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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I wasn't sure about reading this book. I thought Wright's last book [b:The Rent Collector|13628812|The Rent Collector|Camron Wright|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1340468685s/13628812.jpg|19235439] was a great story but really poorly written. I found this similar. The story, about a young Indian boy who is kidnapped and brought to an orphanage, then sent to the US to be adopted as if he were an orphan, was heartbreaking. His search for his birth family, which begins after an unexpected connection as a young adult, was similarly heartbreaking as well as uplifting. It was definitely hard to remember it was a true story. However, the writing was just as in the previous book of Wright's I had read. Poorly edited, and a strange combination of third-person memoir and fictional creation. I don't think I'll be sucked into another of his books any time soon.
This is a great book. I can't say more. This book shows that our lives can change in a second.
I originally gave this 3 stars but then I realized it made me cry, so I bumped it to 4. Really, this is a fantastic novel based on a remarkable true story. There were times when the coincidences seemed too amazing to be true! I would have liked to hear a bit more about Taj adjusting to American life, but I guess I understand how that would have made the book too long.
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the theme of dharma throughout the book and finding your life purpose and pathway. Whether it was the decisions of Chellamuthu (to not obey), his parents (form of punishment), the orphanage keeper (in wanting to make a better life for kids), his adoptive parents, Taj as an adult, his wife, or his in-laws, everyone plays a part and because of decisions made, the story seems to go in a different directions. In the end though when you look back, everyone contributed to this amazing story and the events that greatly influenced his life.
On a different note, there were some great thoughts through out the book, but one I especially liked was: When Papthi smiles and asks the children what the clickity clack sound is that happens both day and night, (they respond it's the loom making sari's for money) and she then goes on to explain "it's the sound of a young family making their way in the world, working together with the hope of a better life." Does it ever stop, the kids ask, "Life never stops, even when it's noisy, unpleasant, painful, it's still the sound of duty, of love, of family, of laws older than time that help us to ultimately find contentment--to be happy. It's the sound of our universe. It's the sound of purpose...the sound of dharma"
On a different note, there were some great thoughts through out the book, but one I especially liked was: When Papthi smiles and asks the children what the clickity clack sound is that happens both day and night, (they respond it's the loom making sari's for money) and she then goes on to explain "it's the sound of a young family making their way in the world, working together with the hope of a better life." Does it ever stop, the kids ask, "Life never stops, even when it's noisy, unpleasant, painful, it's still the sound of duty, of love, of family, of laws older than time that help us to ultimately find contentment--to be happy. It's the sound of our universe. It's the sound of purpose...the sound of dharma"
"….there's goodness and purpose and reason out there… trust it… life will always be hard, but if we do our best, if we persist, we can make a difference…"
I couldn't put this book down.
I couldn't read fast enough, while at the same time, I couldn't slow down enough to savor it.
Overseas adoption have always made me question the legitimacy of the actual adoption. Were these kids given up? Abandoned? Stolen? Bought and paid for??? Who really knows and are they talking???
You have to question U.S. adoptions, as well. We know it happened in Tennessee, into the 1940s, with babies being sold in Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. What about the huge influx from abroad???
Another thing I struggled with was the downplay that he was adopted by a Mormon family and Taj's London schooling was actually an LDS mission trip. Why did they feel the need to hide that???
Are these ponderings actually the same thing? Or something else entirely??? Am I reading more into this than I should be???
Hmmm...
Best book I have read in a while.
I couldn't put this book down.
I couldn't read fast enough, while at the same time, I couldn't slow down enough to savor it.
Overseas adoption have always made me question the legitimacy of the actual adoption. Were these kids given up? Abandoned? Stolen? Bought and paid for??? Who really knows and are they talking???
You have to question U.S. adoptions, as well. We know it happened in Tennessee, into the 1940s, with babies being sold in Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri. What about the huge influx from abroad???
Another thing I struggled with was the downplay that he was adopted by a Mormon family and Taj's London schooling was actually an LDS mission trip. Why did they feel the need to hide that???
Are these ponderings actually the same thing? Or something else entirely??? Am I reading more into this than I should be???
Hmmm...
Best book I have read in a while.