Rani ManickaRezensionen

Рани Маника е личност, съвместяваща писането на художествена литература с многобройните си бизнес начинания. Като непрофесионален писател, тя определено е автор, който има какво да разкаже, но няма таланта да го направи. Повествованието на творбата ѝ е изключително еднопланово, насечено и препускащо през стотици събития: важни и маловажни, предадени с една и съща интонация.
Историята в романа се разказва последователно от членовете на семейството на Лакшми. Всеки от тях има своята гледна точка върху събитията, и ги пречупва през личния си мироглед. Личното ми усещане беше не за наличието на плавно преплитащи се и взаимодопълващи се сюжетни линии, а за няколко движещи се с пълна скорост един срещу друг самолети, чиито неминуем сблъсък читателят е поставен в положението да проследи, и в крайна сметка да наблюдава.
Последните четири части на книгата са сюжетно и стилистично несвързани с предходните. Лакшми, ужким главната героиня на романа, самата Оризова майка, се появява едва два пъти в тези няколкостотин страници, като вторият път е на собственото ѝ погребение. За голямо разочарование на читателите, историята на Димпл е написана в стила на розов булеварден роман, с крайно неумели опити за смяна на перспективата на повествованието.

++++++++++

Няколко думи за българския превод на романа: крайно немарливо свършена работа. Преводачката, заедно с редакторката и коректорката имат сериозни пропуски в прилагането на определени правила на граматиката на българския език, като в частност впечатление прави непознаването на правилото за слято, полуслято и разделно изписване на прилагателни имена. Макар и с незадължителен характер, в граматиката ни съществува и словоредна норма, която също е твърде непозната материя за екипа, работил върху превода на български. На страницте на превода могат да бъдат открити и единични съществителни имена, изписани с фрапиращи правописни грешки. Преводачката категорично не е наясно с правилото, че пред съюза "че" не винаги се слага запетая.
А фактът, че това е втори тираж на романа, от все същото издателство, превръща некоригирането на грешките в тревожен прецедент за българското книгоиздаване.

I love a good long family saga, and this book nailed that.

At the age of 14, Lakshmi is married off to a rich man in Malaysia. She travels from her home in Ceylon, only to discover he isn't rich, and he is also not bright. He is kind though, and his home is better than what she came from. And then we learn of her children and some grandchildren--through the Japanese occupation in Word War II, dreams of education and marriage, children and businesses.

This book is 400+ pages and is very good, but it is also hard. There is so much sadness, regret, and sorrow.

Tras la muerte de su madre, las jóvenes y bellas bailarinas gemelas, Nutan y Zeenat, se ven forzadas a abandonar el paradisíaco entorno de su Bali natal y la protección de su abuela, gran conocedora de magia, tradiciones y leyendas. Se instalan en Londres, donde intentan ganarse la vida trabajando en una cafetería. Allí, conocen a Ricky, un joven seductor siciliano que les abre las puertas del Templo de la Araña, un mundo desconocido y prohibido, un local donde se dan cita una serie de personajes que cambiarán la vida de las jóvenes para siempre.
Un pintor, la amante de un hombre millonario, una prostituta, un peluquero de éxito y una escritora, todos ellos habitantes de esta novela, acompañarán a las dos hermanas en esta aventura colmada de sentimientos que recorre la frágil frontera entre la vida y la muerte, la corrupción y la inocencia.

This historical saga, set in Malaysia, covers several generations of a family, descended from a strong-willed matriarch. The author's writing is beautiful and the intertwined storylines are interesting. However, the characters' stories are also quite bleak and at times, I longed for some happy moments to relieve the misery.

"When the puppet master gives you wings of course you must fly away, but remember to beware the predators in the sky."

The descriptions of Bali in the opening chapters were beautiful and such a contrast to the later portrayal of dreary London's drug scene. The view of Bali in the eye's of the twins, their father and grandmother was also interesting, with the elder generations being deeply connected to their homeland and the younger generation wanting to escape and seek adventure. However, the beautiful aspect soon disappears and we are faced with the very graphic and harsh realities of drug addiction, corruption, exploitation and prostitution, which leads to the downfall of the main characters.

This was a difficult read, not because of the content, but due to some extremely long chapters where a lot is said, but not a lot happens. It was hard to feel any empathy or emotion for the characters, but at the same time this made the story real and believable. Unfortunately, what ultimately ruined this book for me was the author's self-insert into the story line. It was self-conceited, unnecessary and in poor taste. It completely detracted from the story line and felt false. The first-person account was also grating.

