Nila wasn’t born beautiful and is destined to go through life unnoticed… until she becomes a saree maker. As she works, Nila weaves into the silk a pattern of love, hope and devotion, which will prove to be invaluable to more lives than her own.
From the lush beauty of Sri Lanka, ravaged by bloody civil war, to India and its eventual resting place in Australia, this is the story of a precious saree and the lives it changes forever. Nila must find peace, Mahinda yearns for his true calling, Pilar is haunted by a terrible choice, Sarojini doubts her ability to love, Madhav is a holy fraud and Marion’s understanding of the very meaning of love is challenged and transformed. Each teeters between joy and pain, and each is touched by the power and beauty of the saree.
A breathtaking story of beauty, oppression and freedom… and of an enduring love that can never be broken.
I read a lot, in fact if I dont have a good novel 'on the go' I feel a little lost. To me books are like people you meet when traveling, each has their own unique story, they interact with me in different ways to produce a new experience each time. I define a good book by its ability to draw me in and transport my imagination to the time and place where the action is. A great story teller should be able to leave you tasting the dust or feeling the salt spray upon your face, happy to say Su Dharmapala is indeed a great story teller. Saree was an thoroughly enjoyable read, a thoroughly enjoyable cross continental, generational and cultural journey, easily 5 stars and I eagerly look forward to her future work!
In today's fast paced society I occasionally find myself overwhelmed by the large number of events occurring more often than not all at the same time. When you are working on a large number of projects simultaneously, whether it be work or home related, it can be nice to just give your mind a break from it all.
As a busy parent however I know that a majority of parents struggle to find that moment of time just to themselves and even when you do get a moment to yourself sometimes it isn't all that much time or it could be at an odd time of the day which could adversely affect certain activities such as going for a walk if it's cold, wet and miserable weather outside.
This for me is the best part about reading- you can do it almost anywhere and at any time that suits you with no time restrictions. So if all you have is five minutes to read whilst you have something warming in the microwave you can let yourself slip into another world and refresh your mind for those few short minutes.
Saree by Su Dharmapala is a book which will encourage you to take advantage of any spare minute you have because it is a book that you just can't put down. And even when you do it gives you something else to think about other than your everyday life.
I absolutely loved Saree and I know that I have found the perfect gift to give a number of my friends and family. In fact it makes the perfect present for almost any occasion and I know that it is something they will love just as much as I have.
You know a good novel when it leaves you still questioning events and thinking about it long after you have finished reading it, Saree does that on a number of levels. This book is just so deep and engaging.
At the end of the novel Simon and Schuster have included the first chapter of 'The Wedding Season', also written by Su Dharmapala. It makes it so easy to choose your next novel by including a preview of a book they know the reader of Saree will truly adore.
If you visit their website (www.simonandschuster.com.au) you will find more great book recommendations as well as free chapters and author interviews. If you love reading you will definitely find many great reads at the Simon and Schuster website.
I highly recommend Saree by Su Dharmapala as it was an absolutely wonderful experience reading such a well written, truly beautiful novel and I look forward to reading 'The Wedding Season'.
Thank you so very much to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon & Schuster for giving me this wonderful opportunity, and of course to Su Dharmapala for writing such an elegant piece.
From the very first page this novel had been a journey of discovery, passion and ultimate creation, anyone culturally curious or captivated by the emotional motivation that lives within us all will thoroughly enjoy this read. Superbly written the author herself is an obvious craftsman using words instead of silk to create what I believe to be a wonderfully woven tale with many dimensions and luxurious textures!
Have not yet finished the book yet, but it is every bit as good as I expected it to be. It sets the scene by allowing you to experience the struggle of a young Indian woman. Before you know it, you ar swept right into her story and can't put the book down. Guess I know what I will be doing the rest of the weekend.
