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redheadreader73's review against another edition
5.0
A long and winding tale that is rounded off nicely in the end
gemstone's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Well well well. I finished it! It was tough towards the end I have to admit.
I was really interested in the history of India, and have read books by Mistry and Rushdie so far which are far better, but I saw this at a charity shop and thought there was no point not trying it.
So essentially, the core story is interesting, and I like the imagery of Wales and Kashmir. Was it the best historical fiction I’ve read? No - I think there is too much fiction and not enough historical for that. But it started well - contrasting modern day and past Kashmir to show some of the political instability, and the ways in which it hadn’t always been there. I also enjoyed learning about pashmina and the how Kashmir shawls are made; and I think Thomas does well at the beginning of highlighting some of the issues with missionaries. However, missionaries were and still are an interesting moral dilemma that is debated - is it right to go to a country and use there desperation and suffering of the people there to make them convert to your own beliefs? How should you conduct yourself when trying to convert people? Should there be international laws on the way that religious people are allowed to behave in other countries? These are aspects that would have been very interesting to read, would have tied into the story well, and not been out of place or scattered.
But what we do get is lots and lots of different things what just seem to… happen. That’s the best way I can describe this book: things - happening. More often than not without build-up or any real consequence.
*Clears throat*:
Then there’s a lot about women’s rights, which I loved - I still think that how Thomas approached it was good (to begin with). But then there was a crazy man (Singh) who it was implied was trying to enslave his illegitimate child; a brief and weirdly graphic suicide; the most two dimensional gay man you have ever met (could have been interesting but no! He’s just angry and hates his wife!); and a glorified totally-okay affair which happens and then her husband comes back and it’s like. Well I’ve always loved him so. Like no??? Honey what??? You literally complained for 100 pages that you didn’t think he could ever be a true husband to you???
For me it felt like there were so so many ideas in this novel and if Thomas had chosen maybe 20% of them and tried to explore them properly, interwoven with greater historical accuracy, this could have been a much better book. Instead everything just felt so incomplete and in all honesty a lot of the storylines pissed me off somewhat cause they were IMPORTANT topics to discuss and just weren’t given the time of day.
Also there was both a trapeze artist and a magician. Idk what else to say.
Oh PS the mystery is interesting until it's revealed around the 300 page mark. I think at that point I started to lose interest
Oh PS the mystery is interesting until it's revealed around the 300 page mark. I think at that point I started to lose interest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
amiejanegut's review against another edition
5.0
This book was recommended to me by my aunts friend whilst on holiday with them. I downloaded it there and then at the restaurant and hurried to finish the book I was reading so I could make a start on it.
At first I got a little confused with the timing swapping from present to past, but got my head round it in the end.
I found it very interesting to learn about the different places she travelled to, to discover the history of her family, and the shawl. And also learning the little about how they make the shawls.
As the story went on, I started seeing/guessing what was going to happen with the history of the two characters, but it didn't spoil the reading.
Would definitely recommend this great read!
At first I got a little confused with the timing swapping from present to past, but got my head round it in the end.
I found it very interesting to learn about the different places she travelled to, to discover the history of her family, and the shawl. And also learning the little about how they make the shawls.
As the story went on, I started seeing/guessing what was going to happen with the history of the two characters, but it didn't spoil the reading.
Would definitely recommend this great read!
brn's review against another edition
2.0
At first when I started reading the book I was enjoying myself but I didn't enjoy the ending. I guess maybe I expected more.
book_concierge's review
2.0
2.5**
When her father dies, Mair discovers an exquisite shawl among her parents’ belongings. Neither Mair nor her siblings have ever seen the shawl and can’t imagine what it means. But they remember that their maternal grandparents had been missionaries in northern India and surmise it was brought back by their grandmother. Even more intriguing they find a lock of a child’s hair wrapped in the shawl. Mair decides to go to Kashmir to try to find the origins of this work and how her grandparents might have come to acquire such a valuable artifact.
Thomas weaves two stories together into a romantic epic: Mair’s search for the origins of the shawl (as well as a search for her own future), and the historical story of her grandparents, particularly her grandmother’s experiences in 1940s Kashmir. I found the historical story much more interesting, if a bit melodramatic.
I have to admit that I was intrigued by the mystery as much as Mair and her siblings were. Having cleaned out my parents’ home and found innumerable things that we have no clue as to their origins, I can easily understand how someone could get wrapped up in trying to find the story behind something so obviously valuable as the shawl Mair finds. But …. I had a hard time reconciling Mair’s just up and taking off to India – for MONTHS – to find the origins of the shawl. And I didn’t really believe the incredible coincidences that Thomas uses to end this story.
