About the book:
Title: The color of Our Sky
Published by: BloomHill Books
Published on: June 30th, 2015
Pages: 318
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Blurb: A sweeping, emotional journey of two childhood friends—one struggling to survive the human slave trade and the other on a mission to save her—two girls whose lives converge only to change one fateful night in 1993.
India, 1986: Mukta, a ten-year-old girl from the lower caste Yellamma cult of temple prostitutes has come of age to fulfill her destiny of becoming a temple prostitute. In an attempt to escape this legacy that binds her, Mukta is transported to a foster family in Bombay. There she discovers a friend in the high spirited eight-year-old Tara, the tomboyish daughter of the family, who helps her recover from the wounds of her past. Tara introduces Mukta to a different world—ice cream and sweets, poems and stories, and a friendship the likes of which she has never experienced before.As time goes by, their bond grows to be as strong as that between sisters. In 1993, Mukta is kidnapped from Tara’s room.
Eleven years later, Tara who blames herself for what happened, embarks on an emotional journey to search for the kidnapped Mukta only to uncover long buried secrets in her own family.
Moving from a remote village in India to the bustling metropolis of Bombay, to Los Angeles and back again, amidst the brutal world of human trafficking, this is a heartbreaking and beautiful portrait of an unlikely friendship—a story of love, betrayal, and redemption—which ultimately withstands the true test of time.
India, 1986: Mukta, a ten-year-old girl from the lower caste Yellamma cult of temple prostitutes has come of age to fulfill her destiny of becoming a temple prostitute. In an attempt to escape this legacy that binds her, Mukta is transported to a foster family in Bombay. There she discovers a friend in the high spirited eight-year-old Tara, the tomboyish daughter of the family, who helps her recover from the wounds of her past. Tara introduces Mukta to a different world—ice cream and sweets, poems and stories, and a friendship the likes of which she has never experienced before.As time goes by, their bond grows to be as strong as that between sisters. In 1993, Mukta is kidnapped from Tara’s room.
Eleven years later, Tara who blames herself for what happened, embarks on an emotional journey to search for the kidnapped Mukta only to uncover long buried secrets in her own family.
Moving from a remote village in India to the bustling metropolis of Bombay, to Los Angeles and back again, amidst the brutal world of human trafficking, this is a heartbreaking and beautiful portrait of an unlikely friendship—a story of love, betrayal, and redemption—which ultimately withstands the true test of time.
About the author
Amita Trasi was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She has an MBA in Human Resource Management, and currently lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and two cats. This is her first novel. Visit her website at www.amitatrasi.com
Find the author here:
Email:
Social media:
My Review:
Some stories are meant to shake you to the core by their very intent- with their haunting projection of the reality and inexplicable charm!
Welcome to Tara's and Mukta's life, as they recount the moments of childhood, the social order of the society and most importantly being together.
Tara blames herself for Mukta's kidnapping years ago. She has now returned from the US to India, with the determination to find Mukta.
Mukta is born to a temple prostitute, the product of a sick tradition that continues unabated till date, and forms a major part of the novel. Tara is our regular school-going kid who is fortunate enough to be able to attend school, and spend time in the lap of her father, who is clearly a role model to her.
A poignant angle has been set- India in all its dichotomy is the backdrop to the brutalities inflicted by fate, the indifference in flesh trade and the compassion that can save lives.
Tara's father is the ideal altruist, volunteering actively to rescue kids from the murk they'd otherwise end up in, and bringing kids home to provide them temporary shelter. All is well until he brings Mukta, this time for ever. While the permanence of her stay is a major bother to the mother, who is ready to forgive her husband for everything, Mukta has issues of her own. She has seen her mother die in front of her. She is in a foreign land, with no one ready to accept her as her own. It is an identity crisis, but it is a lot more than just that. She is trying to convince herself that she deserves to live after all.
The narration alternates between our two protagonists and it is reminiscent in its element. It is clear that the author is concerned with deeper discussions - some soul-searching, and contemplation of the atrocities of fate, and so beautifully manages to capture this throughout the story.
It is a commentary, of the superlative degree, on the frailities and fallibility of human nature. Interspersed with quotes like,"The only way we can rectify our mistakes is to try and undo the wrong we have done", it is undoubtedly some epic food for thought. Truths are revealed, and it is so heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time to see how everyone copes with the lies they had been living. It is the story of not giving up, forgiving, moving on, finding a better purpose to life, being the better person, learning courage and fortitude.
The appeal of the plot is not just this message and the moral debate: it is as much in the thrill, the suspense, the flawed yet sympathetic characters, the persistent sense of loss, which is sprinkled throughout the plot. It is an intense, emotional and meticulous account- be sure you are ready for the emotional roller-coaster which will challenge your principles as you peep into the characters.
An increasingly poignant assault on the heart strings, with unprecedented lessons in family, love, redemption, forgiveness, and life, this one comes highly recommended.
Links to the book:
Quotes from the book:
Enter Giveaway (Indian residents only) below:
Win a paperback copy of The color of our sky
For more quotes, follow here:
Source of the review copy: BloomHill Books
Follow for regular reviews, author interviews and bookish love:
