What do you think?
Rate this book
Sisters of the Sari
A debut novel about an American woman and an Indian woman who are about to dramatically change each other's lives-along with the lives of those around them. While vacationing in India, Kiria Langdon, the opinionated and driven CEO of a major company, meets Santoshi, a former slave who now works as a cleaning lady and lives in a shelter for homeless women in Chennai. Appalled by the conditions in the shelter, Kiria becomes obsessed with the idea of building decent housing for poor working women in India. Santoshi reluctantly agrees to help, even though she thinks Kiria's ideas are too crazy to succeed. Embarking on a rich journey of personal discovery, both women will learn invaluable lessons about themselves as they forge a powerful bond of sisterhood across the barriers of language and culture-a bond that makes anything possible.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2011
21 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 10, 2011
Brenda L. Baker is going to become one of my new favorite authors. Sisters of the Sari is a very compelling book that takes the reader on an amazing journey. Almost every societal ill is discussed in this novel and Baker brings them to light pointedly and honestly. This book will make you cry...it will make you angry...and it will definitely make you laugh. Kiria, Santoshi, and Mary Elizabeth are very well developed characters that make you love them as they love each other. Ultimately, this book is worth reading and I wouldn't be surprised if it makes a bestseller list.
April 15, 2011
The cover attracted me first, the bangle bracelets in gold and pink against a multicolored background lured in me in. Then I noticed the title and wanted to read it. The story inside is as good as the beautiful cover. It is difficult to find books about someone in my age group (the first of the baby boomers) so I thrilled with the main characters. In fact I identified with her right away. Kiria Langdon, a CEO of big company wanted to have a non touristy vacation. I agree with her that there are just so many temple that you can see. For me, it was missions in California.
Kiria had a chance meeting with Santosi, a homeless woman living in a temporary shelter. She knew how the streets worked. The author switched back and forth from 1st person to third person effortlessly. Through Kiria,I could see the vermin filled shelter, smell the highly spiced food, hear noises of the crowds in the street and feel the sadness, hopelessness of the poor women caught up in the caste and social levels of India. I really
felt that I was in India.
Besides giving us the experience of being these, Brenda
L. Baker brings us into the many problems and delights of the culture. One of the latter was the sari. Now I feel like I want a sari! There are several personal stories going at the same time. Kiria's experiences as a
abused wife, her secret exposed, her friendships on different levels with the women and difficulties of learning a language.
There are so many surprises that I could tell you about but you can discover them for yourself. Brenda L. Baker is a wonderful story teller, mixing some of her personal experiences with fiction and knowlege of Indian culture.
I did not want to stop reading this book.
I recommend it to all women and to men who want to understand women, those who want to step inside Indian culture and those want to venture to a different place.
I received this book from GoodReads but that in no way influences my review. My thoughts are my own.
Kiria had a chance meeting with Santosi, a homeless woman living in a temporary shelter. She knew how the streets worked. The author switched back and forth from 1st person to third person effortlessly. Through Kiria,I could see the vermin filled shelter, smell the highly spiced food, hear noises of the crowds in the street and feel the sadness, hopelessness of the poor women caught up in the caste and social levels of India. I really
felt that I was in India.
Besides giving us the experience of being these, Brenda
L. Baker brings us into the many problems and delights of the culture. One of the latter was the sari. Now I feel like I want a sari! There are several personal stories going at the same time. Kiria's experiences as a
abused wife, her secret exposed, her friendships on different levels with the women and difficulties of learning a language.
There are so many surprises that I could tell you about but you can discover them for yourself. Brenda L. Baker is a wonderful story teller, mixing some of her personal experiences with fiction and knowlege of Indian culture.
I did not want to stop reading this book.
I recommend it to all women and to men who want to understand women, those who want to step inside Indian culture and those want to venture to a different place.
I received this book from GoodReads but that in no way influences my review. My thoughts are my own.
April 11, 2011
I really enjoyed this UCP which I received as a Goodreads giveaway. Baker's tale of Kiria Langdon, a middle aged female CEO who travels from her home in Canada, to India for what she had planned as a simple vacation, had me entranced from the first paragraph. The vibrant colors, sounds, smells and dialects of India were successfully portrayed with each situation that Kiria encountered.