I started this one and got though Nila's story. I thought that it was a good book until I kept going. I have been going to bed early and reading until 2am just to find out what happened. I found the stories both exhilarating and heart-wrenching all at once (I did shed a couple of tears!). Through the stories of Nila, Mahinda and Pilar I thought that there was never going to be a "happy ever after" to the stories. As you read you can see the dreadful period in history of Sri Lanka, how it affected lives and how no matter which side you were on there was a common "humanity" to all of the stories. There are Indian & Sri Lankan words used (a glossary is in the back) but I found if you just read the story the context made you understand the word without the translation. I really enjoyed this book and cannot remember the last time I read a book this quickly! I am going to hunt out Su's first book now - a really enjoyable read.
Saree by Su Dharmapala had me captivated from the moment I read it's book description on the Mouths of Mums site. I knew that if I was not lucky enough to be selected for this review that I would love to own and read it for myself and I immediately checked its availability through iBooks, only to learn that it would not be available until May.
Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled to discover that I was one of the lucky people selected to take part in this wonderful experience.
It might sound strange but taking part in this review is more like an actual 'experience' than anything else. From the moment I received Saree in the mail I have not put it down. When I am not reading it, I am talking to someone about it because the events in this beautifully written novel seem so real it is as though I am somehow part of the experience.
Through Saree, Su Dharmapala takes the reader not only on a journey though the experiences which she describes with such depth, they are so vivid you can't help but feel the emotion in the words you are reading, but also an eye opening journey through another culture.
I am almost finished Saree, and I plan on writing another review as soon as I have, but I just wanted to let everyone that uses iBooks know that currently (as of the 16th of April 2014) Saree by Su Dharmapala is available on pre-order for $12.99).
I must admit however, there is something very different about being able to hold an actual book in your hands. I really enjoy the feeling. It takes me back to my childhood.
Thank you to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon and Schuster, and of course Su Dharmapala for enabling me to enjoy such a great experience. Saree is magnificent. Judging from the other fabulous reviews Simon and Schuster have some truly fascinating titles!
SAREE by Su Dharmapala is a beautifully written book. I have since shared my copy with numerous friends and family and we have all enjoy this wonderful tale. Written with depth and passion this is a saga that spans from India all the way to Melbourne. I loved the historical notes that also play a part in this story.
Saree is a novel I have already recommended to many friends, I believe everyone has the potential to draw an understanding or insight from this superbly written story. Rich in cultural history and human passion it is fast paced and like a detailed garment, superbly woven!
I loved this book. It was so very inspiring. In fact I have passed it onto my mother inlaw as I know it will inspire her also. That's the beauty with with books as opposed to ebooks, you can pass on a great read with your personal touch and it means so much more.
I absolutely loved this book. So poetic, charming and sweet. It let me enter into a different world, it let me cry and dream, it taught me a lot about the world of sarees. I enjoyed the way all the stories entwined together. A great read I would recommend to anyone!
SAREE by Su Dharmapala is a beautifully written book. I have since shared my copy with numerous friends and family and we have all enjoy this wonderful tale. Written with depth and passion this is a saga that spans from India all the way to Melbourne. I loved the historical notes that also play a part in this story.
If you like a good saga, this book is for you. A number of stories, each uniquely told, woven together to give you a happy ending. The stories are set in Sri Lanka, India & Australia and gives the reader the unusual insight into the modern history and culture of Sri Lanka and India. It's an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Saree is a novel I have already recommended to many friends, I believe everyone has the potential to draw an understanding or insight from this superbly written story. Rich in cultural history and human passion it is fast paced and like a detailed garment, superbly woven!
I loved this book. It was so very inspiring. In fact I have passed it onto my mother inlaw as I know it will inspire her also. That's the beauty with with books as opposed to ebooks, you can pass on a great read with your personal touch and it means so much more.
Wow! From the heart breaking insight into aspects of the Sri Lankan and Indian cultures, to the reminiscing of the many years I lived in Melbourne, I loved this book.
Too many times of late I have really enjoyed a book, only to be left disappointed by a rushed or not thought out ending. It was wonderful to read a book that you can tell was always headed for the ending it had. I enjoyed the book even more on reflection, after reading the end, which hasn't happened in a while.
