tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710701317644229472.post6572421330387817466..comments2012-09-28T12:21:11.807+01:00Comments on From the Writing Room: The Writing Room Bursary: Part OneRosie, The Writing Roomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07144007429642493069noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710701317644229472.post-57782940694886546422012-03-30T21:11:42.535+01:002012-03-30T21:11:42.535+01:00Hi Saudha – many congratulations. This is great wr...Hi Saudha – many congratulations. This is great writing and a fascinating opening. The prologue is stunning. ‘Vending’ puzzled me at first but I really like the sound it makes and the images of the opening section which flash past like those streetlights. Licking the walls is just unforgettable.<br />I like the Dubai trip too for the cultural insights although wasn’t so comfortable with it told as a flashback which I think detracts from the immediacy. <br /> My only other problem is that there is a complex cultural background here which will be unfamiliar to many. You might have to be careful not to introduce too many people at the beginning. I’m thinking of the paragraph about Tabassum and Jahannara. If we need the family details maybe they could be saved for later?<br />But really, I am just nit-picking. This is distinctive and all the characters are convincing. I want to know what the future holds for Shameem. Looks like a great winner which will hopefully go all the way for you. Very best wishes.<br />AliB<br />http://debutnovelist.wordpress.comAliBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09611113709872287863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710701317644229472.post-82956569802637074192012-03-29T11:59:14.875+01:002012-03-29T11:59:14.875+01:00Awesome Saudha! Shameem is very interesting and wo...Awesome Saudha! Shameem is very interesting and would love to read more!<br />All the best,<br />Jayanti.Jayantihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08513442096369695242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3710701317644229472.post-79303346200411857722012-03-28T20:35:33.307+01:002012-03-28T20:35:33.307+01:00Saudha this is beautiful. Captivating from the fir...Saudha this is beautiful. Captivating from the first sentance to the last. The voice is so right it's instantly comfortable, like an old friend reading a story from a big old comfy chair by the fireplace. I love the fact that there is an immediate relationship with Shameen, a real curiousity about where she's going to go and how she's going to get there. The imagery, sometimes subtle and sometimes wonderfully in your face creates a fabulous sense of place, a looking glass into another culture, a different world. I also really like the fact that Shameen, whilst undoubtedly intriguing, doesn't entirely steal the show, the remainder of the family are all worthy and wonderfully interesting too. Not a direct comparison at all but your introduction reminds me of Half of a Yellow Sun, - obviously it's not as harrowing - but that direct access into a different way of life from such an inclusive and welcoming perspective was a tool that worked really well in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel. I'm not in the least surprised that this has been chosen for review. As a reader I was hooked from the start and would probably find the novel hard to put down. The mystery, the calmness balanced against the hint of complexity ahead and the undercurrent of sarcasm is utterly compelling. Thanks for sharing, the very best of luck with it. I very much look forward to picking it up from a book store one day! <br />Hope this is useful!<br />Margotmj mccuaighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18446351344112962356noreply@blogger.com