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Gypsy Masala
 
 

Gypsy Masala [Kindle Edition]

Preethi Nair
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £8.99
Kindle Price: £4.49 includes VAT* & free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet
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Kindle Edition £4.49  
Paperback £6.74  

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

The subtitle of Gypsy Masala, "a book of dreams", encapsulates Preethi Nair's first novel. In a slimly elegant volume, the author manages to capture the soaring hopes and paralysing fears of human emotion. Resonant with the visceral anticipation of dread and excitement, this book appeals to the spirit of adventure.

Gypsy Masala follows the lives of 3 people--Sheila, Bali and their foster daughter, Evita. Each has their own crippling aspect. British-born Evita is stuck in a job and love life that don't inspire. Sheila, frozen by her experience of being torn from warm, passionate India to grey England. Bali, having lost not only his first child but also the woman he adored and risked everything for.

The catalyst of hope and confidence to change the character's circumstances comes in the form of the African dancer--an apparition that appears accompanied by the thumping, vital music of beating hearts. He is every aspect of being--to follow him is to follow your heart.

This is a book which at times makes you want to run out and follow your dreams, yet in the next chapter makes you realise why you haven't. Preethi Nair combines elements of the surreal and the prosaic as she details the intricate family dynamics and stomach-wrenching losses experienced by those who leap into a new world. Her idea of a gypsy masala--toss your dreams into the pan and savour the result--is a fatalistic yet exhilarating view of the world which leaves a spicy, yet sweet, aftertaste. --Sue Owen

Review

‘A witty, evocative read that’ll keep you gripped’ Company

‘She is dynamite.’ Bookseller

‘A little gem..a mystic and beautifully lyrical book’ New Woman

ACCLAIM FOR ONE HUNDRED SHADES OF WHITE:

‘An absorbing novel about mothers, daughters, food and truth.’ Closer

‘A rich, evocative tale.’ Company

"A heart-warming read about families, forgiveness, carving futures and filtering truth." Guardian

‘A great read. Fast, funny and full of life’ Shyama Perera, author of I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet

‘A genuinely moving novel…like the bottled spices that play such a role in the story, this has all its ingredients in just the right quantities to spirit away all negative emotions.’ Daily Express

‘She writes evocatively about childhood and there are passages of tight and lyrical immediacy…Moving description packs a powerful punch in this book about family, forgiveness and the power of truth.’ Guardian

MORE PRAISE FOR ONE HUNDRED SHADES OF WHITE

‘A carefully woven tale that’s exceedingly good’ Company

‘A luscious book, made lush with spices. Kindnesses and friendships abound, but so do hardships and hard knocks’ Oxford Times

‘A dynamic author.’ Good Housekeeping

‘A sensuous and poignant novel…enchanting.’ Sainsbury’s magazine


Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 231 KB
  • Print Length: 228 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins (17 Jun 2010)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language English
  • ASIN: B003TSE8E4
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #174,770 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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More About the Author

Preethi Nair
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Customer Reviews

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
incredible 6 Jun 2005
Format:Paperback
a work of an incredibly high quality of style, imagination and heart. A spine tingling moving book which I read after being so impressed with 1000 shades of white which also blew me away. This is more spiritual and fantastic than the other but just as evocative. Rather than reading it at 1000miles an hour to find out what happens you savour every line like the finest cuisine that you have luckily found upon your plate. I cannot wait to read more from this author who manages to expresses modern Englands mixed culture as a wonderfully positive thing rather than the usual gloomy outlook.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Dreams & Aspirations 28 Nov 2003
Format:Paperback
I could not put this book down. It inspired me so much that I gave up my job of 11 years to 'follow my African Dancer' and went travelling around the world for 7 months. Preethi is simply a breath of fresh air and anyone needing inspiration to move on in life, then read this with passport to freedom in hand! I look forward to all her future work. Wonderful!
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
After a surreal start, the book settles down to tell the interwoven tales of each of the three main characters. As your eyes are gradually opened to the past of each - via some touching, colourful and humourous writing - you discover that there is far more to each of the trio than meets the eye, and you can't help but warm to them. I loved this book - its spirit and compassion will touch you on the most miserable journey to work. In fact, I've been so inspired by the African Dancer that I've just quit my job so I can do all the things I've always meant to do!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gypsy Masala
Most enjoyable book. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always interesting and finishing in a very satisfying way.
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by G. Macpherson
What if one day you decided to just follow your heart and your dreams?
A beautifully written, charming story, where fairy tale elements blend seamlessly with the characters' biographies, make for a touching account of how our past and our family help... Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2006 by maria1971
A truely magical book - a definite must read
One of the most magical books I have ever read. I was very moved by the story and the way it was narrated. I felt a real empathy with the characters. Read more
Published on 28 July 2000
A great read as a novel but even greater as an inspiration
I have read many 'first novels', but never one with the maturity, wisdom and sheer readability of Gypsy Masala. It inspires you too, to follow your dream. Read more
Published on 19 May 2000
A must for all who Hope & Dream
This captivating story of Sheila, Bali & Evita carries you along on waves of hilarity and tragedy. Read more
Published on 1 May 2000 by marianfarry@hotmail.com
Something for everyone
This book gets better the deeper you get into it, definitely worth pursuing. There is something of all of us in the book too, restlessness and the desire for more. Read more
Published on 27 April 2000 by lara@polesworth99.freeserve.co.uk
A litle inspirational gift with a big message ..
This book is woven in such a beautiful way. So very simple in it's message, yet holds such depth. It makes you laugh and cry at the same time. Read more
Published on 17 April 2000 by avniradia@hotmail.com
A delightful and intriguing read
I found Gypsy Masala a delightful and intriguing read. The dynamics of the three main characters is cleverly told in their own individual narrative. Read more
Published on 9 April 2000
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Popular Highlights

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&quote;
When you are unsure of what to do, just be still and listen in here, &quote;
Highlighted by 3 Kindle users
&quote;
Do not stand in your own way by having a fixed set of outcomes, for there is beauty in the adventure of not knowingof not being certain. &quote;
Highlighted by 3 Kindle users
&quote;
I will also tell you another thing about the magic of hopes and dreams: at any point along a journey, the day you decide to take back responsibility for your actions and put your trust and faith not in fear but back in yourself, those hopes and dreams will come flooding back and the belief and the energy that charges them will take them forward to a place that is home. &quote;
Highlighted by 3 Kindle users

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