I'm glad I read this book. It started out strong - a powerful birth story of the main Bangladeshi woman: Nazneen. But somewhere toward the middle it became rangy, almost plodding/tedious to me.

Some beautiful, dense writing, qualities of persistence and resilience in some characters - but all in all - there's a pervasive sadness and heartbreak in Brick Lane that I've also found in other compelling, yet (IMO) downer, immigrant stories.

It's not just the role of women - though women's lives portrayed - can feel depressing. It's the struggles of survival and adapting , the misplaced pride, the miscommunication of both men and women - that can be heartbreaking.

There seems such a contrast in the messages girls/women of many cultures receive on their expectations/roles in adulthood - and the messages our kids pick up from family, culture, media:
family loyalty, obedience, acceptance of your fate, learn to love & serve your husband
vs. do something you love, it's your decision, find a soul mate, you deserve an education and to be happy, you can be whatever you want...
Maybe somewhere in between is a more accurate sense of the ups and downs in life - and the importance of our own choices and attitudes, more than circumstances, for creating a meaningful, rewarding life.
(And I wonder sometimes if we've gone overboard - and given our children unrealistic expectations of life that make it difficult for some kids and young adults to cope with disappointment and tougher realities of life).

PS - I never did really understand or like the cover art...

Woo-hoo! Able to hand this off in person to BC friend jamesmum - at our monthly meet-up at Starbucks, Dublin.
Wonderful meeting you and James!

I picked this up from JDT at the tri-valley meetup in April - it's bout timr we started exchanging books in person! I took this book on a little vacation with me, and it was the perfect evening read for me - engaging, but not so fast-paced that I felt the need to rush through it all at once. I loved the whole story, and enjoyed seeing the same situation from several different points of view. Being a stranger-in-a-strange-land myself, I could relate to some parts of the family's immigrant experience, especially that perpetual yet indefinite plan to go home 'sometime soon', but never quite yet. And speaking of 'home', what does that mean to a child who keeps hearing of a homeland that s/he has never seen? Can that really ever be 'home' for them? I read this book while visiting my mother in Nova Scotia, Canada - the place I consider home, though I have been gone for almost twenty years. I wonder what that place will mean to my 7-year-old son when he grows up? Something to think about for me. Thanks, JDT, for sharing - the book will soon be on its way to another BXer. Have fun in Italy!

This arrived today. Thank you so much for fulfilling one of my wishes! I'll be reading it soon.

After all the hype, I wasn't that impressed. Mailing this to JenLuvsBooks... I hope you enjoy it more than I did!

This book has made its way back to California. Thanks Appaloosatb for sending it to me!

I only made it half way through this book. I wanted to find out how things turned out for Nazneen, but didn't have the patience to keep reading through the slow parts.

This book is traveling to Dospescados as part of the "Cliff's Top 50 Relay".

Thanks!

Now this is fun!
I sent this out over a year ago. And after some good travels, here's the same book back in my mailbox!
Thanks, dospescados - and everyone who enjoyed/continued the journey of this book.

Traveling to atnaturesmercy - from her wishlist!
Part of a book relay: "Just because...I want to make you smile"
Enjoy!

Received today thanks to JDT! Thanks... I can't wait to read it. :)