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Five Sons and a 100 Muri of Rice: The story of a five year old bride in rural Nepal
A five year old bride in rural Nepal struggles with poverty, male domination and illiteracy to become a successful landowner, micro lender and great grandmother.
Based on the true story of Kharika Devkota, this book provides a rare insight into the inspiring and determining life of a Nepali woman.
Based on the true story of Kharika Devkota, this book provides a rare insight into the inspiring and determining life of a Nepali woman.
394 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 18, 2021
How many women in history can say they were nursed by their mothers on their wedding day?
The only ones who opposed 5 year old Kharika's marriage in rural Nepal in the late 1920s were chiding strangers as the wedding convoy passed. The little girl didn't know she was getting married but she knew her life would never again be happy or carefree. What followed was decades of backbreaking labor, abuse at the hands of her cold unloving groom, and loneliness. There was no escape, nobody who cared, all encouraged and insisted she go back home to that brute of a man. I don't know how anyone could survive such a bleak existence but I will say that Kharika had an indomitable spirit rarely seen in modern times. The world is a much different place today than it was a century ago but stories of hardship are necessary to remind us especially women of how far we've come.
The only ones who opposed 5 year old Kharika's marriage in rural Nepal in the late 1920s were chiding strangers as the wedding convoy passed. The little girl didn't know she was getting married but she knew her life would never again be happy or carefree. What followed was decades of backbreaking labor, abuse at the hands of her cold unloving groom, and loneliness. There was no escape, nobody who cared, all encouraged and insisted she go back home to that brute of a man. I don't know how anyone could survive such a bleak existence but I will say that Kharika had an indomitable spirit rarely seen in modern times. The world is a much different place today than it was a century ago but stories of hardship are necessary to remind us especially women of how far we've come.
April 14, 2015
I never write reviews, but I really enjoyed this book (altho I hated at least one of the people in it). I read it in Bhutan after I had been in Nepal for two weeks, including trekking in the Annapurna area near Pokhara and then a stay at Chitwan, so I had some basis for understanding the story and the severity of life for people who live in these areas. This book offers a lot of insight into traditional Nepali culture. The book is long, but the authors have done a fine job of presenting an engagingly-written story that held my attention all the way through.
December 31, 2016
I found this book fascinating. Kharika's resilience and physical and emotional strength is extraordinary. This book kept my attention page after page. I commend the authors- they did an excellent job telling her story.
June 24, 2017
I read this book while visiting a prominently Hindu country, and I found the glimpse into their lives very fascinating. It is written so you feel you are being told the story by Kharika herself. I had a hard time not stopping every 5 minutes to tell Dave what was happening now!
May 16, 2026
Reading this while travelling through Nepal. We travelled through country very close to the homes of Kharika Devkota, the voice of the personal history that his book details. It was so interesting to read this book to get insight into the lives of the people we saw in our travels. Kharika, who is 90 years old at the end of the book has lived through radical changes, some that she herself cannot accept. She was married off to a 12 year old boy when she was 5 years old but was under the protection of older relative so that she was safe from her husband Ketu who never accepted her. Forced eventually to have sex with her husband she had many children. Her husband rejected the girls but eventually she had a string of sons. Domestic violence, povery, hard work and lack of any education were features of her life. She tried to get her daughters educated but while her husband was still alive, this was impossible. She even loved and looked after the children of the second wife as if they were her own.
Her hard work paid off and after her husband died, she was able to get her land transferred into her name, much to the displeasure of her oldest son. She became a micro lender, keeping track of her assets with stones. It's sad that she never had the time to learn to read.
The book is written in first person with a lot of detail. We live with her through her hard times and the festivities. Her girls get married off like she was but not as young. She sees nothing wrong with forcing her alcoholic no good son to get married to a young girl, to try and straighten him out. No thoughts given to the poor girl who had to endure the domestic violence of the addict son. She is still caught in a time warp expecting her daughters-in-law to work full time and do all the housework but is proud that the grandchildren are all educated. An engaging book with perhaps a little too much detail.