The character's observations and impressions were poignant and often humorous. The developing relationships between Kiria, Santoshi, and Mary Elizabeth drove the story and kept my attention and interest throughout the story. Addressing the issues of women's rights, arranged marriage, dowries, adoption, and homelessness could have made the tone of the book dark or heavy, but the characters were so well crafted that the issues were woven in the story with no hint of lecturing or sermonizing.
I was so captivated that I read the book in just two days, and was sad to leave the characters behind when I finished.
The character's observations and impressions were poignant and often humorous. The developing relationships between Kiria, Santoshi, and Mary Elizabeth drove the story and kept my attention and interest throughout the story. Addressing the issues of women's rights, arranged marriage, dowries, adoption, and homelessness could have made the tone of the book dark or heavy, but the characters were so well crafted that the issues were woven in the story with no hint of lecturing or sermonizing.
I was so captivated that I read the book in just two days, and was sad to leave the characters behind when I finished.
May 4, 2013
This book is a sleeper. I picked it in a bargain section and then could not put it down! It was an easy read although it had a intricate plot and many characters.I enjoyed the well developed characters in the book, which featured many women.The story was set in Chennai in India and the main character was a successful middle aged woman , an American who went on a trip to India and because of one incident that happened to her when she first arrived, she became enmeshed in the lives of the people she met.Sisters of the Sari is essentially about female empowerment and female betterment but there was humour throughout the book . Very good read!
April 16, 2011
Excellent book. I felt like I was talking with an old friend as I was reading it because of the way the author starts each chapter with a pearl of wisdom hidden inside a joke. The idea is compelling and I'm sure something we've all thought at one time or another reading or watching the poverty in another country and wanted to help. The story of Kiria, Santoshi, Mary Elizabeth, Raj, Laxmi and all the others is one that should happen more often!
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs uplifting or wants to know more about another culture.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs uplifting or wants to know more about another culture.
January 22, 2019
This book reads in the beginning like someone airing their grievances about their trip to India, but ends with a heartwarming story of an unexpected family growing across cultures and countries.
May 28, 2011
Kiria knew that if she was going to vacation in India that she would not go to any of the most popular places. She would go to the southern area of India. Kiria soon realized that she was out of her element. Lucky for her that Santoshi was there to help her. When Kiria learns where Santoshi lives, she comes up with the idea of building a hotel for independent, women like Santoshi. Will Kiria achieve her goal or will the hotel go crumbling down before it is even started?
I liked the ethnic feel to the story. I did get a real good outlook of India and all the interesting people that Kiria met there. Kiria was a very personable character. Here she was a wealthy woman that entered another country. She could have flaunted her money around but she didn’t. She was frugal with her money expect where the women’s hostel was involved. While, I did enjoy Kiria and the location, other than this two things and Santoshi, I would not have kept reading this book. I did not find the other characters as interesting. Sisters of the Sari had charm.
I liked the ethnic feel to the story. I did get a real good outlook of India and all the interesting people that Kiria met there. Kiria was a very personable character. Here she was a wealthy woman that entered another country. She could have flaunted her money around but she didn’t. She was frugal with her money expect where the women’s hostel was involved. While, I did enjoy Kiria and the location, other than this two things and Santoshi, I would not have kept reading this book. I did not find the other characters as interesting. Sisters of the Sari had charm.
May 25, 2011
This is one of those books that I just can't recommend enough. It's funny, touching, and has lots of drama that ties in nicely together.
Kiria is a successful American woman who is the CEO of her own company. She's very independent and does what she wants, when she wants, without a man in her life. She travels to India and finds herself touched by Santoshi, a dependent in the Indian shelter system. In a way though, both women though in very different circumstances, have a lot in common. They each take care of themselves. No one else is looking out for them. Kiria simply has the money and means to do it in a more hygienic way.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
Kiria is a successful American woman who is the CEO of her own company. She's very independent and does what she wants, when she wants, without a man in her life. She travels to India and finds herself touched by Santoshi, a dependent in the Indian shelter system. In a way though, both women though in very different circumstances, have a lot in common. They each take care of themselves. No one else is looking out for them. Kiria simply has the money and means to do it in a more hygienic way.
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2011/...
