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Written: A Story of Love, Secrets, Betrayal and Honour
What if your entire existence was based on someone else's story, someone else's dreams, someone else's expectations ....someone else's lies?NYC Big Book Awards 2021 Winner in Women's Issues FictionWriter's Digest Awards 2020 Finalist in Mainstream Literary Fiction
Written is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s struggle for freedom, and the uncovering of an intricate plan laced around forty years of secrets, betrayal and lies, in a family desperate to preserve their culture and honour.Reviews'Readers will find this book hard to put down' Michael McConnell - Editor of NY Times Best Sellers
'Lee tells Eleanor’s tale in smooth, expressive prose that captures her protagonist’s inner turmoil' Kirkus ReviewsWhat readers have to say...Wow! 'Just finished reading your book!! Wow....wow...wow!'
Amazing 'The book is amazing - it was 'unputdownable!'Heartbreaking 'The descriptive language makes you feel like you are in the moment. What a heartbreaking yet inspirational story''This book looks worn now...a sign of a good read. D.A. Lee the most amazing author and probably the best book I have ever read (I’ve read a lot). It captivated me like a book has never. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought me to tears. Amazing read by a wonderful strong woman. You have to read this !!!!'Page-turner 'I have just read her new book, Written. The book is a real page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Very enjoyable read, albeit heart-wrenching. I strongly recommend this book.'Unputdownable 'This is a multi-faceted book that elicits tears, sadness, joy and an entire range of other emotions. I read this non-stop over the space of a day, and couldn’t put it down such was the power of the story. A highly emotive and courageous subject, which the author has done justice to. Highly highly recommended'
'A well-told story about cultural issues around love and marriage - rich, deep and thoughtful. I couldn't put it down.''AMAZING!!!!!! Not only the heart-felt story but the way the story was told, exquisite...addictive. So beautifully done.....'SynopsisFour-year-old Eleanor is forced to accept her mother’s religious beliefs, that her whole life has already been written, and that she has no choice but to honour and accept her parents’ plans for her. Subject to abuse by an Islamic teacher, and witness to scenes of violence inflicted by her father, Eleanor finds her only refuge at school, where she dreams of a life beyond the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England. A mysterious woman befriends Eleanor – showing her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parent's cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents’ wishes – a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser – or rewrite her own sto
Written is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s struggle for freedom, and the uncovering of an intricate plan laced around forty years of secrets, betrayal and lies, in a family desperate to preserve their culture and honour.Reviews'Readers will find this book hard to put down' Michael McConnell - Editor of NY Times Best Sellers
'Lee tells Eleanor’s tale in smooth, expressive prose that captures her protagonist’s inner turmoil' Kirkus ReviewsWhat readers have to say...Wow! 'Just finished reading your book!! Wow....wow...wow!'
Amazing 'The book is amazing - it was 'unputdownable!'Heartbreaking 'The descriptive language makes you feel like you are in the moment. What a heartbreaking yet inspirational story''This book looks worn now...a sign of a good read. D.A. Lee the most amazing author and probably the best book I have ever read (I’ve read a lot). It captivated me like a book has never. It pulled on my heartstrings and brought me to tears. Amazing read by a wonderful strong woman. You have to read this !!!!'Page-turner 'I have just read her new book, Written. The book is a real page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Very enjoyable read, albeit heart-wrenching. I strongly recommend this book.'Unputdownable 'This is a multi-faceted book that elicits tears, sadness, joy and an entire range of other emotions. I read this non-stop over the space of a day, and couldn’t put it down such was the power of the story. A highly emotive and courageous subject, which the author has done justice to. Highly highly recommended'
'A well-told story about cultural issues around love and marriage - rich, deep and thoughtful. I couldn't put it down.''AMAZING!!!!!! Not only the heart-felt story but the way the story was told, exquisite...addictive. So beautifully done.....'SynopsisFour-year-old Eleanor is forced to accept her mother’s religious beliefs, that her whole life has already been written, and that she has no choice but to honour and accept her parents’ plans for her. Subject to abuse by an Islamic teacher, and witness to scenes of violence inflicted by her father, Eleanor finds her only refuge at school, where she dreams of a life beyond the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England. A mysterious woman befriends Eleanor – showing her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parent's cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents’ wishes – a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser – or rewrite her own sto
677 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2019
306 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
D.A. Lee
8 books12 followersD.A. Lee is a Bangladeshi-born British author, artist and poet, best known for her novel 'Written' published in 2019. Raised in a small town in Lancashire, England, Lee describes the cultural challenges of growing up in a Bengali household whilst navigating a western world.
Lee's novel, whilst fictional, draws on many of her own experiences of growing up in a Muslim family and explores the underworld of cultural expectations, arranged marriages, honour, abuse and domestic violence that often limit women's choices.
Lee first started writing as a form of self-healing through the challenges of home life. The word 'Written' had become a poignant theme throughout the book, a word often expressed culturally to describe the notion of determinism and predestination adopted by most traditional Muslim families as a way of life. Lee takes us on a journey through her character Eleanor, a young girl caught between a web of family secrets and lies where she comes into conflict with these values.
Today, Lee is an advocate for women's freedom of choice and encourages women to speak out and seek help if they feel they are in danger.
Lee's novel, whilst fictional, draws on many of her own experiences of growing up in a Muslim family and explores the underworld of cultural expectations, arranged marriages, honour, abuse and domestic violence that often limit women's choices.
Lee first started writing as a form of self-healing through the challenges of home life. The word 'Written' had become a poignant theme throughout the book, a word often expressed culturally to describe the notion of determinism and predestination adopted by most traditional Muslim families as a way of life. Lee takes us on a journey through her character Eleanor, a young girl caught between a web of family secrets and lies where she comes into conflict with these values.
Today, Lee is an advocate for women's freedom of choice and encourages women to speak out and seek help if they feel they are in danger.
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April 13, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/13/2020)! 🎁
November 6, 2020
Title- Written- A Story of Love, Secrets, Betrayal and Honour
Author- D.A. Lee
Genre- Fiction
Format- Kindle
Pages- 526
Book Review 🤓📚-
Reading about Life stories about Strong Women who fought and took a stand against injustice have always inspired me.
