The Sudden Disappearance of Seetha is the debut novel of Andrea Gunraj. Andrea is part of The New Face of Fiction at Random House and I would say this novel is a great indication of what a great author she is and will be. I will say right off that I loved this book!
It starts off with a bang as we’re taken into the future a bit when Neela’s baby girl Seetha is stolen from her in the night. We get a glimpse into who Neela is and how all the decisions she’s made in her life up until this moment may have in fact led ultimately to her daughter’s kidnapping.
The story starts with Neela and her older brother Navi as kids. The two compete constantly. They are being brought up by their grandmother as their mother left years ago to work as a nanny in what is always referred to as overseas in the novel. Now the story itself takes place in Guyana but there were times I found myself a bit confused as to who was where but this in no way took away from the story itself. Their mom phones often and they fight over who can get the most and best attention. We feel Neela’s insecurities when it comes to her brother. He is a mathematical genius and Neela feels that she isn’t good at anything. Navi gets all the positive attention and this is difficult for Neela. This is what the story evolves from. Neela hates Navi because he is so smart and everyone likes him because of it. Navi doesn’t help the situation by antagonizing Neela whenever he can. The only thing she has to fight back with is her ‘magical power’ and although she doesn’t completely understand how it works, she uses it when she can.
Finally, rebelling, Neela takes up with the town ‘bad guy’ Jaroon. She wants to leave Marasaw with a passion and will do almost anything to get out. She eventually heads to Eden, a corrupt government development being built for the tourists out in the rainforest) and hopes to be a teacher there. What she finds is not what she dreamed off when she started out and the only hope she has is that Jaroon will be soon coming there too. Eden is horrifying and Neela is one of only two women on the island, the other being her new friend Karha. Finally Jaroon arrives and being the type of person he is quickly makes himself into an important person on the island. For a while, Neela lives the good life as Jaroon is quite powerful. Then she finds herself pregnant and has Seetha. All of a sudden things turn upside down and Neela is scared for herself and Seetha. What follows is a harrowing journey to find her way back home to Marasaw. As seen in the prologue we know that eventually Jaroon finds the best way to destroy Neela.
I liked Neela as a character from the beginning even when she wasn’t acting very nice. I could feel her pain of not feeling like she belonged anywhere and her hopes for a better future. Back in Marasaw, Neela goes through many an emotional time. She meets back up with her friend Lenda and learns how much she hurt her with her actions. She also realizes the importance of family as her grandmother has left to live with Neela’s mother. Neela, who had a love of writing even as a youngster, takes to writing long letters to her grandmother but never sends them anywhere. She realizes now that she really didn’t have the right stuff, magic or otherwise, to be able to take care of herself in the bush.
I think these letters are what really endear us to Neela’s character. They show her in a real and unflinching way and along with Neela’s own thoughts throughout, the author really manages to pull you along in the emotional rollercoaster that is Neela’s life. When contacted and told about Neela’s baby being kidnapped Navi comes to try to help. Neela strikes out at first believing she really doesn’t deserve his help after how she’s been toward him. An incident in which she wished him dead when they were young has stuck with both of them throughout the years. However, he goes above and beyond to help her and what really shines through that is that the love of family is there, even if buried deep for a long time.
Along with the main characters I have to say that the author, Andrea Gunraj, has a way with introducing new characters and drawing us into them immediately, making us feel as though they’ve been there forever. One such character was Baby and her daughter Sally. I automatically liked Baby and was concerned with what was going to happen to her. Granny was another great character~she’s funny and set in her ways and you’re just drawn to whatever it is she may say next.
The novel is beautifully written. The language used by the main characters took a bit of getting used to for me but not too long and once I did, I really loved it. Andrea Gunraj’s descriptive and lyrical writing drew me in…
- ‘treetops melted into a seamless layer of green fluff, weighty yet feathered; slithering brown rivers broke through the tree cover like hairline fractures.’ (pg 118, The Sudden Disappearance of Seetha)
Once I picked up this novel I could not put it down. I really look forward to more from Andrea Gunraj. If this is her debut, then we’re in for a treat with this author. This book was released by Knopf Canada in hardcover on January 27, 2009. This novel really does have it all~families, friendships, hardships, a litte magical quality, and most of all, enduring love. Please visit Andrea Gunraj’s website here.
Pop back here tomorrow as I’m going to post a giveaway for my gently read copy of this wonderful novel and a new copy. I’d would definitely recommend it!
Sounds wonderful – I’ll be looking for your giveaway.
this does sound really good, great review.
its always wonderful to find a book that you are unable to put down.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
This looks good–I’ll check back for the giveaway and will try to check it out.
“I could not put it down.” That statement does me in everytime! 🙂
Sounds really good.
I gave you an award, stop by and check it out 🙂
This one sounds awesome. I’ll have to add it to the TBR list. Great review!
I love the New Faces of Fiction. It’s always fun to discover new authors. I enjoyed your review!
Great review! This sounds good!
This book sounds like a good read. Super review!
This sounds seriously intense! Great review, Dar!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, I definitely want to read it!
This sounds like a fantastic read!! Excellent job with the review and you know I’ll be back tomorrow!!
I love finding a new author that other’s rave about. I’ll be back tomorrow to enter the drawing. YAY!
Wonderful review Dar. This one is on my TBR.
Great review – you find such brilliant books.
You have won an award over at my place. It is up to you if you pass it on or not. It is my first so I got a bit excited! Have a fab day.
Lovely descriptions! Love when an author is talented enough to take you right to the setting 🙂
This book sounds really interesting – I love reading something you just can’t put down!
Sounds like a great book with some interesting characters and an intriguing plot. You can bet I’m rushing to your giveaway post right now! 🙂
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Now you know after a review like that I’m just going to have to put this one on my tbr list, thanks Dar!
Interesting review…. Please enter me in your giveaway. Thank you!!
cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com
Thanks everyone for your comments on this book. I really did enjoy it. Make sure to pop by my blog for a chance to win a copy if you didn’t already.
great review for another book I have not heard of. I love these Canadian publishers and the books they find. I can’t wait to check out the giveaway!
Serena, there are a lot of great Canadian authors. I really love to discover their work.