There were no huge surprises for me, but the stories were wonderfully written and really enjoyable, especially as they all started to come together. While the chapter written phonetically was a little frustrating to start, I soon understood the reasoning behind it.
I read a lot, in fact if I dont have a good novel 'on the go' I feel a little lost. To me books are like people you meet when traveling, each has their own unique story, they interact with me in different ways to produce a new experience each time. I define a good book by its ability to draw me in and transport my imagination to the time and place where the action is. A great story teller should be able to leave you tasting the dust or feeling the salt spray upon your face, happy to say Su Dharmapala is indeed a great story teller. Saree was an thoroughly enjoyable read, a thoroughly enjoyable cross continental, generational and cultural journey, easily 5 stars and I eagerly look forward to her future work!
So far I'm two stories in, and wow, what beautiful and heartbreaking stories. I get the feeling this is setting the tone for the rest of the book. Captivating and with characters that I really connect with despite their very different cultures an upbringing. Can't wait to see how the rest of the book goes and how they will all connect.
In today's fast paced society I occasionally find myself overwhelmed by the large number of events occurring more often than not all at the same time. When you are working on a large number of projects simultaneously, whether it be work or home related, it can be nice to just give your mind a break from it all.
As a busy parent however I know that a majority of parents struggle to find that moment of time just to themselves and even when you do get a moment to yourself sometimes it isn't all that much time or it could be at an odd time of the day which could adversely affect certain activities such as going for a walk if it's cold, wet and miserable weather outside.
This for me is the best part about reading- you can do it almost anywhere and at any time that suits you with no time restrictions. So if all you have is five minutes to read whilst you have something warming in the microwave you can let yourself slip into another world and refresh your mind for those few short minutes.
Saree by Su Dharmapala is a book which will encourage you to take advantage of any spare minute you have because it is a book that you just can't put down. And even when you do it gives you something else to think about other than your everyday life.
I absolutely loved Saree and I know that I have found the perfect gift to give a number of my friends and family. In fact it makes the perfect present for almost any occasion and I know that it is something they will love just as much as I have.
You know a good novel when it leaves you still questioning events and thinking about it long after you have finished reading it, Saree does that on a number of levels. This book is just so deep and engaging.
At the end of the novel Simon and Schuster have included the first chapter of 'The Wedding Season', also written by Su Dharmapala. It makes it so easy to choose your next novel by including a preview of a book they know the reader of Saree will truly adore.
If you visit their website (www.simonandschuster.com.au) you will find more great book recommendations as well as free chapters and author interviews. If you love reading you will definitely find many great reads at the Simon and Schuster website.
I highly recommend Saree by Su Dharmapala as it was an absolutely wonderful experience reading such a well written, truly beautiful novel and I look forward to reading 'The Wedding Season'.
Thank you so very much to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon & Schuster for giving me this wonderful opportunity, and of course to Su Dharmapala for writing such an elegant piece.
I am loving this book, I find Nila's character so endearing, I just want to hug her, and if I had a chance I would have some harsh words with her family who treat her so callously. It is a fascinating insight into another world so far from ours. Sometimes I find all the Indian words used that I am unaccustomed to, a little bit difficult to take in, but overall the story is so readable that I cannot put it down easily!
From the very first page this novel had been a journey of discovery, passion and ultimate creation, anyone culturally curious or captivated by the emotional motivation that lives within us all will thoroughly enjoy this read. Superbly written the author herself is an obvious craftsman using words instead of silk to create what I believe to be a wonderfully woven tale with many dimensions and luxurious textures!
This book took me by surprise. Being a busy mum of three (including a newborn and toddler) the size and thickness of this book was initially overwhelming, but from the very first chapter i quickly fell in love with Nila and the other characters. Su Dharmapala's writing is evocative without being long-winded. To my pleasant surprise, this book was actually a compilation of several short stories which i found very manageable with my busy schedule.
The stories take the reader on a journey into life on the sub-continent and into Indian/Sri Lankan culture. The balance of explaining important features, without boring the reader with the minute detail, perfectly executed. But just a warning: stock up on the tissues!
