“ This is a very curious book about the history of Sri Lanka, which was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, and British for over four hundred years. One of the main points of the book is to look at influences of western culture on the Sri Lankan people. Even though, it is obvious that influences of colonizers are vast, there are not many systematic studies that address this issue. The author looks at pertinent historical archives and aims to interpret them in order to answer questions about Sri Lanka and its people. Most of the time, the author uses lesser-known sources of history, which were not used in previous studies. And of course, with interpretations and more obscure sources comes controversy, since some speculations and assumptions have to be made, which may not be appealing to everyone.
 

“Sri Lanka has a truly unique history. “The Gentiles: A History of Sri Lanka: 1498-1833” covers the history of the island from their first contact with Europeans in the fifteenth century and their unique relationship with the Portuguese, Dutch, and British through the years. With plenty of maps, drawings and photographs, “The Gentiles” is a fine addition to any history collection focusing on Southeast Asia”. (8 December 2009)

“ There is nothing I enjoy more than reading a book that is described by the publisher and critics as “controversial” or “provocative”. “The Gentiles: A History of Sri Lanka 1498-1833,” a carefully researched and well-written book by Agnes Padmini Thambynayagam is such a book. As you may have guessed by her name, Ms. Thambynayagam was born in Sri Lanka and spent her growing up years there.

The Gentiles: A History of Sri Lanka 1498-1833” by Agnes Thambynayagam is not only an excellent read, but a first-rate piece of academic research as well. It is meticulously documented with footnotes and bibliographies; and contains a treasure trove of maps, drawings and photographs – many of the latter of friends and family of the author. Reading this book will take you on a fascinating journey through a charming and exotic country hitherto mostly unknown save for news coverage of a civil conflict that appears to now be resolved.”(16 November 2009)

“ The peace of Christ, Thank you for the book, the fruit of so much labour and … so   many years. Are you still going on your work of research? It looks as if you have reproduced all the maps of Sri Lanka that have been published. I counted 23 maps! By the way, what do you mean by the word Gentiles?” (21 Nov 2009)

 

“ We were happy to receive your book, Agnes, which we have been reading with interest and appreciation. Now we await yours, Michael, though whether we’ll be able to understand it as well is another matter! This has been a particularly busy year, celebrating the University’s 800^th anniversary. It will turn 801 years old in a few days!” (29 December 2009)

“ Dear Agnes, Very many thanks for the book, which I have just received since returning to Oxford. I was in India in December on a research trip. It is a great achievement and you should be very proud.” (29 January 2010)

“According to the reviews, it is a well-written book and it is evident you did a splendid job in conducting your research and documenting your findings. Congratulations!

Please know we at the University of Bridgeport are very proud of you and we wish you continued success in all your future endeavors.” (1 March 2010)

“ I am enjoying your book. The photos alone make it a worthy addition to my archival collection (that is books I keep forever).” (July7, 2010)

"Thanks very much for letting me know about your book. It looks fascinating. I’ll be sure to get a copy. Congratulations and all the very best.” (June 30, 2010)

“ I will take a look at your book with great interest. I actually lived in Sri Lanka once, so its history is a subject close to my heart” (July 11, 2010)

“I look forward to reading this study and thanks for sending it to me. It is a fascinating and important topic.” (July 23, 2010)

“Agnes, greetings, good to hear from you – and congratulations on your book! I am sure it is a great feeling to see it in print, and to receive such positive comments. I am at Harvard, I think you know, and keeping busy as Director of CSWR. I have not been back to Oxford since 2007.” (June 16,2010)

 

“ Your book looks fine! The illustrations turned out very well. Friday and yesterday, I have been reading in it. What struck me most is the personal touch you gave it and the love for your parents and ancestors, and for the people of Sri Lanka in general.

A very special treat and surprise is the letter by Dr. Perniola that you reproduced on page viii. I didn’t know he is still living in Kandy. You must have made him very happy with your book.” (24 January 2010)

“Coming back from Latin America, I found the book and immediately I began to read it and to look at the pictures. I am very happy to have received it and to be able to read it. It reminds me so many things. Many thanks really.’ (20 February 2010)

“ I read your book on Sri Lanka’s ‘gentiles’ with interest. I think you did well to indicate that Sri Lanka’s population, cultures and institutions are an amalgam of influences; would that such obvious truth occupied the heads of those who command one of the most vicious (and racist) regimes in today’s world, a regime which has visited untold suffering on the Tamils, who – in almost every sense – are the brothers of the Sinhalese who torment them, as you show.” (27 March 2009)

‘Yesterday, I received a copy of your very interesting book, ‘The Gentiles, A History of Sri Lanka 1498-1833’. Before receiving your book, we already announced it in our quarterly bulletin of February, but we intend to discuss it in more detail in our May bulletin.” (12 February 2010)

“It was a pleasant surprise to receive your e-mail – I wonder how the news about a hydrologist came your way, a historian/anthropologist. The Sri Lankan Tamil community is quite highly connected!