Similarly, Written is a story of a young girl who struggles for basic freedom, because her family under the name of religion and in a desperate feeling to preserve their culture impose rules on her which are different for her brothers of same house.
Since the age of four, Eleanor, she is forced to believe and accept her mother's religious beliefs. Things take more bitter turn when she faces abuse by Islamic Teacher in Mosque.
And finally when Eleanor meets a mysterious woman who helps her finds a way of freedom, a way for refuge the story takes a turn differently.
Key Highlights:-
~ Special mention for such a beautiful cover and title that I couldn't stop myself to know more about the story behind the sad beautiful face.
~ The whole story narration is fast paced and kept me engaged till the end.
~ The language is lucid, simple and well scripted.
If you are looking for a story of fierce woman fighting against odds, be it family restrictions, forcing of religious beliefs and many more that we see women facing even now. This one is thumps up.
QOTD? Do you know/ or does someone inspire you know inspires you to fight against something that is wrong?
Rating- 4.5/5✨
Happy Reading...!!!🤓
Author- D.A. Lee
Genre- Fiction
Format- Kindle
Pages- 526
Book Review 🤓📚-
Reading about Life stories about Strong Women who fought and took a stand against injustice have always inspired me.
Similarly, Written is a story of a young girl who struggles for basic freedom, because her family under the name of religion and in a desperate feeling to preserve their culture impose rules on her which are different for her brothers of same house.
Since the age of four, Eleanor, she is forced to believe and accept her mother's religious beliefs. Things take more bitter turn when she faces abuse by Islamic Teacher in Mosque.
And finally when Eleanor meets a mysterious woman who helps her finds a way of freedom, a way for refuge the story takes a turn differently.
Key Highlights:-
~ Special mention for such a beautiful cover and title that I couldn't stop myself to know more about the story behind the sad beautiful face.
~ The whole story narration is fast paced and kept me engaged till the end.
~ The language is lucid, simple and well scripted.
If you are looking for a story of fierce woman fighting against odds, be it family restrictions, forcing of religious beliefs and many more that we see women facing even now. This one is thumps up.
QOTD? Do you know/ or does someone inspire you know inspires you to fight against something that is wrong?
Rating- 4.5/5✨
Happy Reading...!!!🤓
November 4, 2020
”I wasn’t born for it all to be written for me. I was born to write it.”
The story is about the life of a girl who strives to overcome the barriers and struggles a religion imposes on a woman during her lifetime. The story is narrated front he perspective of the protagonist Eleanor.
Eleanor is a girl in a Muslim family where her parents have already instilled in her mind which they think Allah has written for her. She has been told from the beginning how women should be covered from top to bottom with intricate fabric and heavy jewellery, how women should not argue with men, how women cannot continue their education because they need to take care of their kids and husband.
Eleanor although had the privilege to study and find a job she gave into the traditions and get married to a person who doesn't respect or care for her in any way. Having gone through domestic violence and abuse she awaits the day when she can write her own story. Fortunately, she meets a woman who destroys the misconceptions fed to her by her family.
The story may be little hard to get through for some readers but the fact that although its a fictional story, it is based on true events of the author's life makes anyone feel connected to it. It's a story of love, betrayal, courage and secrets. It's very heart wrenching to read how the women were treated by the name of religion. Even though the times have changed, these situations still prevail in a few households.
The story narrated very well and at a fast pace. It is definitely a page-turner for me and I couldn't put this book down even for a minute. I really liked the story and I recommend everyone to give it a read once.
The story is about the life of a girl who strives to overcome the barriers and struggles a religion imposes on a woman during her lifetime. The story is narrated front he perspective of the protagonist Eleanor.
Eleanor is a girl in a Muslim family where her parents have already instilled in her mind which they think Allah has written for her. She has been told from the beginning how women should be covered from top to bottom with intricate fabric and heavy jewellery, how women should not argue with men, how women cannot continue their education because they need to take care of their kids and husband.
Eleanor although had the privilege to study and find a job she gave into the traditions and get married to a person who doesn't respect or care for her in any way. Having gone through domestic violence and abuse she awaits the day when she can write her own story. Fortunately, she meets a woman who destroys the misconceptions fed to her by her family.
The story may be little hard to get through for some readers but the fact that although its a fictional story, it is based on true events of the author's life makes anyone feel connected to it. It's a story of love, betrayal, courage and secrets. It's very heart wrenching to read how the women were treated by the name of religion. Even though the times have changed, these situations still prevail in a few households.
The story narrated very well and at a fast pace. It is definitely a page-turner for me and I couldn't put this book down even for a minute. I really liked the story and I recommend everyone to give it a read once.
January 30, 2020
To have the freedom of religion is a powerful feeling that one can embrace with pride, joy, and self-revelation. To be forced into abiding by a religion is complete oppression. It can be belittling, detrimental to one’s mind, body, and spirit. A religion where men can dominate over women to the point that women are not free to live their best life is crippling. To read this story, you’ll have to fully open your mind to the ways of another culture. This is a riveting story following a little girl as she struggles to find her golden truth.
Eleanor is a little girl, growing up in a Muslim family. Her mother and father have already planned everything for her life as Allah has written it. Girls must grow up and cover themselves with intricately adorned fabric and jewels, from head to toe. They must only eat after the men have eaten. They are not allowed to be educated because they must raise their children. But, most importantly, they must always abide by their husbands and uphold her family’s honor. Eleanor was taught the rules as early as four-years-old and everything has been ingrained inside of her ever since. Through abuse and domestic violence, she holds onto the hope that she will one day be able to write her own story. When her salvation comes, it is in the form of a beautiful and kind woman dressed in a fur coat, who shatters the facade that her parents have preached to her for her entire life. Eleanor takes comfort in this woman’s words, knowing that her family can take much from her, but not without a fight.
Lee’s story, while fictional, is based on true and personal events from her journals of self-healing. What more can a reader ask for than true credibility in every sense of the word? Readers will find this story hard to get through, but also impossible to put down. Lee has characters who will test your capacity for sadness and joy. These characters will also test a reader’s faith and morality. The story is written very well and fast-paced, a real page-turner filled with love, compassion, betrayal, determination, courage, and secrets. What captivated us the most was the front cover of this book, because of its striking allure. When first seeing this beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face, jewels surrounding her, and a bruise on her jaw, we wanted to know her story and we think this will appeal to others too. If you are a reader of women’s and psychological fiction, self-help, and cultural practices, you will not want to pass this one up.