I enjoyed reading this book and although i rarely reread books, i think i may revisit this one again at a later stage.
And with mothers day just around the corner, this would be an ideal gift for many mums.
I look forward to Dharmapala's next novel. I'll be first in line :)
I loved reading this novel not only because the stories and characters were interesting but because it gave me a glimpse into another culture that I previously knew little about. While it is a long book, it cracks along at a nice speed and is easy to read. Quite absorbing in some places - don't want to give too much away. I will be keen to read other titles by this author.
I finished the book a little while ago now, and I am so leased that this is the book I was given to review. Such an amazing story with such pure moment s of love and joy and moments of indescribable hurt and pain. A book I would definately read again. Getting such an inside and personal view of another culture was really eye opening and I learnt things I had no idea about. I have seen many women in sarees but never once thought about what went into them or the whole ordeal of trying to put one on the correct way. A fabulous book with an interwoven and heart wrenching story, a book to be added to your must read pile.
What a beautiful book cover looks great displayed flat on coffee table. The scene the author creates really reminds of Sri Lanka and the quiet elegant way Sri Lankan women conduct their everyday lives no matter their economic circumstances . The saree is such a beautiful piece of clothing so colourful and alluring compared to western clothes. The author captures the characters passion and hopes with innocence and the struggle to be individuals when adults around you make your life decisions for you.
I had trouble putting this book down from the moment I picked it up. I loved the passion in the writing and the detail in the scenes. It had me experiencing a huge range of emotions. Highly recommended.
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Article
‘Trust Your Intuition’: How To Advocate For Your Child In Hospital
Mother’s instinct is a funny thing. At home, we trust it without question. But put us in a hospital setting with an unwell child, surrounded by doctors, nurses and monitors, and suddenly we start doubting ourselves.
What if I’m overreacting? What if I’ve got it wrong?
So we stay quiet, even when we know something just isn’t right with our child. I’ve been there myself – when my usually ‘tough’ son was doubled over with stomach pain. I was told in the emergency department that it probably wasn’t his appendix. But I knew he wouldn’t have begged me to take him to hospital unless it was serious. Because I know him better than anyone. Turns out, it was appendicitis.
It’s a really common place for parents to land. You’re grateful for the care your child is getting, but at the same time, you feel this huge responsibility to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.
Here’s the thing though: that instinct you’re feeling? It matters more than you might think.
Why your gut feeling matters more than you realise
According to Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager, Canterbury Hospital, Leticia Jackson, parents bring something to the hospital that no test or machine ever could.
“Parents often say they ‘just know’ when something isn’t quite right with their child, and in a hospital, that gut feeling is incredibly valuable,” she explains.
Leticia Jackson, Paediatric Nurse Unit Manager, Canterbury Hospital
While medical teams rely on observations, tests and equipment, parents know the little details. The way your child usually smiles. How they react when they’re tired. What’s normal for them.
So when something feels “off”, even if everything looks okay on paper, it can actually be an early warning sign.
“When parents trust those instincts and speak up, this creates a powerful partnership that can sometimes catch a problem before it becomes an emergency,” Leticia says.
Worried about speaking up? You’re not alone
A lot of parents hesitate about advocating for their child.
You don’t want to come across as difficult. You don’t want to question the people caring for your child. And sometimes, you just don’t feel confident enough to push the issue.
Leticia gets it.
“It is completely understandable for parents to feel hesitant,” she says. “No one wants to be seen as difficult or to second-guess the hardworking people caring for their child.”
But here’s a helpful way to look at it: you’re not challenging the medical team, you’re helping them.
Parents are the constant. Staff change shifts, care for multiple patients, and rely on snapshots of information. You’re there the whole time, noticing the subtle changes.
“Our medical team doesn’t view a concerned parent as overreactive, but as a partner,” Leticia explains. “Your voice matters.”
Remember, we know our children better than anyone.
