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L'atlas Des Inconnus (2000)

by Tania James(Favorite Author)

3.62 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

2234063965 (ISBN13: 9782234063969)

languge

English

genre

Fiction

review 1: One review of this book rates the author as a "natural story-teller", and she is. This is an incredible story about 2 sisters in India. One (the younger, Anju) wins a place in an American school due to her artistic "gift", and here is where our story begins ... for the sister who remains in India (the older, Linno) possesses the gift ascribed to her sister. I can't remember the last time I read a book that managed to pack so many sub-plots BEAUTIFULLY into an overall story ... it is simply superb, and one of the best books I have ever read. If you have a sister, have lost a sister, wish you had a sister or simply understand the indefinable bond between sisters, read this book. Superb.
review 2: This book required a second start, possibly because of unusual... more character names and unfamiliar culture, but I soon found it a read I could hardly put down.The novel had so many facets--like intricate weavings of a beautiful sari. I was impressed with how the writer kept hold of all the right threads, never crossing them up (at least as far as I could tell) and tied them all together at the end. However, one character named Abraham confused me with his two last names: Saar and Chandy. Yes, he was the same person, and if duplicate last names was purposeful, I just didn't get it.The story of two loving sisters from India, one who betrayed the other in order to win a scholarship to an exclusive school in New York City, was most compelling. The complications, close calls, and 'what ifs' that could have solved their dilemma kept the conflict going. However, I felt part of the story was overly drawn out between the younger sister's disappearance in NYC and the final conclusion which occurred on just one page.The story and secrets of the sisters, Linno and Anju, were only a part of the multiple plots that kept opening up like layered petals of a rose. At the end, I felt satisfied that most of the conflicts and secrets were resolved. One tantalizing mystery was the true story of their mother's death--accident or suicide. However, I felt that one NYC character, Bird (an older emigrant from India) was left holding an empty bag, but it was possibly her just desserts for holding onto a secret a little too long.The writing was fluid, a story well-told (albeit a tad too long), and metaphors were sterling quality. They were never strained, just punctuated the action with exact comparisons. A few examples: "Ammachi mashed a kiss into Anju's cheek, crying, clutching her granddaughter's face as though she planned to pluck it off as a memento."... "The photo features a bored-looking boy in cap and gown, holding his diploma as he would a lunch tray." ... "Anju's two suitcases are awaiting her in the guest room, an awkward pair of plastic visitors in the pulled-silk surroundings."Characters and their names were all distinguishable as flawed individuals with their own failings, conflicts, secrets, and successes. The settings were well-described,sensory backgrounds for the action; from noisy, bustling NYC to quieter, dusty rural Kerala, India. From majestic hotels and homes of the wealthy to crowded shops with dirty floors where immigrants worked. less

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