An electronic copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Written: There are No Choices. It was Already Written. by D.A. Lee.
Eleanor is a little girl, growing up in a Muslim family. Her mother and father have already planned everything for her life as Allah has written it. Girls must grow up and cover themselves with intricately adorned fabric and jewels, from head to toe. They must only eat after the men have eaten. They are not allowed to be educated because they must raise their children. But, most importantly, they must always abide by their husbands and uphold her family’s honor. Eleanor was taught the rules as early as four-years-old and everything has been ingrained inside of her ever since. Through abuse and domestic violence, she holds onto the hope that she will one day be able to write her own story. When her salvation comes, it is in the form of a beautiful and kind woman dressed in a fur coat, who shatters the facade that her parents have preached to her for her entire life. Eleanor takes comfort in this woman’s words, knowing that her family can take much from her, but not without a fight.
Lee’s story, while fictional, is based on true and personal events from her journals of self-healing. What more can a reader ask for than true credibility in every sense of the word? Readers will find this story hard to get through, but also impossible to put down. Lee has characters who will test your capacity for sadness and joy. These characters will also test a reader’s faith and morality. The story is written very well and fast-paced, a real page-turner filled with love, compassion, betrayal, determination, courage, and secrets. What captivated us the most was the front cover of this book, because of its striking allure. When first seeing this beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face, jewels surrounding her, and a bruise on her jaw, we wanted to know her story and we think this will appeal to others too. If you are a reader of women’s and psychological fiction, self-help, and cultural practices, you will not want to pass this one up.
An electronic copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by Reedsy Discovery and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Written: There are No Choices. It was Already Written. by D.A. Lee.
November 25, 2020
The cover of this book is very unique and attractive. The title is apt for the book.
The story is about a Four-year-old Eleanor who is forced to accept her mother's religious beliefs, that her whole life has already been written, and that she has no choice but to honour and accept her parents' plans for her.
Subject to abuse by an Islamic teacher, and witness to scenes of violence inflicted by her father, Eleanor finds her only refuge at school, where she dreams of a life beyond the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England.
A mysterious woman befriends Eleanor - showing her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parents' cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents' wishes - a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser - or rewrite her own story.
This book is divided into two parts where the starting of the journey is full of hurdles and obstacles while the other part or the later half is all about self-love, freedom and lively. The narration style is very engaging and will keep you gripped. The language could be understood by everyone and the pace is maintained really well.
Overall a really good read. Highly recommended from my side.
The story is about a Four-year-old Eleanor who is forced to accept her mother's religious beliefs, that her whole life has already been written, and that she has no choice but to honour and accept her parents' plans for her.
Subject to abuse by an Islamic teacher, and witness to scenes of violence inflicted by her father, Eleanor finds her only refuge at school, where she dreams of a life beyond the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England.
A mysterious woman befriends Eleanor - showing her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parents' cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents' wishes - a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser - or rewrite her own story.
This book is divided into two parts where the starting of the journey is full of hurdles and obstacles while the other part or the later half is all about self-love, freedom and lively. The narration style is very engaging and will keep you gripped. The language could be understood by everyone and the pace is maintained really well.
Overall a really good read. Highly recommended from my side.
November 22, 2020
Book name:- Written: A Heartbreaking story of love, secrets, Betrayal and Honour
Pages:- 539
Author:- @daleeauthor
.#bookreview
.
This is a very emotional and multi-faceted book. This story is about cultural issues, love, marriage, and a lot more things. While readers reading this book they will get so emotional.
.
I don't tell how the story began, if I tell this then I will spoil this story.
.
So, then the story is about a girl and her painful journey. The girl name Eleanor wants nothing more than to study and her freedom.
.
Eleanor doesn't have any choice in her life just because her life was already written by her parents. She needs to believes that her life has been already written. She doesn't have any choice in her life, like what to do, what to eat, where to go, etc.
She also has brothers but her brothers' are allowing everything they want to do. They are allowed to study freely but she needs to struggle very hard to study.
.
Why they are doing this vulgar thing. Just because she is a Muslim girl. In their color, they believe that women are no need to get a lot more education it's a waste of time just because women are made to look after the children and house.
.
But here's not the story end.
.
Eleanor also faces physically abused by one man. When she tells this to her mother, she just ignores it.
.
So, How she solve this problem??
Will anyone help her??
Is she get better life???
.
Rating:- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
..............HAPPY READING.......
.
Pages:- 539
Author:- @daleeauthor
.#bookreview
.
This is a very emotional and multi-faceted book. This story is about cultural issues, love, marriage, and a lot more things. While readers reading this book they will get so emotional.
.
I don't tell how the story began, if I tell this then I will spoil this story.
.
So, then the story is about a girl and her painful journey. The girl name Eleanor wants nothing more than to study and her freedom.
.
Eleanor doesn't have any choice in her life just because her life was already written by her parents. She needs to believes that her life has been already written. She doesn't have any choice in her life, like what to do, what to eat, where to go, etc.
She also has brothers but her brothers' are allowing everything they want to do. They are allowed to study freely but she needs to struggle very hard to study.
.
Why they are doing this vulgar thing. Just because she is a Muslim girl. In their color, they believe that women are no need to get a lot more education it's a waste of time just because women are made to look after the children and house.
.
But here's not the story end.
.
Eleanor also faces physically abused by one man. When she tells this to her mother, she just ignores it.
.
So, How she solve this problem??
Will anyone help her??
Is she get better life???
.
Rating:- 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
..............HAPPY READING.......
.