I have developed a dislike of novels that are set in another country and that rely in large part on superstitions common to that country. For example, many Chinese and Japanese novels will involve superstitions about a person's marriage, about where tableware must be placed to ward off bad spirits, about incidents that portend bad or good thing ahead. Perhaps because I am more "rational" than most, I tend to find the reliance of the characters on superstitions tiresome and irritating.

There is certainly superstition here, of a similar nature. The main character, Lakshmi, is from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Born in 1916, she is married young in an arranged marriage and moves to Malaysia with her new, older husband. Her mother had been given to understand that her new husband was rich and that therefore Lakshmi would be able to live the life she deserved. But it was a trick. He had borrowed a watch and a car and driver to give the appearance of wealth. Lakshmi soon discovered that he was poor and, more, that he would be unlikely ever to raise above his present position.

Lakshmi is determined to make this work. She is no stranger to hard work and is not afraid of it. She takes on the maintenance of the house and the fixing of meals, the cleaning of clothing. When she discovers that her husband has had a bad habit of borrowing money, she steps in to clean up the accounts and get the money going where it needs to go. Fortunately, her husband cares deeply for her and does as he is told. He is a kind man, if not as intelligent and capable as she is.

The story takes us from Lakshmi's beginnings to her friendship with a young woman who works as a servant next door, to the birth of her several children. The first children, twins, are born with the cross of a fortune-teller's warnings on them. Thus the superstitions begin to reign, even when dismissed by Lakshmi. We watch the children grow and in some cases have children of their own, and eventually we even meet the great-grandchildren.

So not only is there a layer of superstition, but also a multi-generational theme. I am most fond of characters in novels, and usually when there are many generations the details of the individuals become lost and it just becomes "a story". Not so in this case. Lakshmi's strength and character clearly mark her as "the rice mother", and her personality is memorable to the end. Several of her children also get to speak and we easily distinguish the differences. It is possible to become attached or at least interested by some of the children and grandchildren. A great-grandchild has a story at least as interesting as Lakshmi's, which was like a bonus, a novel within a novel. AFter a while I felt like I wanted this story to keep going, to become a series, almost. Most unlike me, but certainly a tribute to the honesty of the writing.

The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka is a multi-generational story about a Sri Lankan family that resides in Malaysia. The book opens in the 1920s with Lakshmi, the beloved daughter who is married at fifteen to Ayah, a 37 year old rich widower who lives in Malaysia. When Lakshmi arrives in Malaysia she learns that this man is far from rich, but he is a decent man who allows Lakshmi to take control of the finances and the household. They go on to have six children and for the most part are contented until the Japanese invade in 1941.

After the war years the family is changed. The father withdraws into himself and Lakshmi falls into fits of rage and lashes out at those she loves. The story follows the children as they grow, marry and have children of their own, but this family seems to experience one tragedy after another. Each chapter is told by a different family member right down to the grandchildren and the great-grandchildren.

The Rice Mother is the author’s debut novel and at times this saga of domestic turmoil seems overly ambitious and the writing becomes flowery and heavy but the descriptions of the mixed Malayan culture, customs, religion and culinary delights kept me engaged.

I think this has been a very interesting read. At times very disturbing, for example when the book talked about the Japanese occupation. Disturbing also, because it talks about love going wrong, children dying, misunderstandings on multiple levels.
Not a nice book, but a nice book to read, I hope you understand what I'm trying to say with this...

I loved 'Rice Mother' and was really looking forward to reading 'Touching Earth,' especially after spending 2 weeks in Bali last year. The images of Bali are authentic and intoxicating. They transport the reader elsewhere. I remember watching the Balinese make offering to their spirits all through the day, well into the night, mysteriously following an invisible path and rituals unbeknownst to me...Nenek does the same. Reportedly a witch, she's tied to the earth, feeding herbal combinations to the ill, possessed and her granddaughters, identical twins.

The twins, their perspectives and desires are fascinating. they each see their home, their family and their culture through different eyes, but each reveals layers rather than something separate.