Thanks for your email and congratulations. I appreciate it. In fact I did buy your book, after being alerted by amazon.com, and I believe I have completed reading it. Great book. The family history was quite amazing and illuminating.” (July 16, 2010)

“I received ‘The Gentiles: A History of Sri Lanka 1498-1833’ yesterday and I’ve just about finished reading it already! It’s a real “page-turner”!

I was completely taken aback at the quality and beauty of your book. The text, brought to life with personal mementoes, is as pleasant to read as the photos, pictures and antique maps are to look at. Thanks to you. I’m learning plenty about your fascinating homeland. It would make a great companion book for students studying the Portuguese and Dutch regimes of Sri Lanka.

It would also be interesting to Portuguese and Dutch historians. Genealogists would be very interested in this background work.

My heartfelt congratulations on work well done!” (July 6, 2010)

 

“ Your book is outstanding! What a wonderful contribution to the history of Sri Lanka, to the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British and to the Church! Mainly, it is a gift to a civilization and to the indigenous people. You did a splendid job of research digging for the truth around the globe and presenting a very clear argument, which transcends politics, religion and popular folklore. Well done! I hope you get all the recognition you deserve. I particularly like the way you invite discourse, acknowledge so many people who were with you on this journey and have made a potentially dry subject come to life. Your passion for truth and justice have led the way for you and you are modest about the many hurdles and challenges you overcame in writing this book.” (27 January 2010)

“ Your book is an important contribution to the history of Sri Lanka. Bill and I have both been studying the maps and photos that you included. He is very interested in history of Sri Lanka. And he has found the book to be very compelling. I plan to read it thoroughly this weekend. You can be rightfully proud of your creation.” (29 January 2010)

“ I read through your book during the Christmas holidays. Your book brought in number of new interpretations, which were not touched by previous authors. For the first time I was able to think of the population statistics. If the population in 1821 was about 800,000, the population in circa 1400 would have been about 50,000 and very much less in the times mentioned in Mahavamsa.

Tamil community should be proud of you for bringing out a new focus on the history of Ceylon. You have included many maps and pictures. I think there are many more unpublished pictures, which can be brought out as an album. Tamils in various countries should search the archives and publish all related articles and pictures that are relevant to our history.” (7 January 2010)

“ When I received an email from Ferdi regarding the publication of a book I decided to order a copy, mostly out of curiosity. However, now having read the book I am really glad that I did get a copy since this book is one of the better researched and documented books on the history of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) during a given time period.

The book is extremely well researched and the list of reference provided by the author is phenomenal. The author has taken great pains to visit libraries and museums in different countries to gather original information in foreign languages and have that information translated into English by reliable translators. The information that was presented for example, ancient maps of Ceylon, pictures of various dignitaries and photographs of common friends was a delight to see and was also of excellent quality. While some of the ideas suggested by author may appear controversial, it motivates the reader to “dig” deeper and read more in the specific area. This is definitely a book worth having in all Sri Lankan homes purely for its excellent reference value.” (6 February 2010)

 

“ I have finished reading your book! Excellent. Very well done.

You have carried out a lot of research on this as is evident all the way through. Am I right in thinking that a complete history in the manner you have carried it out has never been published before? You have certainly made some interesting discoveries, some of which contradict accepted history handed down. Strangely enough, I found chapter 4 particularly interesting because it gives an insight to standards elsewhere in 1498. We don’t really envisage there being civilised existences in East Africa at that time.

I was rather surprised at the sub-chapter on pagodas. I have to say that the description did not correspond with my understanding of Pagodas.

I must admit that I had never associated the cock at the top of a spire with religious meanings. I always took it to be part of a weather vane. So, I have done a little research. It seems that the cock emblem was formulated in Roman times to represent St. Peter’s downfall. The emblem means ‘be on your guard’ or ‘be alert’. Apparently early Christian Churches adopted this emblem.

The good thing about reading books like yours is that it stimulates further investigation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book.” (4 January 2010)

“ I just finished reading your book. It was a pleasure reading it, though some of what you say might be construed as controversial. You have done extensive research and well documented.

Your sources of information give a lot of credibility to back your views. I found a photo of you with H.L. Seneviratne. He is a batch mate of mine (at Univ. of Peredeniya) and recently we got in touch by email. Sarath Amunugama was also in the University during my time but Junior. Gananath Obeyesekere was a well-known lecturer during 4 years in the University. I saw the review of your book where the writer says the word Gentiles is normally refers to people who are not Jews.” (29 November 2009)

“Your book is great! It is very useful for History Students/ Teachers/Readers.