November 19, 2020
Written is the heart-wrenching story of the fight for independence for a young girl, and the uncovering of an elaborate plot laced with secrets, betrayal and lies for about forty years, in a family desperate to maintain their culture and honour.A strong feeling that one can accept with dignity, joy, and self-revelation is to have the freedom of faith.You'll have to fully open your mind to the ways of another culture in order to read this tale. Following a little girl as she tries to find her golden reality is a riveting storey.The fact that this book was written from personal experience makes it much more useful for the experience of reading.Eleanor is a little girl, growing up in a Muslim family.As Allah has written it, her mother and father have prepared everything for her life already.Eleanor was taught the rules as early as four-years-old.Girls must grow up and cover themselves, from head to toe, with intricately decorated cloth and jewels. Only after the men have eaten do they feed. They are not permitted to be educated because their children must be raised.Readers will find it difficult to get through this novel, but also hard to put down. Hats-off to the author for writing everything so beautifully with sadness and joy. Lee's novel, whilst fictional, draws on many of her own experiences of growing up in a Muslim family and explores the underworld of cultural expectations, arranged marriages, honour, abuse and domestic violence that often limit women's choices. I am really impressed by the author and expect more from her. Cover is so beautiful and title is also appropriate to the plot. Overall i really amazing read would highly recommend to all the readers out there.
Happy reading:)
Happy reading:)
November 19, 2020
This book was sooooo good. It will tug at every feeling you can imagine having. While you are experiencing all of those feelings, there are so many life lessons that apply to anybody within the book. I was highlighting so many important lessons for myself. I felt sorry for the lead character in that all she wanted to do was gain approval and love of her parents, in particular more her mother, and in that process she lost herself and felt isolated and unloved. She was raised with Muslim beliefs and she struggled with that a lot through her life. It was so ironic to me that in the end whether she did everything to please them or whether she would have gone completely against them from the get go, the end result was the same. Powerful book.
“The truth became clear that life is abundant regardless of your circumstance; it is only in the confines of our minds that we are poor or perceive happiness to be lacking. I had subscribed to many other ideals of life; to make others happy was what I had prescribed for my own happiness, to the point where I had lost sight of myself. I realised in that moment that I had to learn to love myself and feel joy in being, to be in a position to give or pass on love or happiness. If that beacon of light within one’s soul is burning low, then how can anyone see its light?”
“The truth became clear that life is abundant regardless of your circumstance; it is only in the confines of our minds that we are poor or perceive happiness to be lacking. I had subscribed to many other ideals of life; to make others happy was what I had prescribed for my own happiness, to the point where I had lost sight of myself. I realised in that moment that I had to learn to love myself and feel joy in being, to be in a position to give or pass on love or happiness. If that beacon of light within one’s soul is burning low, then how can anyone see its light?”
November 8, 2020
The book "Written" is a absolute masterpiece of writing by D.A.Lee . The fact that this book was written by personal experience makes it much more valuable for the reading experience.
The book cover is so apt and so amazingly thought of and it's peeks the interest of the readers just right amount. The book is 500+ pages long, so it's a bit of long read but the author has managed to keep the attention of the readers throughout the reading.
"Follow the heart and what it's tell cause that's every word is Golden."
I love this quote from the book and how it's helped her through the life challenges.
The story revolves around the girl Elenaor and his journey of religion and culture, a Bangladeshi Muslim girl living in the London. How a little girl who want nothing more than to learn and study. How her life's not gonna be the same for that 4 years old in the upcoming years.
In the name of religion and culture, she has been forced into things from early age which resulted in her suffering from abusive behaviou as well as neglect. She overcomes her religion and culture values and made a life for herself. But a promise landed her in the same dark path which she was trying to avoid throughout her life.
Will she overcome this challenging chapter of her life or she will scummb to the cultural and religious beliefs.
The story is so beautiful ( beautiful in a sense that I love the fight and grit of the Eleanor despite the many hurdles in her life she never stopped believing in herself).
I think it's a must read for everyone who wants to explore how the other religions and culture and it's effects on people who are suffering day in day out in the name of religion and society too.
The book cover is so apt and so amazingly thought of and it's peeks the interest of the readers just right amount. The book is 500+ pages long, so it's a bit of long read but the author has managed to keep the attention of the readers throughout the reading.
"Follow the heart and what it's tell cause that's every word is Golden."
I love this quote from the book and how it's helped her through the life challenges.
The story revolves around the girl Elenaor and his journey of religion and culture, a Bangladeshi Muslim girl living in the London. How a little girl who want nothing more than to learn and study. How her life's not gonna be the same for that 4 years old in the upcoming years.
In the name of religion and culture, she has been forced into things from early age which resulted in her suffering from abusive behaviou as well as neglect. She overcomes her religion and culture values and made a life for herself. But a promise landed her in the same dark path which she was trying to avoid throughout her life.
Will she overcome this challenging chapter of her life or she will scummb to the cultural and religious beliefs.
The story is so beautiful ( beautiful in a sense that I love the fight and grit of the Eleanor despite the many hurdles in her life she never stopped believing in herself).
I think it's a must read for everyone who wants to explore how the other religions and culture and it's effects on people who are suffering day in day out in the name of religion and society too.
May 14, 2023
Needs a box of cleanex to read.
This book was really emotional to read. I had to put it down and come back to it many times. The main theme is nothing is written yet and on the path of life God gave you life and choice.
Many times I cried with and for Eleanor throughout this story. The ending was a little bittersweet but satisfying. A really great story.
Also read the message from the author. It surprised me.
This book was really emotional to read. I had to put it down and come back to it many times. The main theme is nothing is written yet and on the path of life God gave you life and choice.
Many times I cried with and for Eleanor throughout this story. The ending was a little bittersweet but satisfying. A really great story.
Also read the message from the author. It surprised me.
November 6, 2020
Title- Written- A Story of Love, Secrets, Betrayal and Honour
Author- D.A. Lee
When I first saw this cover, I was lost in many thoughts, like what an interesting and very deep cover this one is.
That sad face is hiding so many emotions yet those tears are giving us a hint of the pain and are totally making us feel a connection with the book.
Talking about the plot, this is a book which many will relate to.
Eleanor, our main protagonist of this book is a Muslim girl, who witnesses many hardships during her upbringing.
And those hardships were made to be faced by her own people initially (her parents) who tried to make her born submissive to the deeds which were already written for her by their religious God and that's the path she was being expected to follow.
Let me share with you one incident from the book, the one from the chapter titled as "The Arranged Marriage", where Eleanor finds out that her Nashira khala wasn't willing to get married but when she tried to make her chose for herself she was badly spoken to by her Mamajee and was again made to feel submissive.
There are many such incidents which will definitely make you feel a connection with our protagonist and at times may even make you shed a tear or two.
