[priya]

The story of a young rural Bangladeshi woman's (Nazneen) married life in London's Tower Hamlets.  An enthralling read that goes beyond story-telling and right into her very existence as a wife and mother with all it's trials and tribulations.  The letters written by her sister Hasina in far off Dhaka are both heart-warming and comical.  I'm almost through reading this very enjoyable novel, which gives a serious insight into the underprivileged and their aspirations for a better life back 'home'.  

Meera Syal (UK TV viewers will know her from The Kumar's) has this to say:
'Monica Ali is a fabulous writer, and Brick Lane is finely observed, deeply compassionate, wry and tender.'

[Judi]

Sorry, Priya, but I loathed this book     Each to his own ........

[digital drifter]

wasn't this that was book being deemed unfair by the residents of Brick lane and a reading cancelled?

[Judi]

Yes, that's the one!

[WonderWomanUSA]

Quote

wasn't this that was book being deemed unfair by the residents of Brick lane and a reading cancelled?

I hadn't heard about that -- but even if they did, this book is meant to be FICTION, is it not?

For what it's worth, I enjoyed reading the book, and expected it to be about fictional people in what might be a real geographic setting.

As we all know, just because something's in print doesn't mean it's true!

[Aishah]

I have this book in my cupboard and think I will read it once I finish the current no. (A very easy read by Judith Lennox with a very tenuous link to India (Simla in the days of the Raj) but mostly set in England -One Step in the Dark. It's a family epic novel, one step up from Mills and Boon, I feel, left by a traveller in the local book exchange).  Monica Ali's novel looks as if it has far more substance in it, and this Topic jogged my memory to get it out, read, and see what I think!

[Judi]

WonderWomanUSA, on Jan 18 2008, 06:59 PM, said:

I hadn't heard about that -- but even if they did, this book is meant to be FICTION, is it not?

For what it's worth, I enjoyed reading the book, and expected it to be about fictional people in what might be a real geographic setting.

As we all know, just because something's in print doesn't mean it's true!

Ha!  Tell that to Salman Rushdie  

[digital drifter]

Judi, on Jan 19 2008, 11:40 PM, said:

Ha!  Tell that to Salman Rushdie  

That's what I say about my atrocious grades in college to everyone. It just isn't true whatever is printed on the certificate.

[Judi]

digital drifter, on Jan 19 2008, 07:16 PM, said:

That's what I say about my atrocious grades in college to everyone. It just isn't true whatever is printed on the certificate.

    

[priya]

Aishah, on Jan 19 2008, 01:35 PM, said:

I have this book in my cupboard and think I will read it once I finish the current no. (A very easy read by Judith Lennox with a very tenuous link to India (Simla in the days of the Raj) but mostly set in England -One Step in the Dark. It's a family epic novel, one step up from Mills and Boon, I feel, left by a traveller in the local book exchange).  Monica Ali's novel looks as if it has far more substance in it, and this Topic jogged my memory to get it out, read, and see what I think!

Let me know what you think of it Aishah.  I finished it last Sunday - during a very long power outage, so tv was given a miss

[Aishah]

Now getting into this book and I have to say I am really enjoying it. I find the characters are well drawn and engaging, and I am really interested to find how the plot unfolds. By Chapter Two I've decided I don't like Chanu (Nazneen's husband) simply by Ali's description of the way he eats! He sounds rather a repulsive man to me! Still early days, he might redeem himself who knows...

[priya]

I'm so pleased you're enjoying so far, Aishah.  

I wasn't too keen on Chanu either - but wait until you get to his corns

I'm also interested to hear what you think of Hasina's letters..........

[Aishah]

Hasina's letters are brilliant!  Yes, well past Chanu's corns now - getting well over half way and they still haven't gone back yet.
I think this book is far better than Kiran Desai's Inheritance of Loss. The writing style is entertaining, never boring, and the subject matter is rivetting - really awful stuff going on but with no holds barred to her portrayal of it. She doesn't wallow around in gloom, yet she engages the reader in deep thought at the same time. It's wonderful writing and never boring.