Keep up your Good Work!” (1 April 2010)

“ I finished reading your book last night - Congratulations on your extensive research and excellent writing – it is amazing and I don’t know how you managed to sift through so much to write your views precisely.” (1 April 2010)

 

Congratulations on your achievement! I’m happy to read so many well-known people appreciating your work. Your father Francis master will be proudly looking at your dedication (from heaven) to a noble cause of explaining to the world who these Tamils are. (26 March 2010)

“I’m so happy that your book has come out great! Congratulations!

I’m sure you will be happy to have contributed your share for the cause of our people. Keep going and God be with you.” (October 25, 2009)

 

“ This is to Congratulate with great joy and happiness in publishing the fruit of your labour. It is really a big effort and I am proud of you. I don’t know how can you manage to produce such a big research in spite of your other engagements”

(7 January 2010)

"Congratulations for all your labour and effort to fulfil your ambition to sit and complete the book - Well done Agnes! Margaret teacher (English teacher at Jaffna HFC) should have been living to see her students’ work to write a book & publish it – Thank God. All will be proud of you.” (21 January 2010)

“I went through your book and it made me really proud! So many scholars have appreciated your production. It is to be applauded. As to me, since I’m no historian, it filled me with a personal admiration for you, as I kept remembering you as a student. I didn’t have to read it with a critical eye, as a historian! Congratulations dear Agnes! And Congratulations to your family who helped you emerge as a writer of repute!

I was surprised to find that you know Fr. Perniola so well. How wonderfully he corresponds at his age!

Agnes, I wish you & Michael all the good things in life. You share God’s bounty with everyone. That’s what we are all supposed to do. But few of us do. All the best.” (27 June 2010)

 

“Many Congratulations on your book published. It’s a great milestone, only a handful have achieved. Well done! I have read your book, not completed yet. It’s very well written and the illustrations are amazing. You have done a lot of hard work.” (23 December 2009)

“ Congratulations Agnes! Familians are proud of you. Our Very Best Wishes on your future endeavours” (1 November 2009).

“ Well done Agnes! Your book looks very good & a lot of hard work has gone into it” (29 December 2009)

“Congratulations Agnes! I bought your book and read it. It is a wonderful book with sincere research work.” (27 March 2010)

 

“There are two schools of thought. One is very appreciative of the hard work and the fantastic book bearing of fruitful facts. The other one is an extension of a family tree which brings out a lot of facts about our caste, race, religions and the people - Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims.” (26 January 2010)

 

“Congratulations Pathmini! I have glanced through your book but I have to read in detail. It is a historical document. You did a good job writing it.” (22 February 2010)

“ I got your book. I haven’t completed it yet but I am very much impressed and amazed at the amount of work you must have put in to complete this book. I am very proud of you. It is a pleasure to have known you and your family.” (6 March 2010)

I read your book and it was very informative. History was my weakest subject at school. Still I enjoyed your book.. I have kept it in my sitting room so that when Sri Lnkan visitors come, they can have a look at it and order a copy if they are interested. May God Bless you all.

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is one of my favorite author is a fact which I have never hidden and I closely follow her blog as well. In February I came to know about the release of this book and was itching to buy it. Sadly, it was yet to release in India and thus began my struggle. I went through her site to know about release in India and stumbled across few mail ID’s i.e. of her agent/ publisher etc. I decided to try my luck and shamelessly sent a mail requesting for a review copy. I wasn’t expecting any reply and thus was surprised to see one. The mail read as

“We do not hold the rights to distribute our edition in India, so it would be the UK publisher of the book who would distribute in India. I do not know who publishes the book in the UK, but you can find out from the author’s agent…….Rather than mail you the book, I have attached the manuscript here.”

I had to read the mail twice thrice to understand the meaning. I couldn’t believe that the word file attached with the mail was the REAL BOOK. I felt there must be something amiss somewhere, how can it be so easy, but no I was wrong! I had the manuscript with me. It is an altogether different fact that I didn’t read it because I wanted to read the real book and thus I waited with baited breath for the book to release here.

Was it worth the effort and wait? Yes, to some extent. One Amazing Thing is the story of a group of nine people who are trapped in Indian Consulate all thanks to an earthquake. Each of them carries a burden in their hearts. Waiting for their turn to get visa some with a gleam in their eyes, some with hope, some with a doubt & worry; they are thrown into a situation which they had never dreamt of.

All of them react differently to the crisis but panic is the dominant emotion. It is with the effort of an ex-army officer & Indian girl Uma that a semblance is brought and the group decides to narrate one amazing story out of their lives.

What follows next is a collection of some heart warming & touching stories. Ranging from a sweet but unrelinquished love story, to that of a frustrated Muslim youth, then there is the story of the struggle of a small town girl who aspires to do something different.

