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?

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. 

Half Way There Yet?

We kind of prolonged the time for finishing Climbing the Mango Trees because it's the first book and we started it on short notice. I've updated the reading schedule and you can find it to the right on the sidebar. Everyone should be done with Climbing the Mango Trees by June 6th so you guys have a lot of time now.

So, now that everyone should be half way(up to chapter 15) through Climbing the Mango Trees we should begin some official discussion on the first half. Has everyone gotten their copy yet? Are you all half way through? What do you think so far? What are your favorite parts out of what you've read so far? What have you found interesting? Hopefully we can fill this comment section up with a lot of book discussion.

Also, I'm giving you a quick reminder to get a hold of a copy of Small Miracles of the Holocaust as soon as possible. We're starting it on June 7th and that's gonna be here in no time. Unless you want to be stuck behind all the discussion, get your copy now.

Thanks,
Enjoy the discussion...

Research

Hi everyone! Where you all able to get a copy of Climbing the Mango Trees? I hope so, it's interesting so far. I've always wanted to study India's history, it seems very complex and not what I thought at first. I thought Indian culture would be more like Arab culture, closed to western influence and strict about their religion and women. There is a lot of terms in this book that I don't understand, it would take forever to look them all up but a did look a few up. Oh! but first how many of you knew that Om meant "I am"? What do you think of that? Interesting huh?

So I did a little research on the Indian caste system. It is so complex. Every caste has many subcastes. But there is four main castes Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras in order from highest to lowest. Kayastha, the caste the author belongs to, it somehow is connected to the Brahmins this makes her upper caste. I get the feeling that not all of India lived like her. I'd like to read about life for one of the lower caste during the same time period written by the lower caste but since they didn't read or write that is probably very rare.
Here is a map of India during the British rule.


You can see Delhi in the center at the top. Couldn't find a map of Old Delhi.
Here is a sample of Sanskrit. It is very pretty. I wish English looked like that with all the curly things. : )
The internet has shut down on me three times since I started this post so just one more thing.
How would you like to live in a joint family like the author did???? : ) I think it sounds like a lot of fun. Let us know what you all think of the book so far.

Rules and an Anouncement

Hi everyone!!!  Sauron here. : )  Those of you who know me well will understand this blog, the rest of you might get a little frustrated, though I hope not.  Or you who do know me well might get frustrated just aticipating how you know this blog will be ran. : ) I apoligize in advance.  The only reason I'm involving myself with this whole blog thing at all is because this blog will be based on books (my first love) and people's opinions.  As soon as Tobi set this up I found lots of books I'd like to read but know I won't by myself.  I've already picked the first book out and am having a hard time keeping myself from reading it.   I'll tell you the name in a little bit.   So rule......... : ) the number one rule is there are no rules and when I do make rules they are subject to change without notice.  : )hehehe Just kidding.  I'll start with answering Aimee's question.   No, you don't have to read every book.   I am not planning on reading every book myself.  In fact if there is a book you'd like to read and several other members of the book club want to read it we can work it so that you could do a guest post or something like that.  I want lots of book suggestions!  My vision for this blog is for it to be more like a public forum then a one person blog, with maybe several books going at once.  Since we all pretty much read the same stuff, me and Tobi thought it would be fun just to read the books we are already going to read sometime, at the same time.  : ) So we can talk about them.   That's what this blog is really all about, talking about books.  That is going to require input.  No following without commenting!!  There has got to be a way to take followers off it they don't participate.  hhhmmm I'll have to ask Tobi.  I want everyone to use this blog to discuss books they've read.  What you liked, what you didn't like.  Don't worry about making your comments too long.   And because the comments aren't moderated you and someone else could have a whole discussion with me having to check my blog every few hours. : )  I love it!!  So.....rules, 

Rule 1

You must comment.  Right now we want just one book suggestion from each member. 

Rule 2

Anyone can be a member, anyone.  Even the dreaded ATB.  : )

Rule 3

hhhhmmmmm, rule 3....... Oh yeah, I don't promise to read any book, but I hope that doesn't stop you from reading it.  Let me know if you want to guest post a review. 

Rule 4

Discussion = Opinions   Expect to be challanged.  You can't just say you "like" a book, you have to back it up and tell the club why.   This should include writing style (use example quotations from the book), favorite characters or dialoge, how the book made you feel, what the authors motives or message was , etc.  Basically discussion should include details. It is also ok if you hate a book just let everyone know why.  Since no one here is the author no one should get offended.

Rule 5

If any book contains characters, actions, or dialoge that is not christian you'd better mention it if you notice it.  We are Christians so I expect all of us to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" and point out sin were ever we see it.   This doesn't mean tha

t one wrong thing ruins the whole book.  example: The Scarlet Pimpernel  (comment if you know what I'm talking about) But exposing wrong will help others develope their sin radars, : ) for lack of a better term. 

Rule 6

Does anyone have a rule 6?????   Come on, participation is welco

me.  

So now the announcment, drum roll, please......... the first book the Dragonfly book club will read is,  Climbing the Mango Trees - A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey