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great idea, but the execution of it is a little slow and a little dry, and to my mind the novel is too long." But she concludes "Nevertheless, Whitaker is a thoughtful and imaginative writer, who bends to his subject and characters with rare humility and commitment. He is yet to find a confident authorial voice and a strong identifying style, but with time he may well do so".
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states that despite never having been to India, the author "has managed with exquisite sensitivity to capture the feel and the tone of the country." Loudon does criticize the novels 'lack of pace and colour', explaining that "To set up a debate about science versus religion in contemporary India is a
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has no such reservations and calls the novel 'a little masterpiece', writing "Because of its familiar subject and the naiveté of the characters one might be inclined to put this book aside after the first chapter, but it is well worth persevering with because
Whitaker is so genuinely inventive. The
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is also positive, "It is a pleasant surprise to find an
English writer who deftly evokes both the peculiar flavours of modern Indian life and the rhythms of subcontinental literature as a whole. Whitaker's novel plays off the themes of rationalism and spirituality, sculpting them into a leisurely
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which appears to provide the ideal opportunity to impress her. Meanwhile, his faithful but superstitious wife Sumila determines to restore his love for her with the help of the Hindu gods and under the counsel of her overbearing mother.
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Set in a small Indian town in 1995 where Rajesh
Deshpande, an insecure, isolated science teacher is smitten by the new English tutor, but struggles to find a way to meet her. Then he learns about the
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characters are always surprising you and contributing something subtle and interesting to the theme. Perhaps economy is the key to
Whitaker's brilliance. Nothing is overdone."
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John
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Betty Trask Past
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comedy" and concludes "A generously humoured, genuinely humane account of infatuation and heartbreak".
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COSTA (FORMERLY WHITBREAD) BOOK AWARDS Shortlists 1995 - present
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