What to do if you’re worried: the Raise It process
If you’re in a NSW public hospital or health service and you’re worried about you or your child’s condition getting worse, there is a clear process you can follow called Raise It.
Raise It is designed to help patients, carers and family members get help fast if they’re worried about a change in their loved one’s condition.
Here’s how it works:
Talk: Start by speaking to a nurse, midwife, doctor or health worker about your concerns.
Ask: Still worried? Ask to speak to the nurse or midwife in charge and request a Clinical Review.
Call: If you’re still concerned, you can escalate further using the Raise It process to get urgent attention from a senior health worker.
You don’t need medical knowledge. You don’t need to be certain. If you feel something isn’t right, or your child is getting worse, Raise It. You just need to speak up.
What should you actually look out for?
Sometimes it’s not one big, obvious sign. It can be small, subtle changes that just don’t sit right.
Things like:
Changes in breathing (fast, laboured or noisy)
Skin looking pale, mottled, or developing unusual rashes
Your child being unusually drowsy, floppy, or hard to wake
Confusion or behaviour that’s out of character
Pain that isn’t improving with treatment
Or simply that feeling that your child is getting worse
And sometimes, it’s just that gut feeling you can’t explain.
That’s enough.
“You are helping us, not bothering us”
If there’s one message Leticia wants parents to take away, it’s that you aren’t bothering the medical team, you’re helping them.
“In my years as a Nurse Unit Manager, I can say with absolute certainty that many critical changes in a child’s condition have been identified first by a parent. While our clinical staff are highly skilled at performing regular observations and interpreting data, parents are the only constant presence who truly know their child’s baseline behaviour, personality, and what is normal for them.
“I have seen numerous instances where a parent’s insistence that their child is “just not themselves” – despite vital signs appearing relatively stable – has prompted a deeper clinical review that uncovered everything from early signs of sepsis to a life-threatening respiratory crisis.”
The Raise It process exists because healthcare teams know how important parents are in keeping children safe.
“Speaking up doesn’t mean you don’t trust the team,” she says. “It means you’re partnering with us to make sure nothing gets missed.”
And if you’re still worried about being judged?
“Whether your concern turns out to be something or nothing, your instinct to raise it is always valid.”
Even as a healthcare professional, when I took my soon to the ED when I was concerned, I felt awkward about speaking up, worried I was making a big deal out of nothing (even though i would never tjink this about a patient’s family if the roles were reversed). The message in this article is so important. Always stick to your guns. Always speak up and advocate for your kids – they can’t do it for themselves.
And honestly, some medical staff are idiots. I vividly remember the night two doctors huddled over my son’s lung x-rays. I hadn’t been allowed to accompany him to have them taken as I was pregnant. They finally told me solemnly that they were preparing to do emergency surgery as there was something in his lungs – “we don’t know what it is, but it’s definitely man made”. I took one look at the x-rays and asked if they’d taken off the battery packs for his cochlear implants, which were pinned to the back of his shirt, before the x-ray. And of course they hadn’t, and of course that’s what appeared to be in his lungs. Honestly!
I have learned many times to always listen to your gut and speak up when you don’t think something is right. This article was a great read, our kids are our world and if we don’t feel they are getting the right help, and we feel it, we need to speak up.
You should never second guess yourself when it comes to yours or your childs health- or anyones for that matter. Go with your thoughts. It is natural to want to protect a loved one especially when it comes to health situations, and the feeling you get when you think you didnt do enough to advocate or fight for them…it is not a kind or nice way to feel. Many people have ended up being heartbroken and picking up pieces for years because of feeling they didnt do enough.
A very good and informative article. I have read so many stories about mums just knowing when things are not right and demanding second and third opinions until they got the right answer. Sometimes mums just know. It is our job as care takers of our families. Listen to your gut!
Years ago, I spoke up for my 14-year-old daughter, but my concerns weren’t fully listened to. I’ve always wished I had pushed harder. She was sent home without much testing, and two days later, she passed away.
So, if you ever have concerns—no matter how minor—please speak up and keep advocating. Trust your instincts; they are there for a reason.
