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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I found a book called "The Cows of Bangalore and How I Came to Own One" at a book shop in Bangalore, by the same author, and after reading this synopsis and other reviews I beleive they are one in the same...if anyone can confirm please let me know!
I recently moved from NYC to Bangalore, and was instantly drawn to this book; it helped me to get a better understanding of my environment, where I'm not as familiar with the customs and traditions. I think it paints such a clear picture of the interconnectedness of Indian life, and of course highlights the importance of Mama Cow in sooooooo many ways that I never would've imagined.
I recently moved from NYC to Bangalore, and was instantly drawn to this book; it helped me to get a better understanding of my environment, where I'm not as familiar with the customs and traditions. I think it paints such a clear picture of the interconnectedness of Indian life, and of course highlights the importance of Mama Cow in sooooooo many ways that I never would've imagined.
I loved this book! Being from the US, I don't know anything about what life is like in India so it was an enlightening window into life in another country and their relationships with the land and cows. It also explained some indian mannerisms and quirks of thought that I've witnessed but didn't understand fully. It was both sadder and more uplifting than I expected. Definitely give this a read if you're looking to learn something new!
Charming read but thought it was a little rambling. Some scenes in the book seemed rather forced and contrived, with the author trying to be charming self-consciously. That being said, I enjoyed the research bits about species of cows in India, grades and types of milk and everything about Bangalore.
An fun read for a lazy evening.
An fun read for a lazy evening.
i found this in the library on our cruise ship amongst a lot of other books I wasn't interested in. It sounded unique so I picked it up...good decision.
Later on, I foind out the author went to my college and graduated a year before I arrived. No wonder I liked it!
Later on, I foind out the author went to my college and graduated a year before I arrived. No wonder I liked it!
Fairly quick, easy read of insider (well, born in India, moved as adolescent, naturalized American citizen, moved back to India with adolescent children so they could know their grands and cousins) perspective. I enjoyed her descriptions of the milk merchant and her family and their varying motivations. I really enjoyed her description of her husband and (American) children’s reactions to her trying offbeat local foods and remedies. And lots of explanation as to why the cow is so revered. Cool little book.
Overall, I found this book endearing and amazing in that I learned many things about cows and India. It started out slow, but got better as the book went on,
The Milk Lady of Bangalore was one of my book group’s picks that looked like it was right up my alley – fun, but also a book where I would learn more about Indian culture. It wasn’t one that had been on my radar, either, so I was anxious to delve into it.
Shoba Narayan immigrated to the United States, but after 20 years living here, she and her husband decided to return to India with their two daughters. She is a writer who has put together several stories of her life there and the relationship she has developed with the lady across the street, Sarala, who sells milk from her cow. The book got off to a hilarious start when Shoba arrives at her new apartment building and discovers a cow in the elevator. It is on its way to do a house blessing for one of the other tenants in the building. Shoba decides they need to also have their house blessed, so she follows the cow and owner to see if the owner can bring the cow over to her apartment afterward. This is the beginning of a bond that develops between the two women. Through the telling of Shoba’s experiences, we learn a lot about cows and their importance in India as well as a lot of the cultural nuances of the country.
Narayan does an excellent job of bringing the sights and sounds of India to the story so that I felt that I was there. I did enjoy learning more about the cultural aspects so that I think I have a better understanding now of the country and people. After the great beginning to the book, though, I never felt like it entirely kept up with the start. Although there is humor in the book, it didn’t keep up with the pace I expected. The book is relatively short and a quick read.
Shoba Narayan immigrated to the United States, but after 20 years living here, she and her husband decided to return to India with their two daughters. She is a writer who has put together several stories of her life there and the relationship she has developed with the lady across the street, Sarala, who sells milk from her cow. The book got off to a hilarious start when Shoba arrives at her new apartment building and discovers a cow in the elevator. It is on its way to do a house blessing for one of the other tenants in the building. Shoba decides they need to also have their house blessed, so she follows the cow and owner to see if the owner can bring the cow over to her apartment afterward. This is the beginning of a bond that develops between the two women. Through the telling of Shoba’s experiences, we learn a lot about cows and their importance in India as well as a lot of the cultural nuances of the country.
Narayan does an excellent job of bringing the sights and sounds of India to the story so that I felt that I was there. I did enjoy learning more about the cultural aspects so that I think I have a better understanding now of the country and people. After the great beginning to the book, though, I never felt like it entirely kept up with the start. Although there is humor in the book, it didn’t keep up with the pace I expected. The book is relatively short and a quick read.