Water

by Bapsi Sidhwa

Book Overview

An eight-year-old is sent to live in a community of widows in India, and finds a new purpose there, in a novel by "a writer of enormous talent" (Newsday).

Set in 1938, against the backdrop of Gandhi's rise to power, Water follows the life of eight-year-old Chuyia, abandoned at a widow's ashram after the death of her elderly husband. There, she must live in penitence until her death. Unwilling to accept her fate, she becomes...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571310568
• ISBN13: 9781571310569
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Bapsi Sidwha never lets me down!

I love this author and this book, albeit from a movie screenplay, doesn't fail. It is a great story that holds your interest straight through until the last page. I guess that I should not reveal the ending. The loss of childhood innocence and the helpless existence of pre-Ghandian India for widows no matter the age, creates the background for this novel. You can try all you want but there is no way to identify with the main character even though personally I am a widow. It astounds me throughout the reading that some women even could adapt to this ashram and it's grotesque "leader" but without a doubt this is what happens in many places of the world, even today. Another great read from a favorite author. The One Eyed Turtle

Water: A novel by Bapsi Sidwha

I read this book within a book club having never heard of it before. We also watched a film of the book. I enjoyed them both. It is an excellent novel drawing me into 1947 India and the struggle between the caste system and the forces of change unleased by Gandhi and the pending withdrawal of the British. It gave a sympathetic view of the difficulties for widows during this period and had a strong plot. I particularly enjoyed the way the different characters were drawn together at the end.

Water - A recommended read

This book was a sad surprise. A page turner that opens the reader's eyes to a culture so different it is unthinkable. A story that touches your heart. Well written.

good easy read

Having waded thru God of Small Things last year I expected this book to be much harder to read. It is obviously written for the American audience hence not so many 'foreign' terms and customs or words. Very interesting look into another culture. I am planning a trip to India next year so am trying to learn what I can. I read this book in 3 days and am sure laying around on summer days you could finish it faster. Fun read.