The author has stated that she's written few incidents from her past in this one and if by reading this plot I felt so much sad then I can understand how she might have felt while undergoing such instances.
And it takes a lot of courage to write something which has affected you. She has done a wonderful job and her emotions can be felt by the readers.
And then she started the book by quoting words of Rabindranath Tagore - "Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it."
It is one emotion filled journey and sending my support and warm wishes to each and everyone who has faced such situations in their life.
Author- D.A. Lee
When I first saw this cover, I was lost in many thoughts, like what an interesting and very deep cover this one is.
That sad face is hiding so many emotions yet those tears are giving us a hint of the pain and are totally making us feel a connection with the book.
Talking about the plot, this is a book which many will relate to.
Eleanor, our main protagonist of this book is a Muslim girl, who witnesses many hardships during her upbringing.
And those hardships were made to be faced by her own people initially (her parents) who tried to make her born submissive to the deeds which were already written for her by their religious God and that's the path she was being expected to follow.
Let me share with you one incident from the book, the one from the chapter titled as "The Arranged Marriage", where Eleanor finds out that her Nashira khala wasn't willing to get married but when she tried to make her chose for herself she was badly spoken to by her Mamajee and was again made to feel submissive.
There are many such incidents which will definitely make you feel a connection with our protagonist and at times may even make you shed a tear or two.
The author has stated that she's written few incidents from her past in this one and if by reading this plot I felt so much sad then I can understand how she might have felt while undergoing such instances.
And it takes a lot of courage to write something which has affected you. She has done a wonderful job and her emotions can be felt by the readers.
And then she started the book by quoting words of Rabindranath Tagore - "Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it."
It is one emotion filled journey and sending my support and warm wishes to each and everyone who has faced such situations in their life.
December 10, 2020
A must read
While this book does contain a heartbreaking theme regarding domestic violence, it brings it out in the open in ways I had never considered, through arranged marriages and misguided faith. This book opened my eyes and I loved the main character, who overcame so much by preserving and finding real love for herself.
While this book does contain a heartbreaking theme regarding domestic violence, it brings it out in the open in ways I had never considered, through arranged marriages and misguided faith. This book opened my eyes and I loved the main character, who overcame so much by preserving and finding real love for herself.
November 6, 2020
It feels so wrong when someone's existence and identity are connected to their religion and gender and not to his or her true self. A particular sect of people who only curb the liberty and basic rights of their better halves and then talk about Freedom Of expression in every single sense reeks of their double standards.
The tale revolves around Eleanor born in Muslim family and hence is forced to cover herself from head to toe. The kind of oppression she faces on a daily basis and how her independence is totally kept in check feels so heart wrenching. The basic functioning of mind for such souls is thoroughly disturbed as they are made to look at only one side of coin. But how the arrival of a friend cum angel in her life proves to be a blessing in disguise for the protagonist is well captured.
The narration is beautiful. Though the story is quite long but it doesn't feel for a moment that one is not able to sail through it at any juncture. It seems so effortless. The characterisation is captivating and the way writer has woven words speak volumes about her writing prowess . After realizing that book encapsulates some real life incidents too based on writer's own life it makes the entire reading experience much more surreal. Highly recommended to all the readers out there.
The tale revolves around Eleanor born in Muslim family and hence is forced to cover herself from head to toe. The kind of oppression she faces on a daily basis and how her independence is totally kept in check feels so heart wrenching. The basic functioning of mind for such souls is thoroughly disturbed as they are made to look at only one side of coin. But how the arrival of a friend cum angel in her life proves to be a blessing in disguise for the protagonist is well captured.
The narration is beautiful. Though the story is quite long but it doesn't feel for a moment that one is not able to sail through it at any juncture. It seems so effortless. The characterisation is captivating and the way writer has woven words speak volumes about her writing prowess . After realizing that book encapsulates some real life incidents too based on writer's own life it makes the entire reading experience much more surreal. Highly recommended to all the readers out there.
November 6, 2020
Beautiful Read.
Written is a heart wrenching story of a 4 year old girl who struggles for her own freedom. The story revolves around Eleanor who is forced to believe her mother's ritual practices when she don't want to but she has to for her parent'. She believes that her life has been already written. She can only see her dreams fulfilling at her school and looks beyond the parameter of the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England. You will get to know about her teacher and how she behaves with her when you will read this book. You won't stop reading once you will start, the story is so beautifully narrated.
This book is divided into two parts where the starting of the journey is full of hurdles and obstacles but the other part or the later half is all about self-love, freedom and lively.
Eleanor went through a lot of things at such a small age. The characters are real, these practices are still there in some areas of the world. The language is simple and the story is described in detail which makes it more beautiful. The title is beautiful as everything is pre-written but we can change few things by the strength and the determination. I loved the cover page, well designed.
Written is a heart wrenching story of a 4 year old girl who struggles for her own freedom. The story revolves around Eleanor who is forced to believe her mother's ritual practices when she don't want to but she has to for her parent'. She believes that her life has been already written. She can only see her dreams fulfilling at her school and looks beyond the parameter of the hills of her hometown of Ashcroft, England. You will get to know about her teacher and how she behaves with her when you will read this book. You won't stop reading once you will start, the story is so beautifully narrated.
This book is divided into two parts where the starting of the journey is full of hurdles and obstacles but the other part or the later half is all about self-love, freedom and lively.
Eleanor went through a lot of things at such a small age. The characters are real, these practices are still there in some areas of the world. The language is simple and the story is described in detail which makes it more beautiful. The title is beautiful as everything is pre-written but we can change few things by the strength and the determination. I loved the cover page, well designed.
November 7, 2020
Written by D.A. Lee is a heart-wrenching read. The story depicts how some beliefs are controlling the lives and instead of enlightening the life how the beliefs stultifying the lives.
The protagonist Eleanor is a Muslim girl, who is living in London. Being raised in a male dominant family, she has been taught to be submissive, never talk back to males. Her mother always told her that her fate is written by god and she can’t change a bit of it. Everything from eating, dressing, behaving, walking, etc. is controlled by religious measures and per the patriarchal men. She was prerogative enough to study and work. But given her “fate”, she was married to an abusive man. He used to abuse her and she went through a drastic married life until her life took a peculiar turn. She met a woman who taught her self-love and helped her heal.
