Customer Reviews

Where the Oceans Meet

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The author writes of what she knows best, of what is in her blood - her tradition and culture. A brilliant new voice to emerge on the literary scene. Her stories are enduring and finely woven together as if they were thin gold thread on a silk sari. She vividly portrays the struggles and passions of her characters, anchored in a sence of place, family and the power of old beliefs. It is unclear if such languid prose will hold the attention of the average 22-minute sit com viewers attention, as is hinted at in the American reveiws. But if you are looking for eloquent writing and the magic therein - this is the book for you.

I thought the book was well written in a poetic manner. Ms. Mandava did a beautiful job of making each story as vivid for the reader as possible. For those who have never had a chance to visit India, the book gives the reader a glimpse of this country, as well as allowing the reader to experience a variety of lives. I think the book would be particularly appealing to women as it touches on many matters of the heart. A good read for a relaxing afternoon.

I thought the book was beautifully done, in a style that is reminiscent of the the 1993 film "Short Cuts". Although each chapter is a short story that could be taken alone, the stories are delicately woven together like a fine spider web through chance meetings, fate and/or various relationships. It shows us how we are all connected in some way. The writing is very colorful and extremely descriptive, like a beautiful watercolor painting. Each story involves you quickly in that characters life, and I found myself wishing that each story was longer. I also greatly enjoyed the glimpse of India I received through this book. I look forward to reading the next work from this author.

This book is an excellent read. It was great to meet the author and have her sign the book. I picked up the book to read and was not able to put it away. If you are an Indian born in India and live in American, or Indian born and raised in America or Indian in general, you will be able to relate to the book through wide range of characters. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful first book from a new author. I agree with the customer in Mexico, this may not fly with the average American reader lost without a linear plot tying everything neatly together as if with a ribbon. Or worse yet, if you are the reviewer in NY who posted twice - dictionary and axe to grind in hand. Perhaps failing writers have trouble with new, fresh young authors breaking through?

Or, as the character of Veena says so well, maybe we are don't know it is "okay to feel uncomfortable. {we're} the foreigners here. {I} feel it too. {I'm} just not fighting it." Maybe Veena's fear is true - we are trying to erase her culture - fearing something different, unfamiliar and daring.

This book begged to be tossed with every turn of the page. I wanted so much to give this author the benefit of the doubt, but alas, the narrative was so sophomoric, and some of the characters so self congratulatory, I often wondered if the author was not depicting the complexities of India from a privileged perch. There was not a single story (the book is being marketed as a novel - just a loose collection a short stories) that was moving, much less interesting.