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The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey & Giveaway (US only)

August 22, 2013 by Darlene

dictionary

The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey which just released on Tuesday is a perfect example of a book I chose first because of its cover which I think is beautiful but it’s what is between the covers of this book that the true gem lies. This story at turns broke my heart and made me smile and I know I won’t soon forget it.

It is 1930 and a great ocean wave completely destroys the Bengali village where the young Pom once lived and she’s left an orphan with no where to go. After a few harrowing encounters she ends up at the Lockwood School where she is promptly renamed Sarah and put to work as a servant. The only saving grace being at this school is a well-to-do girl from her past is also attending and they become close. The thing about Sarah though is she wants to read more than anything and sets about to teach herself and does a great job too by reading the dictionary and listening very closely to one of the favorite teachers at the school. For Sarah words are one thing that can never be taken away from her. Unfortunately Sarah’s time at the school comes to an end when she’s accused of something she didn’t do and she sets off on her own.

It is then that she meets Bonnie and is lured because of her naivete and desperation into working as a prostitute in what would be considered a reputable house. It is there she becomes Miss Pamela but she knows this life is not one she can live. It goes against everything she believes in and when the situation becomes unbearable she once again runs. She ends up in Calcutta and it is here her life really changes when she meets Simon Lewis and begins working for him organizing his library which is a dream job for her given her love of books. A romance eventually blooms and it seems that Kamala, the name she now goes by, may just have the life she dreamed of. Yet the dark clouds once again descend on Kamala.

This novel encompasses so many things including the war and politics where Kamala actually becomes a freedom fighter. For me that was my least favorite part. I was more interested in Kamala and the journey her life took. Coming from such a small island she was a very naive girl in the beginning and her upbringing taught her to be seen and not heard. It lent to causing her many problems throughout the years. I admired her though for her yearning to learn and her determination to make a better life for herself.

The novel itself is beautifully written and the author brings this time in history alive – so much so that many times I felt as though I was there living and breathing the same air as her characters. For those who enjoy reading novels descriptive of other cultures, historical fiction, and wartime and political upheaval then The Sleeping Dictionary is one you should try! I really enjoyed this one!

Sujata’s website, Facebook, and Goodreads

Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one copy of The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • Leave a comment for 1 entry.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog about this giveaway for 2 extra entries.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on September 5/13.  Good luck!

 

Source:  Review copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own. 

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Filed Under: 2013 - 100+ Books, 2013 ARC's, 2013 Book Reviews, 2013 eBooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Harvee @ Book Dilettante says

    August 22, 2013 at 1:26 am

    This book is on my wish list, so I’d love to win it.

    harvee444@yahoo.com

  2. Harvee @ Book Dilettante says

    August 22, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Sorry, the corect email is

    harvee44@yahoo.com

  3. Melissa says

    August 22, 2013 at 4:21 am

    Would love a copy of this book!!

  4. Kirsten McElroy says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:53 am

    I’ve been wanting to read this book!! I’ve also shared it on FB for an extra entry.

    Thank you so much for the generous giveaway!!

  5. Charlotte says

    August 22, 2013 at 7:04 am

    Thank you for the give away of this book, sounds like a good one.

  6. Anne says

    August 22, 2013 at 7:28 am

    Thanks for this lovely giveaway.

  7. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:45 am

    This is just the kind of book I love! I can see why you chose it because of the cover.

  8. ellie says

    August 22, 2013 at 9:23 am

    I am captivated with this wonderful novel. Many thanks.

  9. Maxie Anderson says

    August 22, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Please put my name in the drawing. It sounds like a different kind of book but interesting. Thanks! I have also shared it on my Facebook page for another entry.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

  10. JJT says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:05 am

    Would love to have a copy of the book to read. I have tweeted @readsalways. https://twitter.com/readsalways/status/370577248715165697

  11. Colleen Turner says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:09 am

    This book sounds magical! What a journey the main character goes on, one that sounds just so poignant and inspirational. Thanks for the review and giveaway!

  12. Colleen Turner says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:10 am

    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/candc320/status/370578289187778560.

  13. Margie says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:12 am

    This sounds like a great book. I always enjoy stories set in other countries.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  14. Diane Castiglione says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:15 am

    This book sounded wonderful. Would love to
    win it. Thank you for a great review.
    I tweeted it and liked on Face book.

  15. rhonda says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:17 am

    Thanks for review lomazowr@gmail.com.

  16. rhonda says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Twitter follower@Rhondareads will tweet

  17. Diane says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:35 am

    What a beautiful novel. Thanks.

  18. Carl says

    August 22, 2013 at 11:34 am

    That sounds excellent, such a great escape from ordinary life. I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/370599338398846976

    Thanks again

  19. Deborah/TheBookishDame says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:00 pm

    This one is on my to-review list. Great that you loved it! Inspired me! :]

  20. Britney Adams says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    What a beautiful review! I would love to win this novel! Thank you for the opportunity!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

  21. Angela says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    What a wonderfully written review! This book sounds beautiful and I’d love to read it. Thank you for the opportunity! 🙂

  22. Kim@Time2Read says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    You are right about the cover…it is beautiful! The story sounds like a good one, too! Thanks for the chance to win it!

    • Kim@Time2Read says

      August 23, 2013 at 4:35 pm

      I listed this on my blog today.
      http://mytime2read.blogspot.com/2013/08/giveaway-friday-august-23.html

  23. Melanie Backus says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    This sounds like a winner and I would love to win this book. Thank you for the chance.

  24. kimbacaffeinate says

    August 22, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    I love the setting, and it sounds like the author did a stand-up job in unfolding the tale and fleshing out the characters. I think this is something I would enjoy, so I’ve added it to my wishlist 🙂

  25. Lisa Garrett says

    August 22, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    I love novels set in this era.

  26. Lisa Garrett says

    August 22, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/370662508488433664

  27. Suko says

    August 22, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    This sounds like my kind of book! Please enter me in the giveaway. I will post it in my blog’s sidebar to share with my readers. Thanks!!

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  28. Michelle James says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    The cover is beautiful, but your description of the story is what really draws me to this book.

  29. Michelle James says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    I tweeted this giveaway.

  30. Judie McDonald says

    August 22, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    Sounds like an interesting and bitter sweet story.

  31. kathleen bianchi says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    I like learning about different cultures and always enjoy historical fiction. The cover is gorgeous. I tweeted.
    ..
    The Sleeping Dictionary by Sujata Massey & Giveaway (US only)

    Kathleen.bianchi@ymail.com

  32. vvb says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Sounds like a good one!

  33. vvb says

    August 23, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    also, tweeted 😉

  34. Terry Martini says

    August 24, 2013 at 11:33 am

    You have certainly peaked my interest in this book. I would love to win a copy

  35. Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) says

    August 25, 2013 at 11:53 am

    Thanks for bringing this one to my attention. It sounds fantastic, and glad to hear it’s as wonderful as its cover. 😉

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  36. Lisa says

    August 26, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    This one’s new to me but if it can make you smile, break your heart and it’s set in the Bengal region it’s definitely one I’m going to be reading!

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