It is a beautiful read with a journey from abominable to amiable life. The language and narration are unblemished and beguiling. The plot is enticing and page-turner. The cover of the book says most of the story and is prepossessing.
The protagonist Eleanor is a Muslim girl, who is living in London. Being raised in a male dominant family, she has been taught to be submissive, never talk back to males. Her mother always told her that her fate is written by god and she can’t change a bit of it. Everything from eating, dressing, behaving, walking, etc. is controlled by religious measures and per the patriarchal men. She was prerogative enough to study and work. But given her “fate”, she was married to an abusive man. He used to abuse her and she went through a drastic married life until her life took a peculiar turn. She met a woman who taught her self-love and helped her heal.
It is a beautiful read with a journey from abominable to amiable life. The language and narration are unblemished and beguiling. The plot is enticing and page-turner. The cover of the book says most of the story and is prepossessing.
October 11, 2020
Narration is 😍😍
It is believed in many religions that our life is already witten by the lord, we are here for a propose and are a part of a grand plan but is it really true?
the book is written from the perspective of Eleanor, our protagonist. Being just 4 year old, she believes that her parents are right that she don't have any choice to choose from cuz all is already "written". She don't have any control on how to dress, what to eat, were to go, be friends with, etc. She has to follow the same pattern and routine that her mother gives her. Eleanor also has brothers. She notice that she was treated differently. They were allowed to go outside without any permission, they were allowed to return home after getting dark, they were allowed to study freely while she had to struggled very hard.
Eleanor belongs to a Bangladeshi Muslim community who lives in London. In her community they believe that women should not argue with her men even if he is wrong, teaching a girl is just waste of time And money as they are just going to look after the childrens and the house, etc.
Mosque is such a holy place and everyone likes to go there but the case with Eleanor is different. Once she had gone to mosque and one men physically abused her. She thought that it was going to happen just one time but no, it had continued for serval days.
She didn't wanted to go to mosque anymore when her mother asked her why. She told that she don't like one uncle. Her mother thought that that she was lying for no valid reason. She simply ignored her. When no one was ready to listen to her and solve her problem, she meets a mysterious women, who attentively listened to her and gave solution and motivation to her. She taught Eleanor lesson that helped her to solve and find the answers of her future problems.
The book is divided into 2 parts. first part talks about religion, believes, culture, School, etc second part is more about love, self-discovery freedom, choices,etc.
Writing style of this author is so good. I was so glued to this book. The narration is just amazing. The author has done a great job by maintaining the flow of the book.
It is believed in many religions that our life is already witten by the lord, we are here for a propose and are a part of a grand plan but is it really true?
the book is written from the perspective of Eleanor, our protagonist. Being just 4 year old, she believes that her parents are right that she don't have any choice to choose from cuz all is already "written". She don't have any control on how to dress, what to eat, were to go, be friends with, etc. She has to follow the same pattern and routine that her mother gives her. Eleanor also has brothers. She notice that she was treated differently. They were allowed to go outside without any permission, they were allowed to return home after getting dark, they were allowed to study freely while she had to struggled very hard.
Eleanor belongs to a Bangladeshi Muslim community who lives in London. In her community they believe that women should not argue with her men even if he is wrong, teaching a girl is just waste of time And money as they are just going to look after the childrens and the house, etc.
Mosque is such a holy place and everyone likes to go there but the case with Eleanor is different. Once she had gone to mosque and one men physically abused her. She thought that it was going to happen just one time but no, it had continued for serval days.
She didn't wanted to go to mosque anymore when her mother asked her why. She told that she don't like one uncle. Her mother thought that that she was lying for no valid reason. She simply ignored her. When no one was ready to listen to her and solve her problem, she meets a mysterious women, who attentively listened to her and gave solution and motivation to her. She taught Eleanor lesson that helped her to solve and find the answers of her future problems.
The book is divided into 2 parts. first part talks about religion, believes, culture, School, etc second part is more about love, self-discovery freedom, choices,etc.
Writing style of this author is so good. I was so glued to this book. The narration is just amazing. The author has done a great job by maintaining the flow of the book.
February 9, 2020
Wow! This was a nail-biter.
”You, me, everything that has happened, everything that will happen, our entire existence, it is already written. We are only here to submit to Allah’s will.”
In this book, we witness the triumphant story of a young Muslim woman of Bangladesh ancestry. Eleanor was born and raised in the UK, but the cultural ties of her family are as strong as if she’d grown up in her ancestral homeland. The cultural insights into Bengali culture were interesting to say the least.
As a female, Eleanor is expected to obey her parents and live in submission to men. For a while, it seems she will escape the same fate as her mother, aunts, and grandmother. She attends college, graduates, moves out of her family’s home, and works. Eventually, honor and duty come knocking and she finds herself engaged and married to someone who doesn’t respect her or value her opinions.
Through the help of good friends, Eleanor crawls out of her personal hell and learns how to love and live life on her terms. The twist was foreshadowed in an earlier chapter, so it didn’t surprise me when the truth was revealed. I was glad Eleanor got the closure she needed at the end of the book.
”I wasn’t born for it all to be written for me. I was born to write it.”
Triggers: domestic violence, spousal abuse
”You, me, everything that has happened, everything that will happen, our entire existence, it is already written. We are only here to submit to Allah’s will.”
In this book, we witness the triumphant story of a young Muslim woman of Bangladesh ancestry. Eleanor was born and raised in the UK, but the cultural ties of her family are as strong as if she’d grown up in her ancestral homeland. The cultural insights into Bengali culture were interesting to say the least.
As a female, Eleanor is expected to obey her parents and live in submission to men. For a while, it seems she will escape the same fate as her mother, aunts, and grandmother. She attends college, graduates, moves out of her family’s home, and works. Eventually, honor and duty come knocking and she finds herself engaged and married to someone who doesn’t respect her or value her opinions.
Through the help of good friends, Eleanor crawls out of her personal hell and learns how to love and live life on her terms. The twist was foreshadowed in an earlier chapter, so it didn’t surprise me when the truth was revealed. I was glad Eleanor got the closure she needed at the end of the book.
”I wasn’t born for it all to be written for me. I was born to write it.”
