I am in the middle of reading Amulya Malladi's A House for Happy Mothers. The novel follows the stories of two women: one in India, carrying the baby of the other who lives in the United States. Priya desperately wants a child of her own, and Asha needs the money to better the life of her children. I have read several of Malladi's books, which focus on cultural and women's issues.
Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.
Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock . . .
The nursery rhyme played itself in her head over and over again as she tried to fall asleep.
When the bought breaks, the cradle will fall.And down will come baby, cradle and all.
This one chance, she thought desperately. God, give me this one last chance.
Teaser from page 19% of A House for Happy Mothers:
She stroked her belly and then stopped; it was a futile gesture. This wasn't hers.
at 29%:
What do you think? Would you keep reading? Priya wanted to scream. How dare Farah make light of this? Priya could hardly sleep. She was so scared about her baby growing up thousands of miles away in a stranger's belly. And this woman was making a joke about it?
I had hoped to be farther along in the novel than I am right now. The two women lead such different lives, living in different countries and being from different cultures and classes. I do not imagine this book will be filled with many surprises, but I am finding it interesting and thought provoking.
© 2016, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
This sounds very good indeed with the contrast between the two women's lives - I already feel for them both from those short excerpts.
ReplyDeleteCleo - The two women are so different from one another. I it was interesting to see their lives laid out, side by side.
Delete!!! I just saw this today and thought it sounded brilliant! And i love these quotes!!
ReplyDeleteVerushka - It was a very interesting book to read. I am glad I read it.
DeleteIt sounds like quite a challenging read - as you say this one shouldn't be chockful of surprises, but it sounds as if the structure of it is throwing up some gnarly issues... This is my offering
ReplyDeletehttps://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/teaser-tuesday-10th-may-2016/
Sarah - The novel does tackle some heavy topics, and yet it isn't heavy-handed at all.
DeleteThis is a new to me title Wendy. I'd keep reading as I'm curious. Hope you enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I liked it. I think the author did a good job in showing the process and impact on individuals and relationships.
DeleteI'm not sure about this one because of the subject matter - i hope the intricacies of the arguments for and against are handled well.
ReplyDeleteEmma - I felt the author handled the subject matter well. It's not heavy handed or preachy at all. It's very balanced.
DeleteI tend to lean towards furry, 4-legged kids, so I'm not sure this book is for me. But thanks for sharing! My teaser this week is from an urban fantasy by Lisa Shearin: http://abookaddictsview.blogspot.com/2016/05/teaser-tuesday_10.html
ReplyDeleteI'm an animal lover too. :-)
DeleteI selected this as my May book from the Kindle program. I wasn't sure about it but I told myself to give it a try. The teasers help me fill in some of the plot. I'll be reading it this summer!
ReplyDeleteCharlie - I'll be curious to know what you think of it when you read it, Charlie.
DeleteThis sounds good. I like stories of comparisons between the characters. This is also new to me so I need to check it out. Enjoy the rest of the book.
ReplyDeleteMargot - I do too. And this one definitely does a good job of pointing out the stark contrast between these two women's lives.
DeleteI like the sounds of the teases. I have a feeling this will get very creepy.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental My TT
Sherry - It was an emotional read in some ways, hopeful in others. A very interesting one to be sure.
DeleteI am intrigued by this kind of story, and this twist—being thousands of miles away from one another—surely adds to the suspense. Will the surrogate keep the baby? How will it all unfold?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and here's mine: “THE CHILDREN”
Laurel-Rain - It was interesting to see how everything played out. I think the ending was fitting, happy in some ways and sad in others.
DeleteI can't imagine how hard it would be to carry a baby for someone else. I bet the mothers' lives are very different. Here's Mine
ReplyDeletePaulita - It was interesting to read both sides of the story. Of course, Asha's experience might be different from a surrogate in the U.S., given her circumstances. It's not something I have ever explored to know though.
DeleteI just saw this one this morning. I'm eager to see what you think when you finish.
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I should be posting my review next week. :-)
DeleteI probably would!
ReplyDeleteMine: https://storytreasury.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/teaser-tuesday-daring-by-elliott-james/
Sonia Lal - I enjoyed it. :-)
DeleteI'm finally reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and am really enjoying it. This one sounds interesting. I can see how it would be absolutely fascinating and heartbreaking for both women. I look forward to your review!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I am glad to hear it. Maybe someday I will read Me Before You. I haven't see the movie trailer yet. I keep meaning to look it up, but I never think of it when I'm in a position to watch it.
DeleteI am reviewing this later on this month. It looks like a good read. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHeather - I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!
DeleteThis would be a dramatic read. I watched a movie about a surrogate mother many years ago. It tore me apart and put me back together at the end. I bet this will keep you hooked.
ReplyDeleteHere's my TT
Laura - It was a very interesting story, especially being able to read about both sides.
DeleteThis sounds interesting and I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteMelody - It was quite interesting. I learned a lot I hadn't known (and looked it up to see how much was true).
DeleteI saw a review of this book and thought it must go on my TBR. Can't wait to hear what you think about it!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I am glad I read it. I hope you like it if you decide to give it a try!
DeleteI am intrigued by the book.
ReplyDeleteNise' - It was worth reading. :-)
DeleteGreat teaser. As a mother, I can only imagine the heartache.
ReplyDeleteReading Lark After Dark's Teaser
Tevya Mil - I imagine it would be hard not to get attached even knowing the child growing inside you isn't yours.
DeleteI've always found that verse incredibly chilling. Still, sounds like my kind of read, I'd continue reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm busy reading and so far very much enjoying Cruel Reality: Games Of Life And Death by C.J. Whitley
Tracy - You aren't alone in feeling that way about the nursery rhyme. It is chilling.
DeleteCruel Reality sounds really interesting. I'll look for your thoughts on it.
A House for Happy Mothers sounds intriguing, I'd keep reading. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteNaida - It was interesting. I am glad I read it.
DeleteI'm really looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I hope you enjoy it if you do read it!
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