Journal Entry 1 by teachie from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 13, 2005

Set partly in the UK and partly in the Punjab region of India, this is a fresh, bitingly perceptive and totally up-to-the- minute look at one young man's fight to free himself from family expectations and to be himself, free to dance to his own tune. 

Journal Entry 2 by teachie from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 18, 2005

A very enjoyable story. It makes a change to see how an arranged marriage is viewed from the male perspective. This is being sent off as part of a NSSBTS. 

Journal Entry 3 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, October 31, 2005

Received as part of a lovely NSSS gift - thank you so much! I've been looking for this book for AGES - so pleased to have it even if it'll be a few months till it works its way up to the top of the TBR

Thanks again! 

Journal Entry 4 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, February 09, 2006

See - said it would be a few months till I managed to read it!

This was Young Adult fiction, which explains why I'd never been able to find it! Great stuff, about a Panjabi Sikh arranged marriage - from the point of view of the boy. Lively, with an authentic sounding central character, a fun and fast moving plot line with some serious things to say. Towards the end, I couldn't put it down!

I'm going to send this out on a bookring, but only when a few of my current ones have made it home... 

Journal Entry 5 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, May 01, 2006

Journal Entry 6 by LyzzyBee from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Saturday, May 06, 2006

PM'd Lauraloo29 to check OK to send this on to her 

Journal Entry 7 by LyzzyBee at Sent to another BookCrosser in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Sunday, May 07, 2006

Released 7 yrs ago (5/9/2006 UTC) at Sent to another BookCrosser in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Posting to lauraloo29 by Tuesday. 

Journal Entry 8 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Arrived today! I'm not drowning yet, but I feel close to it for bookrings. Not to worry. I will keep the book moving. :)

Update - May 29 - started reading today. 

Journal Entry 9 by lauraloo29 from Edmonton, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, May 30, 2006

This was a nice light book. Refreshing to see the male perspective on arranged marriages and tradition.

I'll be sending it on its way next week. Thank you for sharing! 

Journal Entry 10 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Friday, June 16, 2006

I found this in my mail box just as I was going to visit family for the weekend. What excellent timing, now I will have something to read on the train! 

Journal Entry 11 by omly from Arlington, Massachusetts USA on Friday, June 30, 2006

As has been mentioned elsewhere, this is book is facinating in it's perspective of a young (indian by ethnicity, english by birth) man being pushed into an arranged marriage. This book was really well written. If I had not read a blurb saying this was Bali Rai's first book, I would have had no idea. I will be looking out for anything else by this author.

One thing that I noticed in passing as I have been reading Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit by Vandana Shiva was the mention of the dry river bed when Manny visits India. In this story it just gets a brief mention in that the water had been diverted with a damn. Vandana Shiva, who is also indian, talks about this trend in India (and elsewhere) making me wonder how the diversion of that river, which had been near his family's lands, had affected their farming.

Thanks for the opportunity to discover this new author. I will be sending this book out today to Cinnamon-Girl. 

Journal Entry 12 by Cinnamon-Girl from Sharpsburg, Georgia USA on Friday, July 07, 2006

Received today - I'm excited to read this one, and should have it ready to send on in a couple weeks or so (I have two other bookring books ahead of it).

Thanks for including me in the ring! 

Journal Entry 13 by Cinnamon-Girl from Sharpsburg, Georgia USA on Sunday, July 09, 2006

I finished this book sooner than I expected, as it was a quick and enjoyable read. A refreshing twist on the east-meets-west, traditional vs. modern theme. You can read more of my comments here (caution: minor spoilers).

I'll be mailing this off to Erishkigal in the morning. Thanks for including me in this ring! 

Journal Entry 14 by Erishkigal from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Wednesday, July 19, 2006

arrived yesterday, and I dove in last night...it had been a long day, so I didn't get too far before falling asleep with the book open and light on...lol..something I'm sure a few of you are familiar with... :)



 

Journal Entry 15 by Erishkigal from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Wednesday, July 26, 2006

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I love being exposed to different cultures, and in this there was both the Indian and British Punjabi. And unique to have a male perspective on arranged marriages. I was surprised at the racism, and encouraged that it is lessening in the younger generation. Characters and conflict were very well-developed--I too would not have guessed this was Rai's first book. I will look forward to reading more of his.

Wrapped up and ready to mail to EMA375--expect to get to the PO friday. Thanks, LizzyBee for sharing this! 