July 14, 2016
I loved this book. Absolutely one hundred percent loved it!! Ms. Baker reading your book was a joy. You had me laughing silently to myself at work. Again laughing with my friends after reading excerpts from it. This book is definitely a keeper. As an Indian, the little quirks and oddities of Indian people are both familiar and funny for me. I really liked how she approached and handled the socio economical problems seen in south India. I read that the author had spent some time in India volunteering. I believe that because she has got a lot of the minor details right. I would recommend this book to everybody.
September 25, 2020
A friend lent me this book otherwise I probably would not have picked it up. It was a pleasant surprise. This is a lovely story of a wealthy and successful American business woman who vacations alone in India. After being stranded and robbed, a kind hearted but extremely poor woman, assists her back to her hotel without expecting to ever see or hear from her again. This is their story. This book was entertaining and very revealing of the cultural differences between the two countries. I am so glad I had the opportunity to enjoy this book.
April 12, 2011
I have always had a little bit of a fascination with India, so when I won this book, I was super excited and was not at all disappointed by the story. It is filled with a fascinating cast of characters with a storyline that keeps you wanting to read more. This is one of the few books that I have read that has not only made me laugh and cry, but has made me think as well. Incredibly well researched, characters and events remain true to what I know of Indian culture.
August 19, 2013
Disclaimer - I did not finish the book.
There might be a good story buried in here but I couldn't get past the unnecessary swear words and too frequent POV changes. Find one, maybe two, points of view and develop those characters. Don't skip around from the taxi driver to the main character to the social worker to the Indian woman.
There might be a good story buried in here but I couldn't get past the unnecessary swear words and too frequent POV changes. Find one, maybe two, points of view and develop those characters. Don't skip around from the taxi driver to the main character to the social worker to the Indian woman.
December 17, 2017
How refreshing to read a book where the heroine is a middle aged woman who is strong, yet flawed, thoughtless and thoughtful, and who continues to show real growth as she ages. Brenda Baker did a fine job describing the complexities of the Indian culture as explained how the culture could deliver the simple pleasures that allow real personal growth.
July 18, 2013
A book you can get immersed in.
June 28, 2018
4.5 stars for this book because it is everything. Randomly picked this up because of the colorful cover. Wanted to explore a new genre and this didn’t disappoint at all. Baker touches upon some of the most sensitive topics related to India, among them were abuse, poverty, exploitation, feminism, social class barriers and etc. while at the same time shedding light on this American Executive who evidently has it so much better compared with those who she interacts with in India, but at the same time has experienced her fair share of abuse. What I learned from this book was that Baker is a brutally honest author. She appreciates India for what it needs to be appreciated for and she complains without sugarcoating the reality. I have so much admiration for her after reading this book. Even the new relationship between Kiria and her son who she gave up for adoption as a kid, was paced realistically. I though her bonding with her son’s husband was very endearing. Short chapters, the humor and all the connections in the story were icing on the cake. It really won me over!!
September 18, 2018
The storyline was somewhat interesting, although I'm not too familiar with the culture/setting and therefore cannot attest to accuracy. My biggest problem, and the reason for the low rating, is the quality of the writing - it just reads as very poor quality. Perhaps I'm biased having just read a fantastic book with very high quality writing (Snow Flower and the Secret Fan), but I could tell just 20 pages in that the writing in this book was not to the same caliber.
Another issue was with the personality of the main character.
Another issue was with the personality of the main character.
September 3, 2025
Kiria Langdon, an American executive on holiday in India, gets lost and is helped by Santoshi, a former slave living in Chenai. They form an unlikely alliance which becomes genuine friendship, changing each other’s lives, and the lives of many other women in the city.
In some respects, Kiria acts like the great white savior; she has difficulty understanding the cultural mores of the women she seeks to help. They, in return, have difficulty trusting her and her motives . Both sides need to find a way to recognize the other’s perspective before they can come to a true understanding.
This is a story of women coming into their own and taking charge of their own destinies.
I enjoyed the book. It’s a solid debut and I’d be interested in reading more from this author.
In some respects, Kiria acts like the great white savior; she has difficulty understanding the cultural mores of the women she seeks to help. They, in return, have difficulty trusting her and her motives . Both sides need to find a way to recognize the other’s perspective before they can come to a true understanding.
This is a story of women coming into their own and taking charge of their own destinies.
