Last "Mango" Post

Hey, so I finished Climbing the Mango Trees about a week ago. I blame my tardy posting on Alaskan summers. They're very precious and choosing between going to the lake and typing on the computer......well there's no contest. But the book is read and I have to say I'm a little disappointed in it. The author style was very choppy. At first I didn't mind it, I kept thinking she would come back to each thought and expand on it but as I got closer to the end I figure out that wasn't the case. The book ended feeling very unfinished. I guess I was just looking for a more indepth book on Indian culture and this wasn't it. It was interesting though. She sure makes Indian food sound good. Jordan has been bugging us to try some of the recipes in the back. So for all of you who read the book here are some questions.

What did you think of the authors writing style? Do you agree that is was choppy and unfinished?

What did you think about the books view of Indian culture? What part of the culture did you like, what did you not like?

I still felt like I wasn't getting a good view of Indian culture. I liked the picnics with the whole family, that sounded like alot of fun, and the mountain vacation site sounded so pretty. I did not like how weak the culture made her father appear.

Have you tried any of the recipes???

Check in and tell us if you read the book or didn't read the book.

P.S. : ) Who likes the elephant?

Round 2

So, you should all have started your copy of SM(Small Miracles of the Holocaust), assuming you've purchased or checked it out from the library already, assuming you've even finished Climbing the Mango Trees. You have three weeks to finish it so figure out a schedule that will get you through by then.

As you finish each story, feel free to go ahead and write what you thought about it. We don't have to wait till we're half way through to begin discussion.

The next book Bekah has chosen to read once we've finished SM will be The Fallacy Detective.I've always wanted to take an in depth look at what all the different fallacies are and I've heard rave reviews on this book. It's written for younger audience, and I think is mainly centered towards Christian homeschoolers, but I've heard it's still is a good read for adults too.

So, what do you think?

                                                  

Hi everyone.  : )  So I'm almost done with Climbing the Mango Trees, just a few more chapters to go.   I bought a few mangoes and tried the spicy mixture she mentions at the very beginning of the book.   Ground salt, pepper, chiles (I used cayenne) and roasted cumin (I roasted it in a skillet on the stove top)  I had my mom and Mrs. Joy try it too, they loved it. : )  If any of you try it make sure you post what you think.  I few things about the book so far: 

I have heard a few people complain that the author seems very self absorbed.  Keep in mind, people, that this is not a history of India.  It's an autobiography of sorts, meaning it's about the author.  It would be hard to write an autobiography without writing about yourself. : )  Though I have to admit, while I enjoy hearing about her life in an elite multi-cultural Indian family, I can't shake the nagging thought we are only getting a look at a small section of the Indian culture at the time.   I'm sure her story is not the story of the majority of Indians and I'd like to get a more accurate view of "middle class" India.

May favorite parts (there are two : )  are when she compared herself to British heroines (Elizabeth Bennett being one, who just happens to be my favorite heroine ever) this part had Tobi rolling with laughter : )  and second favorite part was when see wrote the essay about what it is to be Indian after Partition.   Sounds like she understood her privileged position and even may have been discriminated against because of it.  I thought that was very interesting that she would come up with it on her own and that she wanted to write about it.  

I looked up a few more thing on google. : )  Lutyens was mentioned all through the book as the designer of New Delhi.   Seems like he made a big impact on that city of India.  I also looked up blancmange, after hear the description of the Indian and Muslim food it does look a little bland.