Journal Entry 1 by jaynereader from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 08, 2004

the story of four generations of women in a Malaysian family spanning most of the twentieth century

I'm going to set this up as my first bookray.

This ray has now been sent off

Members are as follows

MEMBER / LOCATION:
nyassa UK
apolonia US
lauraloo29 US
Megi53 US
liltricks (New Zealand, can post anywhere)
blaisezabini12 (Romania, international)

This is how it works:
When you have read the book, PM the next person on the list for their address.
Please journal the book as soon as you receive it (so we all know where it currently is) and again once you've read it (so we know what you thought of it).
If you're the last person on the list, then you are free to release it...



 

Journal Entry 2 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Arrived safely today, thank you jaynereader. 

Journal Entry 3 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Sunday, January 16, 2005

I finished this while I was on holiday.

I found the book a little disappointing because it did not seem to live up to its initial promise. It really seemed to be a tale of unrelenting misery. I kept expecting things to turn out better but it never did. It certainly is a strong and powerful novel though.

On its way to apolonia in tomorrow's post. 

Journal Entry 4 by Apolonia from Lynn, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, February 03, 2005

I received this book in the mail today Thank you! I will leave another journal entry once it's finished. 

Journal Entry 5 by Apolonia from Lynn, Massachusetts USA on Wednesday, March 02, 2005

When I got this book I have to say I wasn't looking foward to it. I didn't think it would be my style and it is longer than your normal paperback.
I was pleasantly surprised, it sucked me in right away, it was never dull and I couldn't wait to see how it ended. It is a sad book, and it does have a lot of misery, but I still highly reccommed it. I may Even purchase my own copy to share with my non-bookcrossing friends. If you like family saga type books, I can't imagine you wouldn't like this one. I am going to try to get it in the mail today to Lauraloo29. If I don't make it to the post office today, it will definetely go out tomorrow.
Thank you Jaynereader for sharing, I probably wouldn't have picked this one up on my own. 

Journal Entry 6 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Arrived today. I have a couple of rings before it, but I will keep the book moving. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 7 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Sunday, March 27, 2005

Sadly, I couldn't get into this book. Not sure why. I didn't mind the writing style. If it was a bit thinner I might plod through it, but not for this size. Not to worry, my TBR pile is calling me! :)

I'm sending this to Megi53 on Friday. Thank you for sharing! 

Journal Entry 8 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Came today -- this book is beautiful!

I can't wait to start reading it and I hope to start tonight. (Just 80 more pages in my current book.) 

Journal Entry 9 by Megi53 from Danville, Virginia USA on Saturday, April 30, 2005

This is without a doubt the most engaging book I've read all year.

I knew next-to-nothing about Malaysia and the whole Pacific theater in World War II. Finding out about other parts of the world and their history is one of my very favorite reasons for reading. *The Rice Mother* was fascinating in that respect.

Descriptions of houses and furniture, good cooking, clothes and cosmetics, animals and marketplaces, exquisite floral arrangements -- done to perfection by Rani Manicka.

I have just two quibbles: first, as in a lot of 600-page books I've read since I joined BC, the narration got weary after about the 400th page. The grandchildren and great-granddaughter weren't nearly as interesting to read about as Lakshmi, Ayah, and their children.

Second, I felt like the entire Japanese race and nation was hated to an unreasonable extreme, not only by the characters, but by the author herself. I discussed this idea with a couple of other bookcrossers (hey, Apolonia!) and IMHO the constant "yellow faces/evil slit eyes" statements crossed the line into racism. (Just my opinion -- like I said, I didn't know anything about Japanese war crimes until I read this book.)

Here comes a spoiler: run cursor over white space to read.

I predicted early on that one of the descendents would marry a Japanese person, but I thought that marriage would lay the old hatreds to rest. Instead, Manicka made the Luke character into a sadist, and made sure to note that his wife committed hara-kiri with his Japanese sword.

On a lighter (?) note, the scene where Ratha builds Jeyan a birthday cake is priceless! Even if you quit reading before the end, don't miss it (page 540).

Mailing to liltricks in New Zealand today. 

Journal Entry 10 by liltricks on Wednesday, June 15, 2005

sorry i havent the chance to say i got this book some week and a half ago, i've been out on the road... but the whole time i couldnt put this book down IT IS SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.... so good infact i had to stop at the nearest internet cafe to find its next home its just so increadibly vivid, if it was painted in colour it would taste like mango durian frappe... AMAZING!!
im pretty sure its four gerenrations of stories and not just the three it says in its blurb.... never the less so much pain so much love so much regret... AMAZING! im waiting to read the next book rani manicka puts out! BRILLIANT author... FANTASTIC! there arent enough words to express how awesome it really is! so consider this a got the book, read the book, contacting next person now kinda entry.... sowwy 

Journal Entry 11 by blaisezabini12 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA on Tuesday, August 02, 2005

This book was picked up by my brother from the post office. I have just returned from Italy and it was one of the many books waiting for me home:) Will read as soon as possible!

12 August 05: I agree with some of the other readers - it was an AMAZING reading.
Some of my comments:
1. I liked the fact that Mohini didn't get the chance to tell her side of the story - it was more interesting to try to reconstruct the puzzle from the other points of view.
2. I would have liked to find out more about Anna as she was my favorite character - too bad the writer had to sacrifice some of the stories:( (although I would have probably enjoyed another 500 pages:))
...now I just have to find another reader for this great book.
Thank you jaynereader for organising this ray.

3 February 06: reserved for Shauney as part of the Asian Swap.

13 February 06: mailed today!