Journal Entry 16 by Erishkigal from Salt Lake City, Utah USA on Friday, July 28, 2006

mailed : delivery confirmation # 0306 0320 0002 9313 0783 

Journal Entry 17 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Arrived today! I'll get started as soon as I finish the bookring I'm reading. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 18 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Great story! I've read a lot of books about this culture and arranged marriages, but never a book from a male's perspective. I didn't realize they may share the same worries and fears as the women. Thanks for sharing!

Lotusflower77 is in India (lucky her!) until September. She asked me to to skip her. I will be sending this out to Juliet982 later this week. Thx!
 

Journal Entry 19 by EMA375 from Santa Clarita, California USA on Friday, August 11, 2006

Shipped out today to Juliet982 in Venezuela. I sure hope it arrives safely!

Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 20 by Juliet982 on Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Arrived today! :o) I'm really looking forward to read it, I hope I can read it next week. 

Journal Entry 21 by Juliet982 on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

I really liked the book and the author style. It was an interesting story and I loved to see it from the point of view of the man, since we usually see the woman perspective. and if I am not mistaken this is the author's first book. I would be looking for more by Bali Rai.
Thanks LyzzyBee for the opportunity to read it and discover a new author!
Thanks to EMA375 for shippin it to me!

 

Journal Entry 22 by Juliet982 on Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Sorry it has taken me longer than I thought. We had some health problems in the family, and as usually everything comes together.

I'm sending it today to the next one in the list okyrhoe in Greece.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 

Journal Entry 23 by okyrhoe from Athens, Attica Greece on Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Arrived in my p.o. box today. Thanks LyzzyBee for including me in this ray, and Juliet982 for posting the book to me (with an interesting assortment of stamps on the envelope!).

 

Journal Entry 24 by okyrhoe from Athens, Attica Greece on Wednesday, January 03, 2007

As an example of "Young Adult Fiction" this is an excellent book. It's a well-written narrative and can be read enjoyably by adults of any age. Bali Rai succeeds in shaping a central character, Manny (Manjit), whose personality and narrative voice maintains its authenticity to the very end.

At some points it becomes somewhat disconcerting that Manny's mother is practically absent from the story; Manny hardly has anything to say about her and her maternal role in the family home. But maybe that is exactly how it is for teenage boys, let alone for a young man growing up in England with a very traditional mother figure who is incapable of participating actively in her son's social or scholastic activities.

(un)arranged marriage reminds of the comedy film East is East, which I recommend.
 

Journal Entry 25 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Saturday, January 06, 2007

Arrived this morning, along with two parcels from Canada which have taken 3 days to arrive and a parcel from Bulgaria which has taken SIX weeks to arrive. 

Journal Entry 26 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 23, 2007

The page turning story of Manjit or as he preferred to be called Manny. Set in Leicester and the Punjab region of India. Manny is unhappy, born in England, he does not feel such a link to the Punjabi culture as his parents,including the issue of arranged marriages for his brothers. He wants peace to be his own person. His home is full of noise as his family becomes more extended. He is subjected to more than sibling teasing from his brothers, and some physical abuse from his father.

Manny has one best friend called Ady and has a girl friend, but as he approaches towards his 17th birthday the issue of arranged marriage raises its head. Manny doesn't want to and feels tore between the issues of a quiet life and rebellion.

Taken to India, on what is a holiday, Manny's family leave him behind and return to England. Manny builds a relationship with his Uncle, who has experienced the same issues and broke away from the family tradtion and helps Manny return to England, where Manny becomes his own person and has the life he wants.

I took this to bed last night, with a cuppa, and thought I would read a chapter or two on an early night. The book was written in such a comfortable, easy reading style that I zipped through the book and finished it just before Midnight! Clearly explaining the issues faced by teenagers, I wondered if this was slightly autobiographical? Like a previous reader I was surprised at the issues surrounding racism in the book but I felt that the author had dealt with the complexities of the issues very well for a first book.

I have PM'ed dolph1n for an address, and as soon as I have it, the book will be traveling. 

Journal Entry 27 by AnglersRest from Teignmouth, Devon United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 23, 2007

I now have dolph1n's address, so in the post! 

Journal Entry 28 by dolph1n from Chester, Cheshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 27, 2007

This was waiting for me when I arrived home from my holiday. I will start it today. 