I enjoyed the book. It’s a solid debut and I’d be interested in reading more from this author.
August 14, 2017
I loved this book. From the first few pages, I was taken in. Having recently made my first trip to India, I related to the descriptions of India's extremes- its beauty, art, colors, music, vibrancy and its poverty, strict social structure, filth and dense population. The author weaves a wonderful tale of cross-cultural learning and appreciation in a realistic way. There are no false happy endings. There is real struggle. She gives you small intimate stories in a bigger picture of India's complexity. I loved India and I love this book. Great characters and a good story.
June 2, 2018
This book was quite a surprise - I must admit that I judged it by its cover. I saw it at a book sale, and thought to myself that it would be quick read that was basically fluff - but it was so much more than that. It was a quick read - because I simply couldn't put it down, but the characters were fun and engaging and it was a great trip through India where one learns that perceptions are not always correct.
January 24, 2019
An exciting read, well-written and lush with details about India and women's lives in that rich and varied country. Lots going on in the plot and very interesting to learn about characters that aren't typically in stories set in India.
June 6, 2017
Good read
I liked this book a lot when it started but began to feel like too many characters were being introduced unnecessarily. Then the end was rushed which was a bummer...
I liked this book a lot when it started but began to feel like too many characters were being introduced unnecessarily. Then the end was rushed which was a bummer...
June 22, 2017
Setting in Chennai brought it closer to home. Toe-curling moments.
July 28, 2018
This book is marvelous. Kiria goes to Chennai for a vacation, and it changes her life. She becomes involved with the women and builds a hostel for poor/single women. Kiria reunites with her son and his partner. Add a Meeta, a little girl, to the mix to round out the story.
January 24, 2019
Better than I thought it would be!
June 12, 2021
Enjoyed the story but at times the attempts at humor were a bit cringy and racist.
August 8, 2021
A great story that needed a better editor. I almost quit reading it over the constant and abrupt changes in POV, a real shame because the content and humor were really good.
November 7, 2023
Beautiful story of India and the friendship and perseverance of two women from different cultures.
September 1, 2020
I expected Sisters of the Sari to be a light rom-com but it surprised me...in a good way!
February 15, 2023
3.5...maybe 3.75? I should put 4 stars maybe? An engaging story with lots of great detail about life in India. Interesting juxtaposition of wealthy American meets the poorest of India, bonded by innate female determination and attitude.
June 23, 2011
This summer seems to have been the summer of reading in this house and I couldn't wait to read this book. In the same vein of going on a trip and having a life experience that I found in "Eat, Pray, Love," Sisters of the Sari by Brenda L. Baker is one of those books that will grab you and transport you off to India to live in someone else's shoes for a little while. Kiria is a Canadian CEO who decides to take a vacation to the non-touristy spots in India. What she finds is that people are all too willing to fleece a white tourist and, after losing her luggage, what she really wants are clean clothes and a little bit of understanding. She finds it in Santoshi, an Indian woman who gives her the last of her money so she can travel back to her hotel. In her quest to repay Santoshi, she discovers that her life has not been as cut and dry as she imagined and that there is much left to be discovered about herself and about others.
First, let's hit the plot. I was intrigued and entertained by the plot throughout the story. Ms. Baker winds a tale nicely and vividly. Both the setting and characters were well drawn and secondary characters were nicely used to help flesh out the important aspects of the novel. My one complaint is that I feel like I ended the book not knowing or understanding Kiria any better than when I started. In other words, her dynamics didn't feel like they changed much to me nor did I think she came to much understanding of herself. Yes, she absolutely went to huge lengths (without giving away too much of the plot here) to help others and do great things, but when we end the book, I feel like she herself has changed very little, quite honestly. Elements of who she was were there from the beginning and her growth was not strong. Nor was that of Santoshi. Perhaps the greatest growth came from Laxmi, who was a secondary character who realizes that even in a culture that does not support women's liberation, you can have it all and you can be happy.
Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It hit on the cultural issues I found lacking in other books regarding Indian tradition and culture (fiction novels, that is) and I enjoyed the characters. More depth in them would have been nice, but not everyone wants a character who goes beyond the surface level to scratch deep. A very nice summer read that went by quickly.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to review it. Thanks!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews