The Boy with the Patang

by Zarina Bonass

On a rooftop in Sikimpur, a young boy and girl fly kites. Some years later they meet again on their wedding day. So begins the story of enigmatic Sahira and solid Sami and what should have been their happy life together. But Sahira finds she cannot love Sami and Sami has a secret, which Sahira cannot ignore. Sami’s work takes them to the idyll of Andalusia where, on the shores of Lake Bermejalis, Sahira and her young nephew chance upon a stranger…

368 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 2015

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this wonderful book as an ARC from TBC on Facebook in exchange for an impartial review. I absolutely loved it! Zarina is an excellent author with a real skill with words. She takes you from India to Leeds, and then to Spain painting a wonderful picture of each country and culture. If you are expecting an action/adventure/murder mystery type book then this is not for you. However if you like to read an honest, and beautifully drawn picture of the life and loves of a girl separated from her home and family, and see life through her eyes, you will love this book. A fabulous book with an inevitable conclusion, which left me wanting to know more. This is an author to watch.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from the book club ( tbc ) on fb in exchange for an honest review.
on a rooftop in sikimpur, a young boy and girl fly kites. Some years later they meet again on their wedding day.
Very good read.
I liked the story and the characters.
I liked sahira.
She was my favourite character.
This is a lovely and moving story.
I really felt for sahira.
I liked the ending too.
Very moving story.
This is a must read and I would highly recommend this book.
Definitely worth more than 5 *. .

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC from The Book Club in return for an honest review. I found this book to be a bit of a slow burner - when I first started reading it, my mind kept thinking I wonder where this story is going. But it is a beautiful story which culminates in a brilliant and powerful ending where love triumphs over everything. I really enjoyed the meandering route that the story took. This is a solid 4 stars from me and I would recommend people add it to their 'to be read' collection immediately!!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. There were parts, particularly the sections set in India where I could not put the book down. The writing was so descriptive in the detail of everyday life that I felt I could have been there and it was enchanting in those sections. I loved the story and there were some unexpected twists I just did not see coming at all. A very good first novel, can’t wait for the next one.