This is so important for parents to know how to raise it further if they don’t think their child is receiving the medical support they need! I know this article refers to the NSW system but other systems have similar procedures just with different names. I know in QLD it’s called Ryan’s Rule.
It’s so important to follow your gut instincts and express your concerns indeed. I have never hesitated to advocate for my children in various situations and I don’t care what other people think about it. Not all doctors and medical staff appreciate it when you question them, I’ve experienced that it may result in angry indignant responses.
How true this is! While nurses and doctors are the medical professionals doing their job on the daily, we know our children better than anyone and what is ‘normal’ for them. I would always speak up if I had noticed any changes in my child’s health and encourage other parents to do so too. No question is silly!
This really is such an important issue and a good topic to discuss with people, I am often surprised that people are worried about being judged. This is not something I care about; the priority is for the care and health of everyone is my family. Parents know their children and need to work with health professionals for the best outcomes for their children.
This is such an important issue to raise, and no one should ever feel ashamed, nervous or that they are being OTT for advocating for their kids, themselves or loves ones in hospital. In QLD we have Ryan’s Rule. A three step process where your concern will be escalated if they believe the patients condition isn’t improving or is worsening.
I have never been afraid to advocate for my children and partner and extended family and also friends. It is so important to listen and to trust intuition. When people have not listened, I have persevered and kept on with insisting on care and making sure they truly listened and took action.
10:53 am
Definitely worth the effort
10:35 pm
The perfect gift
As a busy parent however I know that a majority of parents struggle to find that moment of time just to themselves and even when you do get a moment to yourself sometimes it isn't all that much time or it could be at an odd time of the day which could adversely affect certain activities such as going for a walk if it's cold, wet and miserable weather outside.
This for me is the best part about reading- you can do it almost anywhere and at any time that suits you with no time restrictions. So if all you have is five minutes to read whilst you have something warming in the microwave you can let yourself slip into another world and refresh your mind for those few short minutes.
Saree by Su Dharmapala is a book which will encourage you to take advantage of any spare minute you have because it is a book that you just can't put down. And even when you do it gives you something else to think about other than your everyday life.
I absolutely loved Saree and I know that I have found the perfect gift to give a number of my friends and family. In fact it makes the perfect present for almost any occasion and I know that it is something they will love just as much as I have.
You know a good novel when it leaves you still questioning events and thinking about it long after you have finished reading it, Saree does that on a number of levels. This book is just so deep and engaging.
At the end of the novel Simon and Schuster have included the first chapter of 'The Wedding Season', also written by Su Dharmapala. It makes it so easy to choose your next novel by including a preview of a book they know the reader of Saree will truly adore.
If you visit their website (www.simonandschuster.com.au) you will find more great book recommendations as well as free chapters and author interviews. If you love reading you will definitely find many great reads at the Simon and Schuster website.
I highly recommend Saree by Su Dharmapala as it was an absolutely wonderful experience reading such a well written, truly beautiful novel and I look forward to reading 'The Wedding Season'.
Thank you so very much to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon & Schuster for giving me this wonderful opportunity, and of course to Su Dharmapala for writing such an elegant piece.
11:48 am
Highly recommend
8:49 pm
Make sure you have tissues
11:05 pm
Beautiful, sad, and touching
11:35 pm
Worth staying up late to read!
Needless to say I was absolutely thrilled to discover that I was one of the lucky people selected to take part in this wonderful experience.
It might sound strange but taking part in this review is more like an actual 'experience' than anything else. From the moment I received Saree in the mail I have not put it down. When I am not reading it, I am talking to someone about it because the events in this beautifully written novel seem so real it is as though I am somehow part of the experience.
Through Saree, Su Dharmapala takes the reader not only on a journey though the experiences which she describes with such depth, they are so vivid you can't help but feel the emotion in the words you are reading, but also an eye opening journey through another culture.
I am almost finished Saree, and I plan on writing another review as soon as I have, but I just wanted to let everyone that uses iBooks know that currently (as of the 16th of April 2014) Saree by Su Dharmapala is available on pre-order for $12.99).