Triggers: domestic violence, spousal abuse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2020
Gripping! I found myself completely enthralled with Eleanor's story. Knowing that this book has been inspired by the author's personal experiences makes me see it in a whole new light. This is essential reading for every person who faces domestic violence and subjugation. But it is also invitation to the rest to find their own truth and hold on to it. I do wish the book had a glossary though. Might make it a tad easier for those not familiar with terms from South Asian languages.
January 28, 2020
- What a beautiful brilliant lovely read! Really gripping that one could not put the book down. Truly wonderful and inspiring of how Eleanor managed to cope and there were so many golden nuggets of wisdom for us all to relearn and remember and adhere too! Simply loved it! Thank you.
October 5, 2020
Wonderful!
A very well-written story. Even though it is a work of fiction, it reads as if it is a true story. Be sure to read the author's note. Highly recommend!
A very well-written story. Even though it is a work of fiction, it reads as if it is a true story. Be sure to read the author's note. Highly recommend!
November 29, 2020
🌟What if your entire existence was based on someone else's story, someone else's dreams, someone else's expectations, someone else's lies?
This is not life, if you are not living for yourself, you are not doing right to yourself🌟
✍️The cover of this book itself tells a story, beautifully designed and matching with the storyline. Written is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s struggle for freedom, and the uncovering of an intricate plan laced around forty years of secrets, betrayal and lies, in a family desperate to preserve their culture and honour.
✍️This book is written from the perspective of a four year old girl- Eleanor, the protagonist. She has been forced to accept her mother's religious beliefs and she believes that her parents are right that she don't have any choice and her life is already "Written". She don't have any control on how she wants to live her life whereas her brothers have all the freedom. In the name of Religion and Culture, she suffered a lot. Soon she meets a mysterious woman who befriends Eleanor and shows her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parents’ cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents’ wishes – a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser – or rewrite her own story.
(Even though our life is already written, we have the power to re-write our own story)
What you think she will do?
✍️I got speechless after this story, its so real, emotional and heart wrenching. This is not just a story, its a reality and this is happening in so many places where people don't care for what women/girl wants to do in her life- they are living a life which is in control of others. Its an eye opener book and if a girl who have gone through all this is reading this review, please read this book and learn to take a stand for yourself. I appreciate the Author that she wrote a book on this Issue. What an Inspirational story, everyone should read.
This is not life, if you are not living for yourself, you are not doing right to yourself🌟
✍️The cover of this book itself tells a story, beautifully designed and matching with the storyline. Written is the heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s struggle for freedom, and the uncovering of an intricate plan laced around forty years of secrets, betrayal and lies, in a family desperate to preserve their culture and honour.
✍️This book is written from the perspective of a four year old girl- Eleanor, the protagonist. She has been forced to accept her mother's religious beliefs and she believes that her parents are right that she don't have any choice and her life is already "Written". She don't have any control on how she wants to live her life whereas her brothers have all the freedom. In the name of Religion and Culture, she suffered a lot. Soon she meets a mysterious woman who befriends Eleanor and shows her a world of choice and freedom. Caught between her parents’ cultural values and her own desires, Eleanor must decide whether to honour her parents’ wishes – a life locked in marriage to the hands of an abuser – or rewrite her own story.
(Even though our life is already written, we have the power to re-write our own story)
What you think she will do?
✍️I got speechless after this story, its so real, emotional and heart wrenching. This is not just a story, its a reality and this is happening in so many places where people don't care for what women/girl wants to do in her life- they are living a life which is in control of others. Its an eye opener book and if a girl who have gone through all this is reading this review, please read this book and learn to take a stand for yourself. I appreciate the Author that she wrote a book on this Issue. What an Inspirational story, everyone should read.
January 28, 2025
10/10, 5 Stars, powerful read
Speechless, that’s how I feel after reading this book.
What an emotional journey this was, I am a white American, so I cannot relate to the culture, religion, and traditions much. Though I can relate to this book in many other ways and it was an emotional journey. Though you don’t need to relate to it, for it to be a journey. As I was reading this, It didn’t feel entirely fictional or even like a book, I felt as if I was watching a movie of someone’s life unfold into a delicate and heartbreaking story.
I don’t often read books twice, but this is one to read again, to digest again and to let sink in a little further. This is one that makes you want to stand with her to fight the fight of injustice. To help give others a voice, to help them heal.
At the end, she mentions that her own experiences helped her write this, everything felt so real and painful, I can’t imagine what she’s gone through and can only hope that now she is happy.
Speechless, that’s how I feel after reading this book.
What an emotional journey this was, I am a white American, so I cannot relate to the culture, religion, and traditions much. Though I can relate to this book in many other ways and it was an emotional journey. Though you don’t need to relate to it, for it to be a journey. As I was reading this, It didn’t feel entirely fictional or even like a book, I felt as if I was watching a movie of someone’s life unfold into a delicate and heartbreaking story.
I don’t often read books twice, but this is one to read again, to digest again and to let sink in a little further. This is one that makes you want to stand with her to fight the fight of injustice. To help give others a voice, to help them heal.
At the end, she mentions that her own experiences helped her write this, everything felt so real and painful, I can’t imagine what she’s gone through and can only hope that now she is happy.
May 10, 2022
I could just tell
That this book was written by someone with a firsthand experience of domestic violence. It physically affected me with a heaviness in my heart.
Not my normal genre of book and completely different than anything I've read recently. I won't say I enjoyed the book. How do you enjoy someone else's heartbreak. But the underlying message is to not just accept injustice and abuse but to fight to overcome it and to thrive and find peace and happiness. I have a deeper understanding of why some find it so hard to leave, and how feelings of low self worth from a lifetime of abuse can be the quicksand that keeps some held hostage emotionally to bad relationships.
That this book was written by someone with a firsthand experience of domestic violence. It physically affected me with a heaviness in my heart.
Not my normal genre of book and completely different than anything I've read recently. I won't say I enjoyed the book. How do you enjoy someone else's heartbreak. But the underlying message is to not just accept injustice and abuse but to fight to overcome it and to thrive and find peace and happiness. I have a deeper understanding of why some find it so hard to leave, and how feelings of low self worth from a lifetime of abuse can be the quicksand that keeps some held hostage emotionally to bad relationships.
July 9, 2022
Why Does a Woman Stay?