Her hard work paid off and after her husband died, she was able to get her land transferred into her name, much to the displeasure of her oldest son. She became a micro lender, keeping track of her assets with stones. It's sad that she never had the time to learn to read.
The book is written in first person with a lot of detail. We live with her through her hard times and the festivities. Her girls get married off like she was but not as young. She sees nothing wrong with forcing her alcoholic no good son to get married to a young girl, to try and straighten him out. No thoughts given to the poor girl who had to endure the domestic violence of the addict son. She is still caught in a time warp expecting her daughters-in-law to work full time and do all the housework but is proud that the grandchildren are all educated. An engaging book with perhaps a little too much detail.
June 18, 2021
An excellent read
I loved this book. The protagonist was strong and beautiful. Her spirit was powerful. I couldn’t put this book down because it was amazing.
I loved this book. The protagonist was strong and beautiful. Her spirit was powerful. I couldn’t put this book down because it was amazing.
May 20, 2021
Really interesting snapshot of a woman's life in Nepal not that long ago. A beautiful read that helped expand my understanding of women's experience in a place of the world much different from my home.
July 11, 2017
I really enjoyed reading the story of this woman's life in rural Nepal.
The beginning was difficult to read just because her life and what she endured was so painful. It is hard to believe and read about people that are forced to endure and live in such horrific circumstances. Yet, that is life. It is not always pleasant and fun.
This book gave me a good glimpse into the life of a woman living in rural Nepal. I've visited Nepal before and was simply overcome with the majestic beauty of the Himalayas. At the time I didn't think much about the actual lives people were living and how harsh they must be. I simply viewed them through my western eyes and romanticized them.
Overall a good book.
The beginning was difficult to read just because her life and what she endured was so painful. It is hard to believe and read about people that are forced to endure and live in such horrific circumstances. Yet, that is life. It is not always pleasant and fun.
This book gave me a good glimpse into the life of a woman living in rural Nepal. I've visited Nepal before and was simply overcome with the majestic beauty of the Himalayas. At the time I didn't think much about the actual lives people were living and how harsh they must be. I simply viewed them through my western eyes and romanticized them.
Overall a good book.
May 5, 2021
Hard to read but great education
The story takes us into the life of a child bride, from her point of view. It is amazing the life of these people, but ow look at her go. Goid education of others in the world.
The story takes us into the life of a child bride, from her point of view. It is amazing the life of these people, but ow look at her go. Goid education of others in the world.
June 19, 2016
Five Sons and a 100 Muri of Rice: The story of a five year old bride in rural Nepal by Sharon Steel and Zoe Dryden
"A five year old bride in rural Nepal struggles with poverty, male domination and illiteracy to become a successful landowner, micro lender and great grandmother.
Based on the true story of Kharika Devkota, this book provides a rare insight into the inspiring and determining life of a Nepali woman." If the title appeals to you then think you will enjoy. 4.5
"A five year old bride in rural Nepal struggles with poverty, male domination and illiteracy to become a successful landowner, micro lender and great grandmother.
Based on the true story of Kharika Devkota, this book provides a rare insight into the inspiring and determining life of a Nepali woman." If the title appeals to you then think you will enjoy. 4.5
August 14, 2018
Absolutely loved this book! Edits are needed but..
It is a beautiful description of a type of life most of us will never know in the modernized western world. And it behooves us all to be aware of these cultures, views, societies and people that exist elsewhere. Women are capable of immense strength as daughters, sisters, wives and most of all as mothers. This book proves that point, without a doubt.
Highly recommend it!
It is a beautiful description of a type of life most of us will never know in the modernized western world. And it behooves us all to be aware of these cultures, views, societies and people that exist elsewhere. Women are capable of immense strength as daughters, sisters, wives and most of all as mothers. This book proves that point, without a doubt.
Highly recommend it!
January 24, 2020
Absolutely loved it!!
