Book Review 38
Name Of The Book : Oleander Girl
Author : Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Year : 2012
Category : Fiction
Review :
As the only child of an old and distinguished Hindu household in Kolkata, Korobi Roy grew up with the best of everything - except parents. All she knows about them is that her father died a few months before her birth, and her mother died when she was born. Korobi has lived her entire life with her grandparents her beloved, cantankerous grandfather who made sure she received a top - notch boarding school education and upbringing, and her grandmother who encircled her in the comfort of family traditions. But despite her happy childhood, Korobi yearns to know more about her parents, and cherishes an unfinished love note from her mother to her father that she discovered as a child, tucked away in a book of poetry. At seventeen, Korobi has found her match in the handsome and charming Rajat, the only son of one of the city's high - profile business families. On the night of their engagement party, Korobi's grandfather dies of a sudden heart attack. His death reveals the family's unexpected financial problems as well as a dark secret. The discovery of this secret shatters Korobi's sense of self, and sends her - against the wishes of her fiance and his family - to post - 9/11 America on a life - changing search. Korobi is between two worlds - the values of India and America, how women are expected to behave in each culture, the importance America places on the individual versus the privilege given to the family by Indian culture. She will also be attracted to two men who in some ways are products of these dichotomies, and she will have to choose between them.
This book is an emotional roller coaster with a lot of unexpected twists. The characters have a lot of depth and their grey areas are brought to light. We are transported into the world of Korobi through the brilliant writing of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The differences and the similarities between the different economic classes are beautifully depicted. Through the thoughts of the various characters we can know about the conflicts that go through their minds. The book follows the usual theme of Chitra Banerjee books of being torn between the worlds of India and America but it is not repetitive. In this book, the effect that 9/11 had on the lives of Indians living in America emotionally, psychologically and financially, has been explored. It has a lot of twists and an element of suspense, the complex storyline also makes it very interesting. The name of the book is very apt as we will understand when we read this book. Overall, it is an interesting read.
Rating : 4.5/5
Name Of The Book : Oleander Girl
Author : Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher : Simon & Schuster
Year : 2012
Category : Fiction
Review :
As the only child of an old and distinguished Hindu household in Kolkata, Korobi Roy grew up with the best of everything - except parents. All she knows about them is that her father died a few months before her birth, and her mother died when she was born. Korobi has lived her entire life with her grandparents her beloved, cantankerous grandfather who made sure she received a top - notch boarding school education and upbringing, and her grandmother who encircled her in the comfort of family traditions. But despite her happy childhood, Korobi yearns to know more about her parents, and cherishes an unfinished love note from her mother to her father that she discovered as a child, tucked away in a book of poetry. At seventeen, Korobi has found her match in the handsome and charming Rajat, the only son of one of the city's high - profile business families. On the night of their engagement party, Korobi's grandfather dies of a sudden heart attack. His death reveals the family's unexpected financial problems as well as a dark secret. The discovery of this secret shatters Korobi's sense of self, and sends her - against the wishes of her fiance and his family - to post - 9/11 America on a life - changing search. Korobi is between two worlds - the values of India and America, how women are expected to behave in each culture, the importance America places on the individual versus the privilege given to the family by Indian culture. She will also be attracted to two men who in some ways are products of these dichotomies, and she will have to choose between them.
This book is an emotional roller coaster with a lot of unexpected twists. The characters have a lot of depth and their grey areas are brought to light. We are transported into the world of Korobi through the brilliant writing of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The differences and the similarities between the different economic classes are beautifully depicted. Through the thoughts of the various characters we can know about the conflicts that go through their minds. The book follows the usual theme of Chitra Banerjee books of being torn between the worlds of India and America but it is not repetitive. In this book, the effect that 9/11 had on the lives of Indians living in America emotionally, psychologically and financially, has been explored. It has a lot of twists and an element of suspense, the complex storyline also makes it very interesting. The name of the book is very apt as we will understand when we read this book. Overall, it is an interesting read.
Rating : 4.5/5