Synopses & Reviews
Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya's father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land. Maya, though, doesn't know of her father's betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children's pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. But even a white lie cannot remain hidden foreverand when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything.
Synopsis
A magical mixture of East meets West, and mothers in conflict with daughters - for anyone who enjoyed 'Bend it like Beckham' but prefers food to football...
There's East. There's West. And then there's Maya...
Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya's father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land.
Maya, though, doesn't know of her father's betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children's pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home - the unfamiliar food, the language, the music - and then to explore and make bold plans, plans that her mother does not understand.
But even a white lie cannot remain hidden forever - and when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything...
Synopsis
'Preethi packs a powerful punch in this book about family, forgiveness and the power of truth.' Guardian When her husband uproots their family from India to a small house in London, Nalini trusts it's for the best. But when he abandons them for his secret family, Nalini is left battling for her family's survival.
Her maternal instincts in overdrive, Nalini decides to protect her children's perceptions of their father by telling them he's passed away.
As her daughter Maya starts shunning her heritage in favour of western practices, Nalini decides to remind her of home. With her skills lying in the kitchen, Nalini kick starts a business selling her mouth-watering homemade pickles and prays that the smells will lure her daughter back to her roots.
But the truth threatens to surface, and Nalini fears that her lies will break her already fragile family for good...
'An absorbing novel about mothers, daughters, food and truth.' Closer
'A genuinely moving novel' Daily Express
'A carefully woven tale that's exceedingly good' Company
'A dynamic author.' Good Housekeeping