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clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition
4.0
Strictly speaking a 3.5, though I'll approximate it upwards in recognition of the author's efforts at producing the epic setup of the book, giving the reader great insight into how the turmoil during India and Pakistan's formation, affected the daily lives of many, while incorporating the themes of gender awareness, importance of racial and religious tolerance.
I understand that the author is trying to draw parallels between the religious upheavals in India and Pakistan, to forebode what Singapore has gone through in her early years, as well as what is to come, to drive home the importance of acceptance and tolerance. However at times the delivery of the narrative felt very forced (e.g. the bringing up about LKY and SG50), and could be done better as demonstrated by [a:Balli Kaur Jaswal|6924387|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475718370p2/6924387.jpg]'s [b:Inheritance|19461579|Inheritance|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387031356s/19461579.jpg|24071930] or [b:Sugarbread|34629478|Sugarbread|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489984982s/34629478.jpg|48259928].
Also, the theme on gender empowerment between the generations, from Nimita Sr, to Urmila Jr, then down to Nimita Jr, was an interesting but underdeveloped chain, as we only have a very hazy understanding of Urmila Jr's story, which is taboo is in the family.
Nevertheless, it is still a commendable piece of work, and I look forward to more works from the author.
I understand that the author is trying to draw parallels between the religious upheavals in India and Pakistan, to forebode what Singapore has gone through in her early years, as well as what is to come, to drive home the importance of acceptance and tolerance. However at times the delivery of the narrative felt very forced (e.g. the bringing up about LKY and SG50), and could be done better as demonstrated by [a:Balli Kaur Jaswal|6924387|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475718370p2/6924387.jpg]'s [b:Inheritance|19461579|Inheritance|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387031356s/19461579.jpg|24071930] or [b:Sugarbread|34629478|Sugarbread|Balli Kaur Jaswal|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1489984982s/34629478.jpg|48259928].
Also, the theme on gender empowerment between the generations, from Nimita Sr, to Urmila Jr, then down to Nimita Jr, was an interesting but underdeveloped chain, as we only have a very hazy understanding of Urmila Jr's story, which is taboo is in the family.
Nevertheless, it is still a commendable piece of work, and I look forward to more works from the author.
aylinniazai_reads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
DNF: listened to the audiobook for EIGHT HOURS and I still have no idea what it's about.
Nothing is happening, there's two different storylines but in the audiobook it's very unclear who's who, there's too many names and they all sound very similar, they talk veryyyy weird? I know Indians, they don't talk English like this, by which I mean: very short sentences that are often incomplete and sticking to a vocabulary of 15 words.. I love learning about Indian culture and living in Singapore, but this book really isn't for me.
Nothing is happening, there's two different storylines but in the audiobook it's very unclear who's who, there's too many names and they all sound very similar, they talk veryyyy weird? I know Indians, they don't talk English like this, by which I mean: very short sentences that are often incomplete and sticking to a vocabulary of 15 words.. I love learning about Indian culture and living in Singapore, but this book really isn't for me.
nata_lee's review
2.75
Tremendo bloqueo de lectora con el que me topé leyendo este libro, lo cual creo que es la razón por la que nunca conecté mucho con él. Porque en verdad me gustó mucho y si pienso en el libro en sí, hay muchos elementos que me gustaron. Aún así, sí debo decir que no lo disfruté tanto… Creo que mi aspecto favorito de haberlo leído fue adentrarme al mundo de lo que es Singapur, que era para mí algo completamente desconocido, y aprender más sobre India también. Me gustaron los personajes y lo relatable que se me hacían. Me gustaron las descripciones de la comida, todo sonaba muuuuy bueno. Y también amé el final, el epílogo, con las reflexiones de la nueva felicidad encontrada de Nimita.
myjourneywithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
My rating - 4.5
In 1944 India, Nimita Khosla dreams of attending university to become an engineer but fate and her parents have other plans. Soon after, religious upheaval in the country forces her to flee with her family, leaving behind all the comforts of the life she had known. Seventy years later, her granddaughter, molecular biologist Nimita Sachdev, decides to leave India in the face of a prospective arranged marriage and seeks to set up a new life in Singapore.
The novel alternates between both timelines, intertwining the lives of the two Nimitas. Normally in such cases I find myself drawn more to one story than the other, but with this book, each woman's expertly written story had me in its grips.