I am a voracious reader who happens to have been a social worker for over thirty years. I've never actually written a book review but, then, a book has never touched me the way "Written" did. Ms. Lee tells an honest, heart-breaking story that painfully and clearly lays out the seemingly unfathomable reasons a woman will chose to enter into, and remain in, a relationship that is clearly abusive and dangerous. In most cases, it takes years of training, usually by a family of origin, for a woman to become devoid of self-esteem and bereft of self-love. The result of complete loss of self can be calamitous. I am so grateful that Ms. Lee chose the only possible happy ending to her story - the triumph of love.
I am a voracious reader who happens to have been a social worker for over thirty years. I've never actually written a book review but, then, a book has never touched me the way "Written" did. Ms. Lee tells an honest, heart-breaking story that painfully and clearly lays out the seemingly unfathomable reasons a woman will chose to enter into, and remain in, a relationship that is clearly abusive and dangerous. In most cases, it takes years of training, usually by a family of origin, for a woman to become devoid of self-esteem and bereft of self-love. The result of complete loss of self can be calamitous. I am so grateful that Ms. Lee chose the only possible happy ending to her story - the triumph of love.
May 18, 2021
There are no choices
This would have to be one of the best books I have read.Although the violence ,that the women were expected to accept as a part of marriage, the way a woman was expected to do as she was told or else was hard to read ,and believe that this was part or the Muslim culture ,and partly still exists in the Muslim faith . Elenor was a very strong person who through all of the abuse and heartache she endured still new deep in her heart ,mainly through her encounters with her unbeknown to her at that time her real mother . She instilled in elenor the true meaning of love ,and gave her the strength to believe in herself and fight for a better life that she knew deep down she deserved and was worthy of .
This would have to be one of the best books I have read.Although the violence ,that the women were expected to accept as a part of marriage, the way a woman was expected to do as she was told or else was hard to read ,and believe that this was part or the Muslim culture ,and partly still exists in the Muslim faith . Elenor was a very strong person who through all of the abuse and heartache she endured still new deep in her heart ,mainly through her encounters with her unbeknown to her at that time her real mother . She instilled in elenor the true meaning of love ,and gave her the strength to believe in herself and fight for a better life that she knew deep down she deserved and was worthy of .
September 24, 2021
Wow, what a fascinating story about being brought up female in a Muslim family living in England.
I couldn't put this book down. It was a cliffhanger. Her entrapment in a culture that gives women no rights or safety was something she had to find a way to escape from.
Imagine living in England and then being told you might have to move to Bangladesh at 16 to marry a man twice your age unless you can trick your parents into letting you go to college? And then even afterwards the pressure to marry a Muslim man to please your parents is unrelenting. How does it work out? You have to read this book to see what happens!
I couldn't put this book down. It was a cliffhanger. Her entrapment in a culture that gives women no rights or safety was something she had to find a way to escape from.
Imagine living in England and then being told you might have to move to Bangladesh at 16 to marry a man twice your age unless you can trick your parents into letting you go to college? And then even afterwards the pressure to marry a Muslim man to please your parents is unrelenting. How does it work out? You have to read this book to see what happens!
November 10, 2021
Learning that Love is Unconditional
This was a good read. It was some story to tell! Hate, Betrayal, False Values, Religious Intolerance, Lies & Hidden Violence, How could the Generation after Generation do these atrocious things to their Female Children! All the Pain these young woman faced and suffered in silenced. All in the name of Honour & love! Think there is something terribly wrong with these kinds of Religious Societies that would do this kind of thing! Honour should work for both genders equally! How these warped ideas of Men & Women destroy lives. Love should be mainly unconditional
This was a good read. It was some story to tell! Hate, Betrayal, False Values, Religious Intolerance, Lies & Hidden Violence, How could the Generation after Generation do these atrocious things to their Female Children! All the Pain these young woman faced and suffered in silenced. All in the name of Honour & love! Think there is something terribly wrong with these kinds of Religious Societies that would do this kind of thing! Honour should work for both genders equally! How these warped ideas of Men & Women destroy lives. Love should be mainly unconditional
May 22, 2022
Written
It was hard in the beginning to understand people 's beliefs of an other cultures,but the more I read the book, the more I began to understand. I soon began to feel so sorry for the the girl. Sometimes I would get mad because she wouldn't stand up for self, why took the abuse from her husband, his family,as well as well as her own family, but as I got further into they were à book began to see more and more how person can be beaten down by trying to please every one and having no self esteem for themselves This was a fantastic book. So glad everything turned out like did Say up many nights reading for hours and enjoyed every minute.
Looking
It was hard in the beginning to understand people 's beliefs of an other cultures,but the more I read the book, the more I began to understand. I soon began to feel so sorry for the the girl. Sometimes I would get mad because she wouldn't stand up for self, why took the abuse from her husband, his family,as well as well as her own family, but as I got further into they were à book began to see more and more how person can be beaten down by trying to please every one and having no self esteem for themselves This was a fantastic book. So glad everything turned out like did Say up many nights reading for hours and enjoyed every minute.
Looking
December 20, 2020
Wow! A total page turner. As a British south Asian, I could relate with Eleanor in so many aspects and felt every word.
A very emotional intense read but brilliant. Stuck between 2 worlds, western and eastern...being careful of not bringing shame on family...being taught how to cook by my mother in order to prepare me for marriage...not allowed boyfriends especially if they were different caste/religion but yet falling in love..pressure of marriage, all this I could relate to. Also the bit of having a brilliant job and career but means nothing if you are not married. Beautifully written.
A very emotional intense read but brilliant. Stuck between 2 worlds, western and eastern...being careful of not bringing shame on family...being taught how to cook by my mother in order to prepare me for marriage...not allowed boyfriends especially if they were different caste/religion but yet falling in love..pressure of marriage, all this I could relate to. Also the bit of having a brilliant job and career but means nothing if you are not married. Beautifully written.
October 29, 2022
I really did love this book. The author has wonderful writing and it kept me interested from beginning to end. I actually looked forward to reading it when I had to put it down. I'm torn between a 4 or 5 star and it simply boils down to reader preferences. I didn't feel like the book needed to be as long as it was. The author would repeat herself and go into excessive detail during some parts. All in all, I loved the story line of the book and getting a glimpse of culture and personal struggles made for a great read.
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