Their downfall is a trip to London, a gift from their father. The transformation of innocent, sheltered village girls by the evil underbelly of the city is horrifying. You won't want to turn the page, but have to because you have to know what happens to them and their friends as they enter the temple of the spider goddess. A gripping, roller coaster of a novel

Originally posted here

The Rice Mother is a multi-generational, multi-viewpoint story mainly set in Malaysia. The story begins in the 1930s, chronicles the Japanese occupation, and continues until the early 2000s. This book is full of beautiful descriptions of cultural traditions and customs, it really was an absolute delight to read. I found myself completely enchanted with Lakshmi's story and how her poor marriage affected her life and subsequently, her children's lives. There is a lot of heartache that befalls Lakshmi's family, friends and neighbours.

What I loved most about this book was the magical realism that was woven into the narrative. There is plenty of superstition and magic sprinkled throughout. Many plants and objects have mysterious power and meaning which gives a magical aura to the story. I became so attached to Lakshmi's family and I felt that each member had a very distinct voice. The narrators are each unreliable in their own ways as their points of view constantly differ and contradict each other, and I really enjoyed seeing how all the different viewpoints converged at the end.

The only disappointing aspect of this book was the way it ended. The beginning of the book was very strong but the ending was abrupt and strange, once the last character tells their side of a particular storyline the book ends. I found myself wanting so much more and would have gladly welcomed viewpoints from additional family members that were briefly mentioned. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book I can see myself re-reading it in future.

The first half of novel is outstanding and moving; rich in color like a beautiful, deeply-hued tapestry with new images to see each time one looks at it. But the second half, after Lakshmi's wedding, the novel felt bleached out and forced, possibly reflecting the culture of marrying girls too young to understand how their lives would change. (The lies and manipulations to arrange many marriages - in any culture - are just plain evil.)

Lakshmi was smarter than many young wives, learning quickly how to manage her husband, babies, neighbors and vendors. She was strong in dealing with challenging situations especially the Japanese occupation, little money or food, and family illness. Because she was stubborn, and had too much control over her family, the mistakes she did make after the family's overwhelming loss caused irreversible pain to her children, scarring them, and leaving them ill-prepared for the future.

I enjoyed the sections Lakshmi narrated far more than the sections narrated by the others, except for Ayah. He was exceptionally kind, loving and considered his life blessed.

While mostly a good read, the characterizations of some of Lakshmi's children and the sections they narrated didn't feel real or alive to me.½

This book is beautifully written. If you liked "In the Shadow of the Banyan", you will love "The Rice Mother." Manicka's descriptions are captivating. Example, describing Ratha's cooking - "In the kitchen Ratha set about turning the market produce into exotic meals. She was like an alchemist. She took some meat, spices, and vegetables and turned them into sumptuous meals that clouded your senses and drugged you into asking senselessly, "Is there any more?" Her genius was undeniable. She prepared jars of ginger marmalade and tomato chutney that followed you into tomorrow and next week. Unflinchingly, she beheaded adorable wood pigeons and unsuspecting wild fowl, marinading the dark meat in papaya skins to tenderize them. They melted in the mouth like butter." ...And you should read about the desserts...decadent!

Lakshmi is a young Ceylonese girl who is married to a Malayan man at the age of 14 and goes on to have six children by the age of 19. It starts in the 1930s. This is the story of the strengths of families and how families can destroy, of strong women and weak men. There are several narrators throughout the book but it is pretty easy to keep them straight.

The book goes through the Japanese occupation of Malaya and the atrocities inflicted upon the natives. The land was changed forever after their occupation.

The book was hard to put down after about the first half. There is little rejoicing but lots of heartache. Malaya came alive for me, as did the characters.

Meer dan bekoorlijke chicklit, balanserend op het randje...meeslepend en magisch. Zwak einde, maar verder met héél veel plezier gelezen, knappe vrouwenportretten, goede sfeerschepping. Een aanrader voor een luie dag.½

I rarely enjoy "chick lit" but this novel was extraordinarily captivating. Perhaps the style is more literary than mainstream and the characters are fascinating. Set in Malayasia. BTW- I was reading it while the Malaysian airplane disappeared! Synchronicity does happen.

The saga of a Ceylonese family living in Malaysia from pre-WWII era to the present. The first section tells the story of Lakshmi, who arrives in her new country after being tricked into a bad marriage by a calculating matchmaker. Lakshmi eventually has six children whom she fiercely protects throughout the brutalities of the Japanese occupation, until one horrible day. This tragedy reverberates through the generations until years later, when Lakshmi's great-granddaughter compiles the stories of her broken family and finally brings them all together.