Journal Entry 29 by dolph1n from Chester, Cheshire United Kingdom on Monday, January 29, 2007

I really enjoyed reading this book. I had never thought of how arranged marriages affect the men. It was very interesting to have a male perspective on it. I would like to read more books by this author 

Journal Entry 30 by dolph1n from Chester, Cheshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 01, 2007

It will be on its way to Purplerosebud tomorrow. 

Journal Entry 31 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Thursday, February 08, 2007

Arrived today many thanks. I want to get started straight away after reading the journals but I must finish my current book first. BTW I don't think I will read it quite as quickly as AnglersRest. LOL 

Journal Entry 32 by purplerosebud from Petersfield, Hampshire United Kingdom on Monday, February 19, 2007

I found this an enjoyable book which was quick and easy to read. I found that I was constantly going back to it because I was curious what happened next and whether Manny was able to take control of his life the way he wanted to. I was surprised at the slang language the boys used and the type of language they used withing the family. Now that I know it's a Young Adult book I do think it fits well into that catagory.

A good read, thanks for sharing. On its way to Heaven-Ali very soon. 

Journal Entry 33 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 21, 2007

This arrived safely today - thanks for sending Purplerosebud. I'll get to it after the book I'm reading at the moment. 

Journal Entry 34 by Heaven-Ali from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Sunday, February 25, 2007

This is a lovely little book, compulsively readable, with an engaging, and wonderfully authentic central character in Manjit. As several other people have said, it is intresting to see the whole arranged marriage thing, from a male persepective. Over all a very enjoyable, hard to put down book.


I know that CaterinaAnna is in book ring hell : ) at the moment so I will be sending this out in a few days. 

Journal Entry 35 by Heaven-Ali at to a bookcrosser in sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, March 02, 2007

Released 6 yrs ago (3/2/2007 UTC) at to a bookcrosser in sent by mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

on its way to CaterinaAnna 

Journal Entry 36 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Ouch!
My knuckles hurt!

And deservedly so, for this book has sat around for two weeks which in my (un)arranged mind have been only a couple of days. LyzeeBee and HeavenAli sent me gentle reminders just as it got to the top of Mount Toobie, and I should finish it this evening, so look out for another JE tomorrow ... 

Journal Entry 37 by Caterinaanna from Coventry, West Midlands United Kingdom on Friday, March 30, 2007

It was good to get a male perspective on the issue of arranged marriages, and the voice of the main character was right for his age - a problem that I seem to come to across with books 'written' by teenage protaganists. The part that was hard to believe was how his plan was decided so many years in advance and his anger stoked over all that time.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book and will look for more by this author in due course. 

Journal Entry 38 by Caterinaanna at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases on Friday, March 30, 2007

Released 6 yrs ago (3/30/2007 UTC) at book ring in Mailed to fellow bookcrosser, Postal Release -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

In the post to sjr1969 this afternoon. 

Journal Entry 39 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, April 02, 2007

Received this evening from CaterinaAnna.

This is 2nd on my TBR pile and with the Easter Weekend coming up I should be getting to it then 

Journal Entry 40 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Thursday, April 12, 2007

I wasn't too sure about this book from the first few chapters, some of the charactors seemed a bit one dimensional (especially the women). However from about a third of the way in I really was engaged by the main charactors struggle to find his way between his own and other people's expectations. Thanks for sharing this book and I am Pming the next person on the list for postage instructions. 

Journal Entry 41 by sjr1969 from Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom on Monday, April 23, 2007

the book is on its way to Totoroandmei! 

Journal Entry 42 by totoroandmei from Fukuoka / 福岡市, Fukuoka-ken Japan on Saturday, August 04, 2007

Thanks. Got in the mail today. 

Journal Entry 43 by totoroandmei from Fukuoka / 福岡市, Fukuoka-ken Japan on Thursday, August 30, 2007

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing. 

Journal Entry 44 by totoroandmei at Surface Mail in Bookring, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, August 30, 2007

Released 5 yrs ago (9/1/2007 UTC) at Surface Mail in Bookring, Book Ring -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Going surface mail to Canada. 

Journal Entry 45 by GateGypsy from Whitehorse, Yukon Canada on Thursday, September 20, 2007

Arrived in the mail today via "sea mail" from Japan! I'm looking forward to this, though it will take me a while to get to it. Thanks for your patience!