|
The Hindi-Bindi Club | 
 enlarge | Author: Monica Pradhan
Publisher: Bantam
Category: Book
List Price: $12.00
Buy Used: $2.59
You Save: $9.41 (78%)
New (31) Used (33) Collectible (2) from $2.59
Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 36976
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 448
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.2
ISBN: 055338452X
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780553384529
ASIN: 055338452X
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
| |
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
For decades they have remained close, sharing treasured recipes, honored customs, and the challenges of women shaped by ancient ways yet living modern lives. They are the Hindi-Bindi Club, a nickname given by their American daughters to the mothers who left India to start anew—daughters now grown and facing struggles of their own.
For Kiran, Preity, and Rani, adulthood bears the indelible stamp of their upbringing, from the ways they tweak their mothers’ cooking to suit their Western lifestyles to the ways they reject their mothers’ most fervent beliefs. Now, bearing the disappointments and successes of their chosen paths, these daughters are drawn inexorably home.
Kiran, divorced, will seek a new beginning—this time requesting the aid of an ancient tradition she once dismissed. Preity will confront an old heartbreak—and a hidden shame. And Rani will face her demons as an artist and a wife. All will question whether they have the courage of the Hindi-Bindi Club, to hold on to their dreams—or to create new ones.
An elegant tapestry of East and West, peppered with food and ceremony, wisdom and sensuality, this luminous novel breathes new life into timeless themes.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 32 more reviews...
 Couldn't finish it December 26, 2008
I really wanted to like this book. Despite giving it a fair shot, I couldn't even force myself to finish it.
Beyond the stories just falling flat for me, there was something that was really irking and annoying me about this book. I finally figured it out about 250 pages into it. The dialogue is stilted and completely unbelievable. It made me feel as if I were reading some high schooler's attempt at writing dialogue or even like a cheesy young adult novel.
The other thing that bothered me was that she really hits you over the head with the history. I appreciate her attempt to educate those readers who may not be familiar with Indian culture and history. However, it felt as if her tone was more like a school teacher than a novelist. There are many others writers, such as Tan, that successfully educate readers who may not be familiar with that particular culture in a more poetic fashion. I know many people will disagree with me on this, especially those that knew nothing of India prior to their reading of this book.
The last thing major criticism I have is the simplistic explanation of things Indian to non-Indian readers. For example, she describes Mumbai as "New York City and Hollwood combined", teen pathi as "The Indian equivalent of poker", and bhangra as "hip Indian music, kinda like Indian disco". I think she is being condescending to insulting the intelligence of her readers by her insistence on finding a Western equivalent of all these things that are distinctly Indian, as if no one would understand it otherwise. It would've been better if she had never included these details at all than to give such trite and one-dimensional descriptions that end up Westernizing these things anyway.
I did enjoy the recipe pages, and thought they were a pretty creative touch.
Overall, I was excited to read this book when I started it. However, the stories were just not riveting enough for me to keep going, and the dialogue significantly contributed to my giving up on Hindi Bindi Club. After about 150 pages, the book began to become a chore to me rather than an enjoyable escape.
 Great story...Love the recipes October 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I picked this book up on one of those days when you need to escape. I lay in the hammock and read it cover to cover with countless cups of tea, and a couple of sneaky biscuits. I am a white English girl, but I have grown up with British Indian friends and the culture is so familiar to me. I love India, and intend to go back, maybe even to live for a while, so this resonated with me. Even though I am not from an Indian culture, I recognise so much of the culture and feeling behind this book. The recipes made my mouth water and re-ignited the desire I have to go to a cooking school in South India.
Recommended as a wonderful escape book!
Wonderful Book October 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I truly enjoyed this book! I feel like I really met all these wonderful women and I knew I would miss them the minute I put the book down. The humor, emotions, history and culture were wonderfully blended into a must read. I am giving a copy to my closest friends.
The Hindi-Bindi Club October 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this book, not only because it portraits mother-daughter relationships so beautifully, but the writing flows and captivates. Of course, it also gives insights into Indian-American culture and history. Finally, the recipes are fabulous!
Couldn't put it down September 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am not of Indian descent and I loved it. It was very well written, funny, enlightening and clever!!
I couldn't put it down. I read it in three days!! For any of you Moms who have three children under seven I am sure you can understand that is no easy task! I found myself sneaking away to read it whenever I had five minutes. It ended to soon!!
It's not your normal "chick book" it has heart, and it's real. I could relate to all the characters on a different levels. I really really enjoyed this book! I may read it again in the near future.
|
|
|
This amazon.com affiliate Store Owned and Operated by Silkroad Retail Group
Accepted Payment Methods:
American Express, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Eurocard, Visa, Visa Check Cards, Amazon.com gift certificates, payment directly from your bank account, and checks, money orders, or cashier's checks denominated in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, Borders Gift Cards and Waldenbooks Gift Cards as payment for qualifying orders. More information about Shipping & Handling, Delivery Date, Return Policy, Special Offers/Savings etc is available at the time of Secure CheckOut.
© 2006 ChindiaLounge.com All Rights Reserved | Powered by Silkroad Web
| |
