One Hundred Shades of White

by PreethiNair (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  2003

  $3.40

  A magical mixture of East meets West, mothers in conflict with daughters, and the healing power of food. 'I cannot easily put into words why I told my children their father had died. What was I supposed to tell them? The truth? ''Monu, Mol, your father has had enough of responsibility, he has another family, he's gone, left us.'' Maybe there are one hundred shades for explaining truth, a spectrum from light to dark, depending on the vulnerability of those who have to hear it. Things are not always clear cut, they are not either black or white, life just isn't like that.' Nalini and her two young children are transplanted from luxury in India to the bewildering confusion of London, only to be abandoned by her negligent husband. At first survival is a struggle, but Nalini turns to what she does best: cooking. Her mouthwatering pickles bring financial stability and domestic happiness, as well as affecting everyone who tastes them. Everyone, that is, except for her daughter, Maya. Maya loves fish fingers, burgers and chips. She's not interested in her history; that died with her father. Resisting the pull of her family, she follows her own chaotic journey which will take her back to India before she can face the truth about her parents, forgive them and herself - and admit that lime pickle is delicious, after all.

• Used

  Paperback
  2010

  $4.29

  A magical mixture of East meets West, and mothers in conflict with daughters - for anyone who enjoyed 'Bend it like Beckham' but prefers food to football...There's East. There's West. And then there's Maya...Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya's father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land. Maya, though, doesn't know of her father's betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children's pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home - the unfamiliar food, the language, the music - and then to explore and make bold plans, plans that her mother does not understand. But even a white lie cannot remain hidden forever - and when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything...

• New

  Paperback
  2010

  $15.46

  A magical mixture of East meets West, and mothers in conflict with daughters - for anyone who enjoyed 'Bend it like Beckham' but prefers food to football...There's East. There's West. And then there's Maya...Maya, her mother Nalini, and her brother Satchin have left a carefree life in India to come to England. But when Maya's father disappears, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land. Maya, though, doesn't know of her father's betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children's pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home - the unfamiliar food, the language, the music - and then to explore and make bold plans, plans that her mother does not understand. But even a white lie cannot remain hidden forever - and when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything...