Queen of Dreams
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: 0349119414 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0349119414 Global Overview for this book
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
4 journalers for this copy...
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Spiked with elements of mystery, suspense and the supernatural, Divakaruni's sixth novel is a pleasantly atypical tale of self-discovery. Rakhi, a single mother and struggling artist living in Berkeley, Calif., has always been vaguely aware of her own mother's unusual gift the ability to interpret dreams. Between juggling a laundry list of other priorities keeping her floundering tea shop afloat after a Starbucks-esque supercafe moves in across the street, battling her ex-husband for their daughter's affections, finding her artistic voice Rakhi longs to know more about her mother's past and her own hazy Indian heritage. After a mysterious car accident claims her mother's life, Rakhi, with her father's help, sets out to decipher Mrs. Gupta's dream journals in hopes of unlocking the secrets of her peculiar double life. A shadowy man in white who appears at pivotal moments, a sinister rival and entries from Mrs. Gupta's dream journals all punctuate this cleverly imagined tale of love, forgiveness and new beginnings. Meanwhile, September 11 disrupts Rakhi's search for identity, and a vicious attack on her friends and family calls their notions of citizenship into question. Divakaruni (The Mistress of Spices; Sister of My Heart; etc.) does a good job working current issues into the novel and avoids synthetic characterization, creating a free-flowing story that will captivate readers. Agent, Sandra Dijkstra. (Sept. 14) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly
Spiked with elements of mystery, suspense and the supernatural, Divakaruni's sixth novel is a pleasantly atypical tale of self-discovery. Rakhi, a single mother and struggling artist living in Berkeley, Calif., has always been vaguely aware of her own mother's unusual gift the ability to interpret dreams. Between juggling a laundry list of other priorities keeping her floundering tea shop afloat after a Starbucks-esque supercafe moves in across the street, battling her ex-husband for their daughter's affections, finding her artistic voice Rakhi longs to know more about her mother's past and her own hazy Indian heritage. After a mysterious car accident claims her mother's life, Rakhi, with her father's help, sets out to decipher Mrs. Gupta's dream journals in hopes of unlocking the secrets of her peculiar double life. A shadowy man in white who appears at pivotal moments, a sinister rival and entries from Mrs. Gupta's dream journals all punctuate this cleverly imagined tale of love, forgiveness and new beginnings. Meanwhile, September 11 disrupts Rakhi's search for identity, and a vicious attack on her friends and family calls their notions of citizenship into question. Divakaruni (The Mistress of Spices; Sister of My Heart; etc.) does a good job working current issues into the novel and avoids synthetic characterization, creating a free-flowing story that will captivate readers. Agent, Sandra Dijkstra. (Sept. 14) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
What a really GREAT SURPRISE from my Birthday Buddy in England! Thank you so much for the wonderful package! An enchanting, ethereal, and earthy novel that I have been looking forward to reading for along time and, well ... CHOCOLATE! My boys were frothing to get a bit. But, oh, no!!! This is WOMENS chocolate: dark & rich, definitely not for children. YowlYY, you've really made my birthday special!!!!
July 12, 2010: On the "short list," nearing the top of Mount TBR, being offered as part of Round 4 of the "BROWSE OUR SHORT LIST RABCK OFFER" ... (Link) and Reserved for JDT in California!
Sept 3, 2010: I'm finally getting to read this book! I can't wait! Thank you!
Sept. 4, 2010: I loved this book so much that I sat in the coffee shop all morning until I finished it! Towards the end, I found myself skimming through some of the chapters that were "journal entries" but then found myself going back to them, after all, when I wanted to see how they applied to the present day story. I'm so bad, I can't even MAKE BELIEVE I don't want to read something ... LOL. The imagery was beautiful, the juxtaposition of art reflecting reality was surprising, the blending of the old customs and the new into the story was interesting, and the supernatural bits were, well, supernaturally eerie! LOL! Thank you, Yowlyy, for this birthday present!
July 12, 2010: On the "short list," nearing the top of Mount TBR, being offered as part of Round 4 of the "BROWSE OUR SHORT LIST RABCK OFFER" ... (Link) and Reserved for JDT in California!
Sept 3, 2010: I'm finally getting to read this book! I can't wait! Thank you!
Sept. 4, 2010: I loved this book so much that I sat in the coffee shop all morning until I finished it! Towards the end, I found myself skimming through some of the chapters that were "journal entries" but then found myself going back to them, after all, when I wanted to see how they applied to the present day story. I'm so bad, I can't even MAKE BELIEVE I don't want to read something ... LOL. The imagery was beautiful, the juxtaposition of art reflecting reality was surprising, the blending of the old customs and the new into the story was interesting, and the supernatural bits were, well, supernaturally eerie! LOL! Thank you, Yowlyy, for this birthday present!
July 12, 2010: Being sent to JDT in California as part of Round 4 of the "BROWSE OUR SHORT LIST RABCK OFFER" ... (Link)
Happy Traveling, Book, and Happy Reading, JDT!
Happy Traveling, Book, and Happy Reading, JDT!
A wonderful RABCK - thanks so much, Dove-i-Libri!
I've read 4 other books by this author, and last year our local BC meetup group enjoyed a wonderful telephone conversation with her about The Palace of Illusions (which I recommend if you enjoyed Queen of Dreams.)
I'm still smiling at your kindness, and look forward to adding this book near the top of my TBR stacks!
I've read 4 other books by this author, and last year our local BC meetup group enjoyed a wonderful telephone conversation with her about The Palace of Illusions (which I recommend if you enjoyed Queen of Dreams.)
I'm still smiling at your kindness, and look forward to adding this book near the top of my TBR stacks!
I love her descriptions, the sense of the mystical, the importance of dreams, the tension within Rakhi: a modern divorced businesswoman in Berkeley, California - who is also the daughter of an intriguing, strong, secretive woman from India with amazing powers of interpreting dreams and a mysterious past story.
Maybe too many elements included - including 9/11?! But all in all - a wonderful, rich read.
Thanks again, Dove-i-Libri!
Maybe too many elements included - including 9/11?! But all in all - a wonderful, rich read.
Thanks again, Dove-i-Libri!
Oops! Picked up this book at our February BC meeting, and discovered I'd already read (and enjoyed) it. Back it will go for re-release at the March meeting.
back home for awhile - before the next journey!
Picked up again at our local meetup this evening.
Thanks, Calif-BookLover!
Picked up again at our local meetup this evening.
Thanks, Calif-BookLover!
Journal Entry 8 by JDT at Holiday Inn Express, on the river in Corvallis, Oregon USA on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (6/30/2011 UTC) at Holiday Inn Express, on the river in Corvallis, Oregon USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
on a side table in the lobby/fireplace area
Please help track this book's journey!
The book is your to keep or share - enjoy!
Please help track this book's journey!
The book is your to keep or share - enjoy!