I thoroughly loved this book and felt I was there with Kharika. I loved her dedication to her family her whole life. I loved how she expected her sons to take care of her and not the other way around. She was frugal and was a successful business woman even without much education. You feel sorry for how her life started at such a tender age of five. However, that didn't stop her from having a life .
I thoroughly loved this book and felt I was there with Kharika. I loved her dedication to her family her whole life. I loved how she expected her sons to take care of her and not the other way around. She was frugal and was a successful business woman even without much education. You feel sorry for how her life started at such a tender age of five. However, that didn't stop her from having a life .
March 13, 2018
This is a remarkable true story of a 5 year old bride in rural Nepali, who struggles with poverty and male domination and illiteracy to become a landowner, micro leader and great grandmother. It is such a well written book that I felt like I was listening to Kharika Devkota herself telling her story. Great book by Sharyn Steel.
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October 14, 2016What can you say about this book, it is so powerful. What a remarkable woman Kharkiv is. Married at 5 years old, not having a childhood and the struggles that she went through. Highly recommend this book, such an uplifting read.
April 16, 2017
Enthralling Read
The story was riveting, although the writing had some punctuation errors . I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to others. I like to read stories of strong women who thrives despite the odds.
The story was riveting, although the writing had some punctuation errors . I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to others. I like to read stories of strong women who thrives despite the odds.
July 7, 2018
A simple yet amazing life
Each person has to face obstacles in their life. The story is found in how that person faces and overcomes those obstacles. A true glimpse into a way of life and living few can imagine.
Each person has to face obstacles in their life. The story is found in how that person faces and overcomes those obstacles. A true glimpse into a way of life and living few can imagine.
August 17, 2019
Eye opening, riveting
Never have we known a life so dependent on the gender of a child’s birth, and the shame and condemnation of not producing a male.
The strength and determination of a small person with fire is something to be reckoned with!
Never have we known a life so dependent on the gender of a child’s birth, and the shame and condemnation of not producing a male.
The strength and determination of a small person with fire is something to be reckoned with!
March 4, 2021
Excellent book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is very well written and an easy read. The authors brought me into the lives of Nepalese inhabitants and described the daily drudgery and thrills of these wonderful folks. Thank you for writing this book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is very well written and an easy read. The authors brought me into the lives of Nepalese inhabitants and described the daily drudgery and thrills of these wonderful folks. Thank you for writing this book!
May 11, 2016
Great book - dragged a little in the middle/end but this as an astonishing account of one woman's life.
The husband made me so mad!
The husband made me so mad!
May 27, 2016
Amazing!
September 12, 2016
Kharika...a beautiful soul...who has given everything of herself with very little in return...I love this book and I love dear Kharika...she deserves the world at her feet. Linda Crisp
January 6, 2018
Great. I love books that take place in other cultures and this true story is fascinating. Narrator was married at age 5 to a 12 year old.
June 21, 2018
Very interesting story about a very strong woman. Think you will enjoy this.
July 28, 2018
Couldnt put this book down!
June 20, 2019
Wonderful book if you like stories of other cultures in far-away places. I enjoyed it very much, and a women's victory in the end.
July 4, 2019
Incredible story
I could not put it down, stayed up all night to finish.
I could not put it down, stayed up all night to finish.
September 8, 2019
Amazing
What an amazing life. Hooray for women. How many could have done what she did. A must read.
Too bad women were treated s inferior. She proves that assumption wrong.
What an amazing life. Hooray for women. How many could have done what she did. A must read.
Too bad women were treated s inferior. She proves that assumption wrong.
January 19, 2020
Very well written! What a life she lived! Highly recommended!
January 4, 2021
Thank you
Thank you for writing her story! It has moved me to my core. What spirit of a woman. I learned to love her . She became an inspiration to me.
Thank you for writing her story! It has moved me to my core. What spirit of a woman. I learned to love her . She became an inspiration to me.
February 16, 2021
Could not put this down! A fascinating in depth of the amazing life of a woman from such a different culture.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews