September Book Club

I have mixed views about this book. On the plus side, there are some strong themes. I liked the setting in Southall and the idea of the classes providing a voice to women who are defined by convention. There is mystery surrounding some suspicious suicides/deaths within the community. There is the oppressive nature of 'The Brothers' and their belief that they have the right to dictate what the women of their community can and cannot do. There is examination of new world versus old; marriage, arranged and otherwise; stigma around divorce; the pressures on women to conform to male definitions of gender-appropriate behaviour; the enforced loneliness of the widows who are not allowed to find love again. The downside for me was the erotic element, which felt as though it was really only there to attract more readers. The tales very quickly became quite predictable and, for me at least, not at all titillating. I felt that the story would have been improved with editing - to have fewer, briefer excerpts from the stories. I could certainly have done without all the throbbing aubergines and peaches! Another weak part, I felt, was Nikki and Jason's romance. Overall, it felt to me as if there is simply too much plot tied up in one book and none of the plots is done justice. This is a pity.
If the author is responding to questions, I should welcome her response to these reservations.

If I was a punjabi widow I may feel somewhat disrespected by this novel, apart from the underlying story of Maya, I found this book boring, and silly in its portrayal of the ladies and their lives, I really don't know what the writer was trying to convey, maybe I need to reread it at some point.

Keep applying for book. But no luck so far.

I've just received a copy of 'Monsoon Summer' by Julia Gregson. Which month is that for?

I am half way through this, and for me, what it lacks in every sense, thus far, is subtlety.

I must admit Iwas a bit put off by the title of this book but persevered anyway.I was interested to read about another culture and how the Punjabi Widows were treated. (Women as second class citizens without a voice). They found this voice through Nikki's class which was originally set up to teach English to the widows. Thy ended up making up their stories but I thought that the erotica felt awkward within the story.
The plot line of the story (murder/suicide) only came about because the widows felt they could talk to each other about their suspicions. Some of this was a bit rushed and the characters a little under developed. Didn’t enjoy this book-club book as much as some others I have received.
Would like to ask the author if this book is based on anything in her own life

Jane10 I don't think "Monsoon Summer" is a monthly book, just a one off book prize.

I have strong family connections to British Asians , so the title sparked my interest immediately. I read a great deal and the look of a book is part of my enjoyment. I really disliked the font used and once focused on it , it intruded into my reading. I already knew about the variety of problems encountered by Asian women, not just Punjabis, So it was a bit of a let down. I felt the story was not strong and was contrived to focus on these problems.
I have never had a book club book before but will try again

Thanks pittcity! Woohoo.

I agree with other reviewers that the really challenging themes of honour killing and the gender discrimination in some communities is marred by the inclusion of the erotic tales. Some editing of these so they were just alluded to or just shorter extracts would have allowed these themes to be more prominent.

I finished the book a few days ago as I found there was always a reason to keep reading but decided to reflect a little before posting. From the title I had imagined this might be outside my usual choice of reading but I like to vary what I read and this book was unexpected and often humorous.
I thought the many threads were interwoven well and several themes were explored through them. I found the stories themselves surprising and perhaps a little uncomfortable at first but soon realised they would be the key to unlocking all the other mysteries and so it proved. There was plenty of action and reaction to keep the story moving and everything comes together at the end.
I see from the author bio on the flap that she worked as a writer in residence in Southall and wondered how much of the setting if not the stories comes from this experience. Also, as someone who has lived and worked in many countries and with many cultures how does she think the stories would be received elsewhere? Is the feeling of discomfort about them more to do with the reader than the culture portrayed?

Well written and caught the imagination. However quite hard going at times and probably an author I wouldn't seek out again

The title was intriguing and really out of my normal comfort zone although I am very broad minded. I found it a very quick and easy read and enjoyed it although I do not feel I can recommend it to all my friends. I can't help wondering if Punjabi widows really think like that when they are all together. It would be interesting to know how that community reacted to the book. Also I would like to ask the author how she came up with the idea of the subject matter. I would like to read another of her books.

Like many readers, I don't really like "Mummy porn". I feel it is unnecessary and a bit fruity and predictable - although the discussion held about what the English comparison for... penis, was very funny!
The rest was a bit pedestrian - nicely woven story lines, but not very exciting. Then end came a bit too suddenly, it felt like all the ends needed to be neatly tied too.
Not my favourite bookclub book to date.

Whilst highlighting social issues within Sikh communities, the story gives an insight into the traditions and principles the Punjabi women are expected to adhere to on a daily basis. A humorous and well composed novel.

Very mixed feelings about this book. As some others have said I would have liked less focus on the erotic tales and more space for the important underlying issues. I have some awareness from personal experiences and would have liked to feel this awareness had been deepened. I found parts absorbing, but much frustrating. It would be interesting to hear how the author researched her subject and how her book has been received by the community she writes about. I wonder too who was intended to be the target audience. I've an open mind about the author's writing and would be interested to try more of her work.

I felt this book taught me quite a lot about Sikh culture. I had to keep dipping into the internet whilst reading it. There were so many names of things that I hadn't ever heard of before and needed to look up in order to make any real sense of the scenarios. Not a bad thing. I too am curious about Balli Kaur Jaswal's target audience. I didn't actually like the book and found it quite difficult to get to the end. The book cover is beautiful but attracted the attention of my ten year old granddaughter. I knew I should have hidden it! To quote from the book's Page 90......'Whoa.....I was not expecting that. I thought these were all going to be granny romance stories. These are all-out naughty.' It was there in the title really.

When I started this book I though great this is going to be enjoyable but sadly I was disappointed. I am now three quarter through and struggling to carry on as finding it boring and the characters not real.

Um ...different is all I can say! Not really what I was expecting but I suppose the book title says what you'll get in the tin. Quite light hearted in places but it was as if the author had to make it a bit meaty and pad it out by including the 'sexy' stories from the widows. Struggling with the last few chapters I'm afraid!

The Hiding Places by Katherine Webb.
I was one of the lucky 15 winners and have just finished reading it. Thank you. Very enjoyable with excellent descriptions of poverty-stricken life and also well-off life. A murder investigated by two of the main protagonists, well thought out.

Thank you for my copy - I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it touching in parts, amusing in others and liked the fact it was different to anything else I have read. I am looking forward to reading more from the author and would like to ask whether you know Punjabi widows who have engaged in anything remotely like this and also what the reaction has been like from your Punjabi readers. Thank you again for a thoroughly enjoyable read

I enjoyed this book too and would like to ask the author about her inspiration for the very different parts of the story that made up the book as a whole.

I enjoyed this book and see the 'erotic stories' as an integral part of the plot. I don't think the characters are meant to be 'real' but a representation of several truths about the Punjabi community in London beginning with a misunderstanding of translation and digging up more along the way.
I'd recommend it for anyone with an open mind who is willing to compare male appendages to aubergines - can't see the similarity myself. .......

Thank you very much for my copy. I have enjoyed reading it and it is different subject matter from the usual books I read. I was interested to read about the Sikh culture and the different sort of problems Punjabi women face. Overall I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.