From the fear and uncertainty that the older Nimita faces as she flees for her life, to the annoyance the younger Nimita feels for the hot weather and her neighbour, Akshita Nanda brings her characters and their surroundings vividly to life. Not just the two Nimitas but the minor characters as well; I especially savoured the humour-filled conversations that Nimita junior has with her friends, Chia Ying and Irving.
This book gives us a look into how, even as the women in this family gain more empowerment across generations, they are still faced with the same questions of identity and belonging. Nimita's Place was truly a delight to read and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more from Akshita Nanda!
In 1944 India, Nimita Khosla dreams of attending university to become an engineer but fate and her parents have other plans. Soon after, religious upheaval in the country forces her to flee with her family, leaving behind all the comforts of the life she had known. Seventy years later, her granddaughter, molecular biologist Nimita Sachdev, decides to leave India in the face of a prospective arranged marriage and seeks to set up a new life in Singapore.
The novel alternates between both timelines, intertwining the lives of the two Nimitas. Normally in such cases I find myself drawn more to one story than the other, but with this book, each woman's expertly written story had me in its grips.
From the fear and uncertainty that the older Nimita faces as she flees for her life, to the annoyance the younger Nimita feels for the hot weather and her neighbour, Akshita Nanda brings her characters and their surroundings vividly to life. Not just the two Nimitas but the minor characters as well; I especially savoured the humour-filled conversations that Nimita junior has with her friends, Chia Ying and Irving.
This book gives us a look into how, even as the women in this family gain more empowerment across generations, they are still faced with the same questions of identity and belonging. Nimita's Place was truly a delight to read and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more from Akshita Nanda!
ackatienza's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rebelbooksta's review against another edition
1.0
#NimitasPlace by #AkshitaNanda is BANAL. Long-winded and convoluted. Just one of those trying too hard types. I'm compelled to come down heavy-handed on this title.
@akshitan: Akshita, I'm a Tamil (aka "Madrasi, the dark-skinned CREATURES down South" written by you according to your Shukla Bibi character in your story). Allow me to educate you from one scientist to another. According to wave-particle duality, only through the visible light spectrum,(calibrated to yellow rays) in the entire electromagnetic spectrum there are visible skin colour differences which you and I can see. All humans are actually Black over the rest of the spectrums in electromagnetic radiation. Humans have limited understanding of light in EM versus skin complexion. Do I also need to teach you on melanin now?
That's some temerity you had in writing a racist epithet in your character's voice, WITHOUT RECOVERING the said narrative's gross prejudice casted on us Tamils. It's a fact we are dark-skinned. We have no issues with the colour. However, I, as a Tamil reader, a 4th Generation Singaporean Tamil reader who's ancestry from Tamilnadu, need to know your actual intention behind that statement. I think writers like you enjoy fanning the flames of hatred based on something as trivial as skin colour, pitting racism between dark complexion humans against their light skinned counterparts. Even if you meant it as part of "humor/banter" most northern & southern Indians indulge in, how did you conclude that statement you wrote? Clearly reflects your lack of prose, & I could only tell there's a glaring lack of competence in your writing& thought-processes.
I believe it went through some vetting before this story was published. @epigrambooks does it sit well with you that you gave a pass to a grossly derogatory remark written in the epilogue of this book? Unbelievable to know given this day and time, we still have publishers enabling idiocy& racism by printing stories that should have been rejected & trashed. This is a glaring lack of conviction and lack of filter for filth. I think you could do better.
#epigrambooks #IGReads #singlitstation #readingnationsg #publiclibrarysg #Bookstagram
@akshitan: Akshita, I'm a Tamil (aka "Madrasi, the dark-skinned CREATURES down South" written by you according to your Shukla Bibi character in your story). Allow me to educate you from one scientist to another. According to wave-particle duality, only through the visible light spectrum,(calibrated to yellow rays) in the entire electromagnetic spectrum there are visible skin colour differences which you and I can see. All humans are actually Black over the rest of the spectrums in electromagnetic radiation. Humans have limited understanding of light in EM versus skin complexion. Do I also need to teach you on melanin now?
