fails to pick up where Shabanu left off you are not lost on what has happened because you are given a lot of the background that you missed between the 2 books. The closing line will always stay with me for it shows yet again how she must sacrafice to survive under the circumstances of the world she must live in. I really do wish there were more books to follow these powerful stories....maybe there will be someday. But all we can do is cherish these two books, and hope for coming sequels!

Haveli is a good book. Suzanne Fisher Staples could have made it drag on a little less, but overall, it's very good. And as for the people who give it 1 star...please actually tell us why, duh!

In Haveli, Shabanu continues her struggle to maintain a strong spirit against the continuous destruction of a wanted life that could transcend the traditional customs and laws that bind her. Shabanu, still a child herself, now has a daughter of her own, named Mumtaz. The struggle for a better life is now intended for two. Complications arise in her plan for a better life due to a discovered love for a man in which she finds a kindred spirit. The roller coaster ride begins. Romance, violence, jealousy, culture, death, and a continuing idea to be free from the confinds of her life, all plague Shabanu. All of these factors along with strong dialogue make for an excellent read. This book would make a great study in literature, social studies, or any type of diversity class. It was a compelling story that could be converted from the 1930's to now.

I finished reading Haveli for the second time about five minutes ago, and having read it last over a year ago, I didn't really remember much of it. But immmediately I was immersed in the story of Shabanu and her daughter.

Shabanu's world is falling apart, tormented by her husband's elder wives while trying to protect her daughter from the same fate, she convinces him to let her go elsewhere. But between the complications of two marriages coming up, one of which she must try to escape from, and her falling into a doomed love, Shabanu must be strong for her daughter.

I cried at the end, though I hadn't remembering crying the first time. Definately a must-read for any lovers of the prequel, and for those who haven't read Shabanu, read it.

Shabanu, a true problem solver, applies a little cunning and remains self-assured and dignified despite the oppressive forces persistently against her. Her sincerity and gracefulness attract the respect of people she encounters along the way. Although she often finds disagreement with the man she was forced to marry, Shabanu respects him for his sense of duty and responsibility for his family (just as her father throughout "Shabanu").

A sophisticated read with it's complex sentence structures yet wonderfully poetic. An ongoing element of mystery ensues. I particularly enjoyed the anticipation and reread passages trying to piece together a puzzle of relationships.

The very ending was actually quite suprising and put me in a state of contemplation for a few days (I'm a sucker for love stories).

Forced to become the wife of a man old enough to be her grandfather, Shabanu struggles to keep her young daughter safe from her husband's four other wives. Set in modern Pakistan, Haveli explores relationships between men and women, women's friendships, and ultimately the resourcefulness required to survive in a setting where women have very limited choices. Readers can identify with Shabanu, a strong, intelligent character who stays true to her own values even in the most difficult situations. I didn't like this book as much as Staples' first novel, Shabanu, because I thought the plot moved too slowly, but I think readers who enjoyed the first book will be interested to read more of the life of this compelling character.

I just wanted to let anyone know that if you are thinking of reading Haveli you should! It is a great sequel to Shabanu Daughter of the wind.

This book was amazingly descriptive and heartfelt. Shabanu's culture was clearly explained and made the book very real. Her knowledge of herself and of others makes Shabanu a great role model to people even in the 21st century, and I think that everyone should read this book. But she is not perfect, and her humane qualities are made clear through her respect for her older husband and her love for a younger man. She nontheless stays true to those she loves, especially her daughter. Through her troubles and adventures as the youngest wife of Rahim and enemy of the other wives, she does what she thinks is right.