This was a very ambitious novel and for the most part the author was up to the task. The story is told by various narrating family members over the years. Although I appreciated that some of the narrators were male -- not common in this type of family saga -- in the end there were just too many different voices. The story would have been better told by only four or five principal characters. Also, Lakshmi's opening section was so vivid and powerful and her character so interesting that I really missed her when she was gone. She overshadowed the later generations, which was intentional by the author, but it was a bit of a letdown to switch from her to other, less engaging family members.

The writing was colorful and detailed about everyday life in Malaysia. There was also particular emphasis on rituals of family and community, as well as an undercurrent of superstition. I would definitely be interested in reading more by Rani Manicka.½

I loved to hate this book . . .almost didn't make it through it because it's sadness graphically jumped off the page, but when I finished it, I was glad I hung in there. Gorgeous read.

Even after 200 pages, it was a huge internal debate as to whether the book would be consigned to the 'Cedargrove Slush Pile.' Something made me press on with it.

It wasn't that I wanted to read it, so much as I had to. I had spent so much time already wading through hundreds of pages of self conscious text, written in the first person, directly addressing the reader - two things I can honestly say I hate in a fiction... well, no, let me clarify that. The book has to be exceptional or especially meaningful to me if I'm to read something written in the first person and not find that jarring or distasteful. This book was neither... and yet there was something about it that made me continue reading, and after only 20 or so more pages, I could not put it down.

I ached for these people... the lost, misguided cast of characters stumbling their way through the mistakes of their lives... using themselves, literally to death in some cases. I despaired at their loneliness, hated their dependencies, and cried with them at the loss of their friends. And in their triumphs, oh how I rejoiced.

Maybe life is not so bad after all.

Yes, the book still suffered from self-consciousness, especially when the author herself makes an appearence in the latter part of the book. Yes, it's still written in the first person and still talks to the reader personally, but the story is compelling, spiritual in its own way; deep and black like fertile soil - secret, like a whisper.

Very intense debut novel which covers four generations of a family with an incredibly strong matriarch, Lakshmi. By the book's description, we are led to believe the story is about her young married life. In reality, we see her indomitable strength in Japanese occupied Malaysia while her children grow up. Beautiful descriptions and well drawn characters.

Very well-written book - haunting and gripping. But about such a horrible & sordid subject - prostitution and heroin addiction. Very depressing, despite a reasonably upbeat ending. Don't want to think about a world like that, even though I know it exists.

Excellent 1st novel. Written in different voices. Reveals humanity of family and underscores subjectivity of truth.

This is the story of Lakshmi, a young Ceylonese girl brought to Malaya in 1930, as the young bride of an older man, and her children and grandchildren.

Lakshmi narrates the first part of the book, where she explains about her childhood and how she is tricked into marriage, but then goes on to have six children. The baton is then passed between various characters as we witness events from their individual points of view and learn how the tragedy that befell Lakshmi’s family haunted the further generations. The book ends up in the current day, and as a result the reader is presented with details of the a changing country, and learns how WWII shaped and changed the lives of so many.

To give away much more of the plot would be to start revealing spoilers, but suffice to say that this is an enchanting and moving read. The narrators all have their own distinct personalities and perceptions of various events and each other. Some parts were harrowing to read as people struggled with the effects of the war, made wrong decisions and lived with regret. Lakshmi is the matriarch of this family and her strength, intelligence and determination are clear for all to see.

Malay(si)a is brought to vivid life, and I felt able to really imagine the place with all it’s vibrancy and energy. Towards the end, the language did become a little bit ‘flowery’ and I felt that the book was perhaps slightly too long, although it packed a lot into it’s pages and certainly never got boring.

This was the debut novel by this author and very impressive it is too. I will be seeking out further work by Rani Manicka.

A story about several generations of daughters, mainly set in Malaysia. This book is beautifully written. I found the earlier part far more interesting than the latter part of the book.½

Enchanting story of a young women who marries at a young age and proceeds to have several children.

Like being high on drugs. Very graphic.

This is my first Rani Manicka book (not sure if she's written more), but being Malaysian, it is always enjoyable to read a piece of stylised history of my home country. Rani's writing is very stylised and poetic, using a lot of symbolism, which is enjoyable to a certain extent, after which you simply want the story to move along. The book is divided into different 'tellings' by various members of the family. The Malaysian Indian culture in Malaysia is very prevalent, so even as a Chinese, I found the people and places depicted to be a slice of home that's very real, yet very mystical.

The plot, sadly, seems a little stunted at the end, as though Rani is tired of writing the novel and wants to end it as quickly as possible. I'd wished for a more polished finish.