Wandering Souls By Cecile Pin

This is one of the best first novels I have ever read! I wonder why they only longlisted it for the Women's Prize? Basically the story of 3 child refugees, 'Boat People' from Vietnam, an older sister and two brothers as they leave Vietnam and make their way first to Hong Kong and then to UK. There is tragedy and joy, racism and welcomes, innocence and experience, the whole migrant experience told through Anh the older sister but also through other voices. First there is the ghost of Dao, a much younger brother who left Vietnam with other family members, and a third voice the narrator unknown until much further into the book. This voice is researching and their passages are factual and shows the author's done her research ( I do not know whether any of this is biographical of her own family history) - 1979 Koh Kra incident ; Operation Wandering Soul ; and academic reference to Transgenerational trauma ( apologies I forgot to make a note of its details) and Joan Didion's book The White Album. In this way the author constructs her book - it is fascinating, creates layers and totally engages the reader. I read it in one sitting, very unusual for me. Stunning!

Book Review : The Wildings - Part 1: The Wildings and Part 2: The Hundred Names of Darkness by Nilanjana Roy , narrated by Tania Rodrigues

The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy
4 of 5 stars

Utterly marvellous tale of a colony of cats in Old Delhi. For story lovers of all ages. Highly recommended.

Linguistic note - the squirrels are named Ao and Jao - Come and Go.
The birds are called sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, and ni - the 7 notes (swara) in Hindustani classical music.



The Hundred Names of Darkness by Nilanjana Roy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

No sequel disappointment herein! The adventures of the Nizamuddin cats continues as they struggle through hard times.
Marvelous section telling of the love between the two eagles,Tooth and Claw.
The author's choice of names for all the animal characters is great, and the tone of voice captures their individual characters so well.
Both books are so very well narrated by Tania Rodrigues.

I can't recommend these enough!

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Book Review: Blackwater by Nilanajana Roy

Black River by Nilanjana Roy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although the plot is a bit predictable in the sense that I guessed the murderer really early on, that didn't detract from a good read - the main characters' back stories are the best part eg Chand's time working in Delhi and living on the back waters with Rabia and her husband. What is also very strong is the representation within the story of the societal issues in India - Hindi v Muslim, city growth and expansion, climate and environment issues, corruption, police violence and the difficulties that woman in particular face.

The author has fairly recently started writing for the FT and is on the panel selecting 2026 International Booker. This is her first adult novel, so a really good debut in my opinion. She has previously written two children's books. Additionally, I'm dipping in and out of her book of essays The Girl Who Ate Books: Adventures in Reading

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