That's some temerity you had in writing a racist epithet in your character's voice, WITHOUT RECOVERING the said narrative's gross prejudice casted on us Tamils. It's a fact we are dark-skinned. We have no issues with the colour. However, I, as a Tamil reader, a 4th Generation Singaporean Tamil reader who's ancestry from Tamilnadu, need to know your actual intention behind that statement. I think writers like you enjoy fanning the flames of hatred based on something as trivial as skin colour, pitting racism between dark complexion humans against their light skinned counterparts. Even if you meant it as part of "humor/banter" most northern & southern Indians indulge in, how did you conclude that statement you wrote? Clearly reflects your lack of prose, & I could only tell there's a glaring lack of competence in your writing& thought-processes.
I believe it went through some vetting before this story was published. @epigrambooks does it sit well with you that you gave a pass to a grossly derogatory remark written in the epilogue of this book? Unbelievable to know given this day and time, we still have publishers enabling idiocy& racism by printing stories that should have been rejected & trashed. This is a glaring lack of conviction and lack of filter for filth. I think you could do better.
#epigrambooks #IGReads #singlitstation #readingnationsg #publiclibrarysg #Bookstagram
beebottoms's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
One of the best Singapore lit i’ve read! And another one i loved is also by Akshita Nanda, her recent novel Beauty Queens of Bishan. So it’s safe to say she’s one of my fave Singapore writers now. In Nimita’s Place, Nanda creates a dual narrative split in alternating chapters that follow two Nimitas living in two different countries and at different times. One Nimita works as a scientist/microbiology researcher in contemporary Singapore, and the other Nimita is her grandmother, growing up and making her own family in India in the late 1940s and the 1950s, when Partition forces her to out of her home.
I think Nanda got the dual narrative structure down pretty well. Although the writing styles and tones differ quite a lot between the two narratives—light and often humorous contemporary fiction vs sobering and “literary” historical fiction—both engaged me a lot. But i can firmly say i liked the historical narrative more than the contemporary one. The latter got slightly far-fetched towards the end, with a romantic plotline appearing quite out of nowhere and to me it felt disjointed thematically from the rest of the book. I don’t know what purpose it served other than maybe to add some drama for the sake of drama. It also brought up something new, about paranoia disorder, quite haphazardly, without going deeper into it as something that complex deserves. Mental health was not a topic central to the novel before the disorder came into the picture, and it did not really become one after either. But the historical narrative set in India, gosh it was beautifully written and heart-wrenching.
One of the best Singapore lit i’ve read! And another one i loved is also by Akshita Nanda, her recent novel Beauty Queens of Bishan. So it’s safe to say she’s one of my fave Singapore writers now. In Nimita’s Place, Nanda creates a dual narrative split in alternating chapters that follow two Nimitas living in two different countries and at different times. One Nimita works as a scientist/microbiology researcher in contemporary Singapore, and the other Nimita is her grandmother, growing up and making her own family in India in the late 1940s and the 1950s, when Partition forces her to out of her home.
I think Nanda got the dual narrative structure down pretty well. Although the writing styles and tones differ quite a lot between the two narratives—light and often humorous contemporary fiction vs sobering and “literary” historical fiction—both engaged me a lot. But i can firmly say i liked the historical narrative more than the contemporary one. The latter got slightly far-fetched towards the end, with a romantic plotline appearing quite out of nowhere and to me it felt disjointed thematically from the rest of the book. I don’t know what purpose it served other than maybe to add some drama for the sake of drama. It also brought up something new, about paranoia disorder, quite haphazardly, without going deeper into it as something that complex deserves. Mental health was not a topic central to the novel before the disorder came into the picture, and it did not really become one after either. But the historical narrative set in India, gosh it was beautifully written and heart-wrenching.
thesgtrekkiereads's review against another edition
5.0
☆☆☆☆*
Today is #bookfairiesoffline day and I decided to maximise it.
I've started on the secret garden about 20% into the book.
And then, i decided that today is a day where I will pamper myself a lil.. did face masks, made an iced mocha at first then hot cuppa later... i sat...i savoured the brilliance that is nimita's place.
I'm thrilled to bits that I finally wrapped this up yet sad at the same time. Btw, there is a lil' total coincidence between the two books i read today!
The reason why I added the second photo is that I had that exact face, let out a sigh of bliss, and savoured the drama, the journey this book has taken me and for that I thank ms akshita nanda and epigram for releasing this book which has become one of my favourite books, not just for 2020....
