One Hundred Shades of White - Hardcover

Nair, Preethi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007143451 ISBN 13: 9780007143450

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

Synopsis

A magical mixture of East meets West, mothers in conflict with daughters, and the healing power of food.

‘I cannot easily put into words why I told my children their father had died. What was I supposed to tell them? The truth? ‘’Monu, Mol, your father has had enough of responsibility, he has another family, he’s gone, left us.’’ Maybe there are one hundred shades for explaining truth, a spectrum from light to dark, depending on the vulnerability of those who have to hear it. Things are not always clear cut, they are not either black or white, life just isn’t like that.’

Nalini and her two young children are transplanted from luxury in India to the bewildering confusion of London, only to be abandoned by her negligent husband. At first survival is a struggle, but Nalini turns to what she does best: cooking. Her mouthwatering pickles bring financial stability and domestic happiness, as well as affecting everyone who tastes them.

Everyone, that is, except for her daughter, Maya. Maya loves fish fingers, burgers and chips. She’s not interested in her history; that died with her father. Resisting the pull of her family, she follows her own chaotic journey which will take her back to India before she can face the truth about her parents, forgive them and herself – and admit that lime pickle is delicious, after all.

About this title

Review:

"A heart-warming read about families, forgiveness, carving futures and filtering truth." Guardian

‘She writes evocatively about childhood and there are passages of tight and lyrical immediacy...Moving description packs a powerful punch in this book about family, forgiveness and the power of truth.’ Guardian

‘A great read. Fast, funny and full of life’ Shyama Perera, author of ‘I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet’

‘Luscious’ Oxford Times

‘A genuinely moving novel...like the bottled spices that play such a role in the story, this has all its ingredients in just the right quantities to spirit away all negative emotions.’ Daily Express

‘[This book] will have you praying for a delayed train’ Glamour

‘A warm-hearted tale of survival’ Bookseller

‘A dynamic author.’ Good Housekeeping

From the Publisher:

Preethi Nair was Winner of the Young Achiever of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, 2001.
She was also shortlisted for Publicist of the Year at the PPC awards, following her audacious campaign for her self-published novel, GYPSY MASALA. Preethi created an alter ego and generated a huge amount of interest as Preu Menon, top promoter of first-time novelists

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0007143451
• ISBN 13: 9780007143450
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304