In a typical CDB style the stories are all well narrated and move back n forth in past & present keeping you hooked. Each story leaves you with something to ponder on and most importantly with a hope that there is always a scope for better future if only one tries for it.

But, there is something in the book which left me dissatisfied. It has an open ended climax which is something that I have always hated, I want a closing and this book doesn’t give me that which is disappointing. Plus I somehow felt that CBD is not in her full elements in this or may be after Palace of Illusions I have started expecting more from her. Not on of her best efforts but for sure worth a read.

3.5 stars from me.

Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Publisher: Penguin Books, India
Price: 450/- INR (Hard Bound)

Click HERE to read more book reviews.

If you have been following my book reviews then you would remember a book review of mine “The Case of the Missing Servant”. One of my favorite books of the last year, I was waiting for the next one in the series of Vish Puri, “Most Private Investigator”. Surprisingly I wasn’t aware of the release of this book and when I chanced upon it I grabbed it with both my hands! :D

This time again the author doesn’t disappoint us. This book is centered around the clash of so called Swami’s/ self styled guru’s of India and Dr. Jha who has challenged these guru’s and their so called magical powers. It is with the murder of Dr. Jha in broad day light that Mr. Vish Puri enters the scene. The Dr. is supposedly murdered by goddess Kali who appears while Dr. Jha was busy attending a laughter club. The sudden appearance & disappearance of the Goddess leaves the country gasping.

Mr. Puri has to find the murderer and with all fingers pointing towards India’s most celebrated guru, he has his job cut out for him. I wouldn’t talk more about the plot because the magic of a suspense novel lies in its plot which should be read :)

All I can tell you is that this book too is full of laughter, twist n turns. Like his other book here also Mr. Puri’s mother is feels that she has all that is needed to make a good detective and thus leave no stone unturned when there is a theft in the kitty party that she attending. What is hilarious is the way she ropes in the wife of Mr. Puri into her investigation.

The transformation of Mr. Puri the ever confident detective to Chubby a timid husband is hilarious and so very real. The way the author describes India or to be precise Delhi leaves you surprised, I still can not believe that the author isn’t of Indian origin.

The book is full of lovely one liner and keeps you engaged the whole time. The characters of the previous book are still there and they make the book an immensely enjoyable read.

I will share with you few lines which made me chuckle

“As for husbands, my dog trainer, Arti, always says to reward your pooch when he does what you ask & give appropriate correction when he doesn’t. Same has worked with Sanjeev my husband.

Or sample this conversation between the detective & his driver (they were following the vehicle of an NRI)

From the moment they’d started to tail the safari, the detective had watched wits slow progress with incredulity.

“Arrrrey!” Exclaimed Puri with frustration as the Safari gave way to a lowly auto rickshaw, “I’m all for sensible driving – speed thrills but kills, after all. But this man is some sort of Joker, no?”

Handbrake (the driver) was equally bewildered: “where did he learn to drive sir? “Ladies College?”

“No, United States,’ the detective answered with a laugh.

Like I had said in for The Case of the Missing Servant, “A who-dun-it with Indian Tadka” this one just makes the essence & flavor of India stronger and more poignant. This book moves a step ahead of the last one by handling a very serious and relevant issue i.e. of the self styled guru’s but in a light, entertaining manner.

Worth a read and more for it’s Indian flavor & entertainment value.

4/5 from me :D

Author: Tarquin Hall
Publisher: Random House 
Price: 495/- INR (Trade Paperback)

Click HERE to read more book reviews.

Rupa Gulab is one the earliest Indian Chick Lit authors. Her first book for me was “Girl Alone” which I had found to be pretty average. Then came “Chip of the Old Blockhead”, I had loved that book & thus I grabbed this enthusiastically.

 

This book comes with a warning, “If you’re over forty & reading this, your laugh lines will deepen. If you’re under forty, your laugh lines may begin.”

 

I couldn’t agree more with the warning. The Great Depression of the 40s is the story of Mantra, at 43 she quits her job with a hope that she will make her life better. She has ambitious plans for herself, she plans to learn foreign languages, write a novel and enjoy life before she is dependant on a nursing attendant. But what waits for her is sour faced cook, a suddenly in shamble marriage, a husband who has suddenly turned into a stranger & a sister in-law who decides to revive her old affair.

 

The book is a fast paced read on mid-life crisis & thrives on the fact that nothing in life is guaranteed and even the best laid plans can not be trusted upon.

 

A contemporary take on the fast paced lives that we lead is how I will put this book in one line. One can very easily relate to what is happening with Mantra (and no vimmuuu it has nothing to do with age) because these days no one has time for anybody and we leave many emotions & words to assumption. It is only when we get a jolt in life that we start valuing things.

 

Worth a read & more.

 

The Great Depression of the 40s
Author: Rupa Gulab
Publisher: Penguin India
Price: 250/- INR

Click HERE to read more book reviews.