Today is #bookfairiesoffline day and I decided to maximise it.
I've started on the secret garden about 20% into the book.
And then, i decided that today is a day where I will pamper myself a lil.. did face masks, made an iced mocha at first then hot cuppa later... i sat...i savoured the brilliance that is nimita's place.
I'm thrilled to bits that I finally wrapped this up yet sad at the same time. Btw, there is a lil' total coincidence between the two books i read today!
The reason why I added the second photo is that I had that exact face, let out a sigh of bliss, and savoured the drama, the journey this book has taken me and for that I thank ms akshita nanda and epigram for releasing this book which has become one of my favourite books, not just for 2020....
slightlyliterary's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
One of my last Singlit reads of 2020, Nimita's Place is an inter-generational story that follows the narratives of two people: Nimita Khosla in 1940s India, who wishes to attend university and become an engineer, and Nimita Sachdev (Nimita K.'s granddaughter) in 2010s Singapore, who wants to settle down in Singapore with Permanent Residency (PR).
This is an ambitious dual narrative that not only highlights the issues of contemporary Singapore with regards to its immigrants, but also explores the historical background and culture of India, as well as the effects of the Partition (separation of British India into modern-day India and Pakistan) on its citizens. Additionally, it also covers the theme of gender roles and how they've changed over time.
While all these sound like a lot to pack into one book, Nanda executes these themes and issues quite well and manages to give us insight into the day-to-day lives and current issues of both Nimitas. Personally, I found the 1940s narrative to be much more cohesive and compelling; I really liked how the growing tension present within society and the uncertainty of the characters was weaved in so seamlessly and as a whole, it felt a lot more emotionally-gripping. On the other hand, I found that the prose of the contemporary narrative felt a little forced at some parts (e.g. detailing SG50 celebrations, the death of Lee Kuan Yew etc.). And while I appreciated a lot of the descriptions of Singapore and its little aspects of daily life and settings, I disliked how the writing came across as more telling rather than showing sometimes.
One thing I found a little confusing, though, was the sudden addition of mental illness (specifically, paranoia personality disorder) as a theme much later into the contemporary narrative. I liked that it explored the psychological distress and mental strain of caring for a loved one while seeing the changes that affect their personality and the way they treat you. However, as a whole, it felt like nothing more than a cursory glance into the topic of mental illness, given that the whole thematic scope of this story doesn't seem to have much to do with this topic.
Overall though, this was an enjoyable read with a wide-ranging spectrum of issues, with the historical narrative being written so beautifully. I'm curious to see what the author has planned for her future works.
This is an ambitious dual narrative that not only highlights the issues of contemporary Singapore with regards to its immigrants, but also explores the historical background and culture of India, as well as the effects of the Partition (separation of British India into modern-day India and Pakistan) on its citizens. Additionally, it also covers the theme of gender roles and how they've changed over time.
While all these sound like a lot to pack into one book, Nanda executes these themes and issues quite well and manages to give us insight into the day-to-day lives and current issues of both Nimitas. Personally, I found the 1940s narrative to be much more cohesive and compelling; I really liked how the growing tension present within society and the uncertainty of the characters was weaved in so seamlessly and as a whole, it felt a lot more emotionally-gripping. On the other hand, I found that the prose of the contemporary narrative felt a little forced at some parts (e.g. detailing SG50 celebrations, the death of Lee Kuan Yew etc.). And while I appreciated a lot of the descriptions of Singapore and its little aspects of daily life and settings, I disliked how the writing came across as more telling rather than showing sometimes.
One thing I found a little confusing, though, was the sudden addition of mental illness (specifically, paranoia personality disorder) as a theme much later into the contemporary narrative. I liked that it explored the psychological distress and mental strain of caring for a loved one while seeing the changes that affect their personality and the way they treat you. However, as a whole, it felt like nothing more than a cursory glance into the topic of mental illness, given that the whole thematic scope of this story doesn't seem to have much to do with this topic.
Overall though, this was an enjoyable read with a wide-ranging spectrum of issues, with the historical narrative being written so beautifully. I'm curious to see what the author has planned for her future works.
Content Warnings
Minor: Hate crime, Religious bigotry, and Violence
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