Roller Birds of Rampur [Mass Market Paperback]

Indi Rana (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

Sheila was born in India but grew up in London and thinks of herself as English. But when herboyfriend drops her because she's Indian, Sheila begins to wonder where she belongs. Since her grandparents live in India, Sheila visits them to learn more about her native land. But she ends up learning some unexpected lessons about life . . . and about herself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers can really sink their teeth into this meaty first novel. An engrossing coming-of-age story of a girl caught between two cultures, it also offers--with only the barest twinge of didacticism--an extraordinarily clear explanation of Hindu philosophy. Indian-born teen Sheila Mehta, who has grown up in London, no longer knows where she belongs. Her English boyfriend abruptly drops her after bringing her home to meet his mother; her best friend is sent to India for an arranged marriage to a stranger; and her younger sister is dressing punk and trying to pass for black. Sheila returns to her family's farm in Madhya Pradesh, where in the course of being initiated into the dissonant intricacies of modern Indian life, she realizes that, for better or worse, she is as much English as Indian. Although Rana peoples her novel with emblematic figures--philosophical Grandpa, downtrodden serving girl, intellectual poseur cousin--her keen sense of human nature and a sharp eye for detail keep these characters intriguing and fresh. An insightful look at a complex and vibrant culture. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 9-12-- In this introspective coming-of-age novel, Sheila Mehta, 17, leaves England for her native India, seeking safety and security in the age-old traditions after her British boyfriend drops her. Feeling betrayed and hurt, she finds consolation in India's dull brown Roller Birds, which show brilliant ultramarine and turquoise colors when they fly. Her grandfather calls this show the color of adolescence, "between the brown security of childhood and the brown routines of adult life." She attempts to reconcile the two influences in her life, that she is Indian by birth and upbringing, but British in her thinking. Those wishing to understand Indian ways will be well rewarded here. As a novel, the book is less successful. It lacks a compelling plot, and the characters are merely mouthpieces for particular points of view. Briticisms are all defined in a glossary, but the Indian terms and slang (with one exception) are not. --Diane S. Marton, Arlington County Library, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Fawcett (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449704343
• ISBN-13: 978-0449704349
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,239,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to conflicts of personal identity, July 16, 2003

By 

catdogfishhorse634 (Cape Girardeau, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roller Birds of Rampur (Mass Market Paperback)

As an Indian girl who grew up in America, I read this book many times during my early adolescent years and found it easy to relate to the frustrations and joys that Sheila experiences as a first-generation child of Hindu Indian immigrants. Immigrant parents in any country often want their children to grow up to be Westernized -- but not TOO Westernized! Sometimes this leads to family clashes when children reach their teenage years and want the independence of their Western (North American, European, Australian, etc.) friends but also feel a connection to their native roots and the values held by their parents. Any readers, not just Indians, will be able to understand the struggles between child, parent, society, and personal identity on the battlegrounds of adolescence.

If you read and enjoyed "Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind" (by Suzanne Fisher Staples), about a Muslim nomadic family from Pakistan, you may enjoy this book too. Although Pakistan and India share many aspects of history, they are not the same country and their major religious cultures can be very different.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, educational, lots of cultural insight, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roller Birds of Rampur (Mass Market Paperback)

Roller Birds of Rampur is a book about a girl named Sheila who was born in India and moved to England when she was very young and then goes back to India at the age of 17 to find herself. Sheila has been living for most of her life in London and thinks of herself as a normal English girl. Sheila goes to an English school, has English friends, and does other normal English stuff. Sheila even has an English boyfriend, Jimmy. But Sheila and Jimmy break up because Sheila is Indian. Jimmy breaking up with her, leaves Sheila very confused, she thinks about whether she is Indian or English. To figure this out, Sheila decides to spend time with relatives in India. Many exciting things happen to Sheila while she is in India, she learns a lot about who he is and where she comes from. I liked The Roller Birds of Rampur because it gives you a lot of insight on real things that happen in India. You get to understand how Indian people and things work, good and bad. There is also a lot to learn about Indian culture in this book.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good,very deep literature., April 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roller Birds of Rampur (Mass Market Paperback)

I thought this book was pretty good.It is full of deep,and intimate feelings that probably none of us have ever witnessed or felt.There are some swear words in it,though.This is deffinetly a good book for people who like deep and meaningful literature.