Still, I did get caught up in the story of Nerys, Rainer, Myrtle and Caroline (1940s Kashmir). And Thomas did a fine job of setting the scene, bringing to life the adventure and romanticism of the exotic locale and different culture. But I didn’t really enjoy the melodramatic elements and felt that the author was trying too hard. Did Mair have to have a background as a circus performer? Did Rainer have to be a magician? Additionally, I really disliked Caroline; she was weak and naïve, and alternately hysterical and practically catatonic.
So while portions of the historical story captured my attention, on the whole I think this is a below average novel.
When her father dies, Mair discovers an exquisite shawl among her parents’ belongings. Neither Mair nor her siblings have ever seen the shawl and can’t imagine what it means. But they remember that their maternal grandparents had been missionaries in northern India and surmise it was brought back by their grandmother. Even more intriguing they find a lock of a child’s hair wrapped in the shawl. Mair decides to go to Kashmir to try to find the origins of this work and how her grandparents might have come to acquire such a valuable artifact.
Thomas weaves two stories together into a romantic epic: Mair’s search for the origins of the shawl (as well as a search for her own future), and the historical story of her grandparents, particularly her grandmother’s experiences in 1940s Kashmir. I found the historical story much more interesting, if a bit melodramatic.
I have to admit that I was intrigued by the mystery as much as Mair and her siblings were. Having cleaned out my parents’ home and found innumerable things that we have no clue as to their origins, I can easily understand how someone could get wrapped up in trying to find the story behind something so obviously valuable as the shawl Mair finds. But …. I had a hard time reconciling Mair’s just up and taking off to India – for MONTHS – to find the origins of the shawl. And I didn’t really believe the incredible coincidences that Thomas uses to end this story.
Still, I did get caught up in the story of Nerys, Rainer, Myrtle and Caroline (1940s Kashmir). And Thomas did a fine job of setting the scene, bringing to life the adventure and romanticism of the exotic locale and different culture. But I didn’t really enjoy the melodramatic elements and felt that the author was trying too hard. Did Mair have to have a background as a circus performer? Did Rainer have to be a magician? Additionally, I really disliked Caroline; she was weak and naïve, and alternately hysterical and practically catatonic.
So while portions of the historical story captured my attention, on the whole I think this is a below average novel.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
This book really grew on me. It tells the story of a young woman, Mair, who travels to Kashmir to try to find out more about her grandparents. The grandparents lived there in the lead up to WWII and the story flashes back to that time and life as seen through the eyes of her grandmother, Nerys. Nerys had a friendship with two women and the three of them shared a secret. Mair discovers this and wonders if the friendship has something to do with her family. The novel has a great sense of place and now Kashmir is on my list of places to travel!
an6ra_'s review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
can't believe I wasted my time & money on this book 😔✌️
soniapage's review against another edition
3.0
While I enjoyed Mair's journey to Kashmir to trace the origin of the shawl she found among her grandmother's things and the unfolding history behind it, there were a few things I found to be unbelievable and too many peeps into bedrooms. Would a missionary's wife really have a guiltless affair with another man but then not run away with him because she felt she had to do her duty as a missionary's wife? Would Mair take up with her good friend's husband while they were separated? Well, maybe so, in a romance novel.
This was an audio version read by Nerys Hughes who is a good narrator.
This was an audio version read by Nerys Hughes who is a good narrator.
pep_pooja's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first book by Rosie Thomas and I I am impressed beyond words. I don't know if it's the story on her writing style but what ever does I just know I loved it and I am ready to read more of her books. The cover of this book and all of a book are stunning.
In 1938, young bride Nerys Watkins accompanies her missionary husband on a posting to India. Up in Srinagar, the British live on beautiful wooden houseboats and dance and gossip as if there is no war. But when the men are sent away to fight Nerys is caught up in a dangerous friendship.
Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her father’s house, she finds an antique shawl with a lock of child’s hair wrapped up in its folds. Tracing her grandparents’ roots back to Kashmir, Mair uncovers a story of great love and great sacrifice
The story was heartwarming. all the essence of writing are well presented in this book. The story was beautiful and intriguing. All the things are well explained and totally detailed.
In 1938, young bride Nerys Watkins accompanies her missionary husband on a posting to India. Up in Srinagar, the British live on beautiful wooden houseboats and dance and gossip as if there is no war. But when the men are sent away to fight Nerys is caught up in a dangerous friendship.
Years later, when Mair Ellis clears out her father’s house, she finds an antique shawl with a lock of child’s hair wrapped up in its folds. Tracing her grandparents’ roots back to Kashmir, Mair uncovers a story of great love and great sacrifice
The story was heartwarming. all the essence of writing are well presented in this book. The story was beautiful and intriguing. All the things are well explained and totally detailed.