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suvata's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been recycled 3 or 4 times and it ended up with me. Guess it was meant to be.
Absolutely loved this family’s story. It’s about sisters who tragically lose their parents at a young age and are raised by their Sikh uncle. I had a huge emotional reaction to this most unusual family.
Note to Amazon: It’s a pity that this book is not available in Kindle format. It would attract a lot of new readers.
Absolutely loved this family’s story. It’s about sisters who tragically lose their parents at a young age and are raised by their Sikh uncle. I had a huge emotional reaction to this most unusual family.
Note to Amazon: It’s a pity that this book is not available in Kindle format. It would attract a lot of new readers.
meghan_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
family, Quebec culture, eating disorders, race
bookmarked642's review against another edition
5.0
A huge thanks to Edelweiss+ for providing me with a copy of this novel.
As I've mentioned many times on my blog, I have anorexia. I struggle with mental health issues and I believe books on the topic are extremely important. This took my interest for that reason, but I didn't expect this unique view. Beena's sister, Sadhana, is diagnosed with anorexia at 14 - after a rather traumatic, difficult childhood. Beena recaps their early days, while simultaneously narrating her current-day life. At first, Beena only vaguely references Sadhana's illness, but it soon becomes clear that her heart attack was brought on by the eating disorder.
This book is about Sadhana's struggle, her sister's sire attempts to help her, and her grief at Sadhana's eventual passing, but it is also about so much more. It is about Beena's teenage pregnancy and single motherhood. It is about the death of their parents, one by one, before they were even midway through their teens. It is about Sadhana's on-off struggles, Beena's exhaustion at being her carer, their relationship and arguments and love. It is also about Sadhana's life, separate to Beena's, her secret girlfriend. It's about life overall, really. And while the anorexia is a huge part of it, it isn't the whole story.
It was written fantastically, and the opinions Beena gives on Sadhana's illness are really quite unique. She expresses her anger and frustration, and the tiring nature of caring for her sister throughout her life. She does not express the sympathy and sadness toward sufferers that is often portrayed in books.
Sometimes, I did find Beena a bit too harsh - and Sadhana, too, actually. But overall the characterisation was great, and the relationship between the girls is so complex it feels real. 4.5 stars.
As I've mentioned many times on my blog, I have anorexia. I struggle with mental health issues and I believe books on the topic are extremely important. This took my interest for that reason, but I didn't expect this unique view. Beena's sister, Sadhana, is diagnosed with anorexia at 14 - after a rather traumatic, difficult childhood. Beena recaps their early days, while simultaneously narrating her current-day life. At first, Beena only vaguely references Sadhana's illness, but it soon becomes clear that her heart attack was brought on by the eating disorder.
This book is about Sadhana's struggle, her sister's sire attempts to help her, and her grief at Sadhana's eventual passing, but it is also about so much more. It is about Beena's teenage pregnancy and single motherhood. It is about the death of their parents, one by one, before they were even midway through their teens. It is about Sadhana's on-off struggles, Beena's exhaustion at being her carer, their relationship and arguments and love. It is also about Sadhana's life, separate to Beena's, her secret girlfriend. It's about life overall, really. And while the anorexia is a huge part of it, it isn't the whole story.
It was written fantastically, and the opinions Beena gives on Sadhana's illness are really quite unique. She expresses her anger and frustration, and the tiring nature of caring for her sister throughout her life. She does not express the sympathy and sadness toward sufferers that is often portrayed in books.
Sometimes, I did find Beena a bit too harsh - and Sadhana, too, actually. But overall the characterisation was great, and the relationship between the girls is so complex it feels real. 4.5 stars.
shays's review against another edition
4.0
The strong centre-piece of this novel is the way Saleema Nawaz beautifully evinces the complicated nature of the relationship between the sisters, both their closeness, and also their desire to differentiate themselves from one another. read more
ah24's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
k8atonic's review against another edition
4.0
#5 of 5 for Canada Reads, and my favourite. The 5 titles are so different in the theme "starting over" that I find it difficult to compare them. The debates should prove to be very interesting.
The characters of Bone and Bread are complex and flawed and infinitely human. Their relationships are many-layered, just like real life. Sadhana is a self-absorbed princess who I wanted to strangle from her first drama as a teenager. I cannot imagine putting up with that behaviour for a lifetime. Consequently, Beena is the stereotypical martyr.
Another part of the reason I enjoyed this book ... Beena buys a home in LeBreton Flats in Ottawa, where I own my home. I imagined Beena and Quinn wandering my hood. :)
The characters of Bone and Bread are complex and flawed and infinitely human. Their relationships are many-layered, just like real life. Sadhana is a self-absorbed princess who I wanted to strangle from her first drama as a teenager. I cannot imagine putting up with that behaviour for a lifetime. Consequently, Beena is the stereotypical martyr.
Another part of the reason I enjoyed this book ... Beena buys a home in LeBreton Flats in Ottawa, where I own my home. I imagined Beena and Quinn wandering my hood. :)
avehigdon's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kristaann's review against another edition
4.0
My first CanadaReads 2016 book. I really enjoyed this story. As it usually goes, I'm sure that the one that I like never win, but maybe Bone and Bread has a chance.