Breathing in color

Synaesthesia is an extraordinary sensory condition that makes people see the world in a kaleidoscope of shapes, colors and smells.

 

I have a special regard for books that bring out a lesser known phenomenon in an artistic way. Breathing in color is one such book. Beneath its simple, beautiful story lies a tribute to all synaesthetes and to their beautiful gift of seeing color in everything. Set in India the novel revolves around Alicia Salter and her synaesthete daughter Mia who has disappeared when on a trip to India. Alicia comes to India determined to find her daughter. In the process she discovers she has lost her daughter long before her trip to India. Along with a quirky but concerned artist Tao who she meets in India, the mother sets out on a daunting task of rediscovering and finding her missing daughter. For Mia though, everything is always painted, everything has a color, some inviting, some agonizing...but she has always reserved a warm vanilla for her loving mother whom she has forever lost after an unintentional but distressing incident which forms the foundation and is richly sprinkled with details throughout the book.

Fast paced and superbly written I am mighty impressed with Clare Jay's debut novel. I am equally spellbound by the plight and talents of the many synaesthetes and the life they lead. This book splashed on me a muted but enticing red - with small but unmissed grey dots.

‘These are the stars we catch before I go to sleep,’ Mia had announced, her eyes ablaze with pride as she pointed at the sequins. ‘When the pink ones sparkle, they fizz in my mouth like sherbet.’
- Clare Jay (Breathing in color)

The Japanese Lover

Rani Manicka doesn't disappoint with another poignant and touching story set again in her favorite(?) lands of Ceylon and Malaya. Young Parvati is married and sent away from Ceylon to a wealthy businessman in Malaya. However, once her husband, Kasu Marimuthu finds out he was cheated by being a shown a different, prettier photograph of his wife to be he punishes her to a life with wealth but no love.. Parvati is married but lonely. She has always wished to be passionately loved with careless abandon. Japanese invasion of Malaya has been shown in a different light as compared to "The rice mother" when Parvati finds and is forced to befriend a Japanese general who shows her the way to passionate love and extreme ecstasy.

He is the enemy she cannot stop loving.

Sprinkled with numerous interesting and mysterious characters, this books only makes me restless to start with "Touching Earth", another of Rani Manicka's wonders.

"If you could see what I see in your wife," the vision said quietly, "you would fall to your knees in awe. Know that she is an adored soul who has incarnated to experience love in the most unlikely circumstances"
— Rani Manicka (The Japanese Lover)

Best,

Gargi

The Rice Mother

Rani Manicka weaves an excellent tapestry of four generations, of the many loves, drama, family, hatred, broken dreams and undaunted human spirit. Spanning the two exotic lands of Ceylon and Malaya we experience the story of Lakshmi and her undying spirit, Ayah her husband - useless but needed. The story begins with Lakshmi being bound in matrimony with the elderly and miserable Ayah. It then brings with it her six unique children each endowed and cursed in their own way. The story is a perfect example of how everything goes wrong but the human spirit still survives, broken but not vanquished, unhappy but alive. Japanese invasion of Malaya steals Lakshmi of her lovely daughter Mohini leaving her irreparably broken and eventually changing her into a crueler, merciless person that cannot but cast a shadow on the generations to come. The story beautifully ends with Lakshmi's great grand daughter Nisha taking an active interest in her family's legacy - her only ancestral wealth.
Written with elan, thought to perfection it touches its readers in ways unknown. Rani Manicka should  surely be someone with extraordinary sensitivity and talent to have given us a book of this caliber.


"Flowers grow beneath her feet, but she is not dead at all. The years have not diminished the Rice Mother. I see her, fierce and magical. Stop despairing and call to her, and you will see, she will come bearing a rainbow of dreams."
— Rani Manicka (The Rice Mother)


"He is my taboo, but I am his secret"
— Rani Manicka (The Rice Mother)


“Love comes and goes like the dye that colors a garment. I mistook love for the garment. Family is the garment. Let her wear her family with pride.
— Rani Manicka (The Rice Mother) 

Best,
Gargi

To a lifetime of books.

Those of you who know me also know of my love for books. I am often asked by friends for suggestions and opinions on books. More than anything I have always wanted to keep track and keep reading about the many treasures I have read. I am glad I am doing it today!

All suggestions welcome.

Happy reading!

Gargi