I must admit however, there is something very different about being able to hold an actual book in your hands. I really enjoy the feeling. It takes me back to my childhood.
Thank you to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon and Schuster, and of course Su Dharmapala for enabling me to enjoy such a great experience. Saree is magnificent. Judging from the other fabulous reviews Simon and Schuster have some truly fascinating titles!
1:43 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
10:32 pm
Beautifully written
12:48 pm
You will carry this tale forever
2:38 pm
Enjoyable read
1:43 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
1:41 pm
sounds awesome and looks great
11:45 am
Absolutely amazing!
10:32 pm
Beautifully written
4:44 pm
A number if stories woven together.
9:29 pm
Fascinating!
A fascinating insight into another culture so far from my own.
A really great read!
8:29 pm
Great read
12:48 pm
You will carry this tale forever
2:38 pm
Enjoyable read
12:01 am
Beautiful, heart wrenching and captivating.
Too many times of late I have really enjoyed a book, only to be left disappointed by a rushed or not thought out ending. It was wonderful to read a book that you can tell was always headed for the ending it had. I enjoyed the book even more on reflection, after reading the end, which hasn't happened in a while.
There were no huge surprises for me, but the stories were wonderfully written and really enjoyable, especially as they all started to come together. While the chapter written phonetically was a little frustrating to start, I soon understood the reasoning behind it.
Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended!
10:53 am
Definitely worth the effort
2:03 pm
Saree - progress review
10:35 pm
The perfect gift
As a busy parent however I know that a majority of parents struggle to find that moment of time just to themselves and even when you do get a moment to yourself sometimes it isn't all that much time or it could be at an odd time of the day which could adversely affect certain activities such as going for a walk if it's cold, wet and miserable weather outside.
This for me is the best part about reading- you can do it almost anywhere and at any time that suits you with no time restrictions. So if all you have is five minutes to read whilst you have something warming in the microwave you can let yourself slip into another world and refresh your mind for those few short minutes.
Saree by Su Dharmapala is a book which will encourage you to take advantage of any spare minute you have because it is a book that you just can't put down. And even when you do it gives you something else to think about other than your everyday life.
I absolutely loved Saree and I know that I have found the perfect gift to give a number of my friends and family. In fact it makes the perfect present for almost any occasion and I know that it is something they will love just as much as I have.
You know a good novel when it leaves you still questioning events and thinking about it long after you have finished reading it, Saree does that on a number of levels. This book is just so deep and engaging.
At the end of the novel Simon and Schuster have included the first chapter of 'The Wedding Season', also written by Su Dharmapala. It makes it so easy to choose your next novel by including a preview of a book they know the reader of Saree will truly adore.
If you visit their website (www.simonandschuster.com.au) you will find more great book recommendations as well as free chapters and author interviews. If you love reading you will definitely find many great reads at the Simon and Schuster website.
I highly recommend Saree by Su Dharmapala as it was an absolutely wonderful experience reading such a well written, truly beautiful novel and I look forward to reading 'The Wedding Season'.
Thank you so very much to the Mouths of Mums team as well as Simon & Schuster for giving me this wonderful opportunity, and of course to Su Dharmapala for writing such an elegant piece.
4:06 pm
Fascinating and captivating book
11:48 am
Highly recommend
5:35 pm
Captivating
The stories take the reader on a journey into life on the sub-continent and into Indian/Sri Lankan culture. The balance of explaining important features, without boring the reader with the minute detail, perfectly executed. But just a warning: stock up on the tissues!
I enjoyed reading this book and although i rarely reread books, i think i may revisit this one again at a later stage.
And with mothers day just around the corner, this would be an ideal gift for many mums.
I look forward to Dharmapala's next novel. I'll be first in line :)
3:40 pm
A wonderful glimpse into another culture
6:58 pm
This book still resonates with me
9:05 pm
What a
8:49 pm
Saree - amazing stories beautifully written
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