Book Review

Title: A Map of the World
Author: Jane Hamilton
Call no and item no: F HAM / 1000808171


As a young child coping with the loss of her mother, Alice Goodheart used to lock herself in her room and draw intricate maps of the world. Fast forward many years later and now she is married and a mother of two, leading a seemingly idyllic life in a Wisconsin farm. But when she accidentally causes the death of a friend’s child and is accused of sexually abusing a young student, the security and routine she thought she had built came crumbling down. Jane Hamilton’s novel, while seemingly tedious to plod through at first, is a worthwhile read about the human struggle to rise after being yanked under the water

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Title: House of Sand and Fog
Author: Andre Dubus III
Call no and item no: F DUB / 1000808155



Colonel Massoud Behrani commanded fear and respect under the regime of the Shah of Iran pre-Islamic Revolution, but now as a refugee in the United States he is reduced to collecting garbage by day and manning a store by night. He cannot believe his luck when he stumbles upon an auctioned house well below market price and purchases it in an attempt to recover his wealth and dignity. It seems a wise purchase but Kathy Nicolo, the troubled former owner of the house, tries to wrestle the house from Mr. Behrani, with the help of her policeman lover. What ensues is a painful struggle based on racism and misunderstanding which culminates in a dark ending. Dubus’ novel is a gripping read on not just the fight for a house but also for dignity in multiracial United States.

Title: Saving Fish from Drowning
Author: Amy Tan
Call no and item no: F TAN / 1000511390



Art collector Bibi Chen is wry, eccentric and leads a group of well-heeled American friends on a trip to the Burmese jungles - except that she is dead. Murdered under dubious circumstances two weeks prior the trip, she invisibly guides the group – which includes an epileptic official tour head and a celebrity dog trainer - even as they fall into the misadventure of being kidnapped by the Karen tribe. Priding herself on good taste and strong opinions, she narrates their journey in a wry, humorous voice. As the story progresses, we also learn about Bibi’s early life as a rich but lonely child escaping World War II Shanghai, her rise to the New York social scene and later, the truth about her death. Don’t let the thickness of the book fool you – this is a hilarious yet touching read.


(Images: Amazon)

By: Mohani Niza (26.10.10)