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Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun
Bored college student Suchu, longing to get away from her squabbling parents, leaves India for Norway and the Vestby Folk High School, taking a leap into the unknown.
Shy but inquisitive, Suchu often finds herself the centre of attention, exotic among the students, from all over the world. She takes advantage of this, learning to enjoy others' interest in her, finding new friends and an oddly ambivalent relationship with her roommate, Catherine, whose boyfriend Suchu covets.
Through correspondence more frank than conversation ever was, Suchu learns about herself and her parents and they grow closer, now they are apart. The young girl falls in love with Norway, but she also discovers the darker side of freedom. Where do her terrible dreams come from? Why has her roommate left?
Norway's magic casts its spell on Suchu and she doesn't want to leave, but can her Indian roots compete with those she wishes to put down in Norway?
Shy but inquisitive, Suchu often finds herself the centre of attention, exotic among the students, from all over the world. She takes advantage of this, learning to enjoy others' interest in her, finding new friends and an oddly ambivalent relationship with her roommate, Catherine, whose boyfriend Suchu covets.
Through correspondence more frank than conversation ever was, Suchu learns about herself and her parents and they grow closer, now they are apart. The young girl falls in love with Norway, but she also discovers the darker side of freedom. Where do her terrible dreams come from? Why has her roommate left?
Norway's magic casts its spell on Suchu and she doesn't want to leave, but can her Indian roots compete with those she wishes to put down in Norway?
332 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 9, 2019
Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun is a contemporary fiction novel set in India and Norway. The protagonist Suchareeta a.k.a. Suchu gets an opportunity to escape her Indian household and move to beautiful Norway for her education. There she gets to know the implicit aspect of her personality and explores it well along with traversing and befriending Norway. She makes friends, she falls in love, she fights her inner battles, she realizes the value of her family back home, and she identifies her true self.
I have absolutely enjoyed reading this novel. Although I am not much of a fan of Young Adult, I really liked how the author has painted Suchu's picture. With vivid details of the characters and artistic description of Suchu's journey all the way from India to Norway, the book manages to grab the reader's attention completely. The author had captured the beauty and culture of Norway delightfully with her wonderful expression. I loved the prose as much as I admired carved out images of Suchu's emotional turmoil. And the one thing I loved the most was the switching of the prose between descriptive narration to the epistolatory format. I absolutely adore the handwritten letters and the beauty contained in them and here, the author won my heart. How gracefully the emotions traversed through words and made their way across countries. Stupendous!
Also, I instantly felt amazing about the intricate details of each character that has been served to the readers. It made me connect with the story. I really felt nice about the overall narration and coherence of the narrative. The ending did come abruptly to me and I found it difficult to gulp it down but nevertheless, the book could be picked for breezy but immersive reading.
I have absolutely enjoyed reading this novel. Although I am not much of a fan of Young Adult, I really liked how the author has painted Suchu's picture. With vivid details of the characters and artistic description of Suchu's journey all the way from India to Norway, the book manages to grab the reader's attention completely. The author had captured the beauty and culture of Norway delightfully with her wonderful expression. I loved the prose as much as I admired carved out images of Suchu's emotional turmoil. And the one thing I loved the most was the switching of the prose between descriptive narration to the epistolatory format. I absolutely adore the handwritten letters and the beauty contained in them and here, the author won my heart. How gracefully the emotions traversed through words and made their way across countries. Stupendous!
Also, I instantly felt amazing about the intricate details of each character that has been served to the readers. It made me connect with the story. I really felt nice about the overall narration and coherence of the narrative. The ending did come abruptly to me and I found it difficult to gulp it down but nevertheless, the book could be picked for breezy but immersive reading.
November 9, 2019
Firstly, I am back to reading properly and writing reviews after a very long time. So, pretty happy coming back to one of those things that I loved doing the most. And, I am happy that I came back with a good book. This is a beautiful fictional story and I give it 4 stars out of 5. Here is my review of it:-
The story backdrop is based in India and Norway with its protagonist named Suchareeta or Suchu. She got an opportunity to study in Norway which she instantly grabs as she did not want to miss the golden opportunity. Since this story is based in the olden times, there is an exchange of letters between Suchu and her parents which is the highlight of this book. The letters have been beautifully written and highlight various aspects of human emotions in a way that readers can comprehend them easily. There are various aspects of this simple girl and she discovers herself while she is away from her family in a completely new world.
I did not like the cover of this book much as I had expected a boring read because the cover was too simple for me. Thank God that I did not drop the idea of reading this beautiful book because of its cover. The title is good and the story is beautiful. Above all that, the narration of this book is amazing which makes it a great book to go for.
If you are looking forward to reading a beautiful story, you can go for this book.
Cover- 3 / 5
Narration- 5 / 5
Plot- 4 / 5
Title- 4 / 5
Overall- 4 / 5
The story backdrop is based in India and Norway with its protagonist named Suchareeta or Suchu. She got an opportunity to study in Norway which she instantly grabs as she did not want to miss the golden opportunity. Since this story is based in the olden times, there is an exchange of letters between Suchu and her parents which is the highlight of this book. The letters have been beautifully written and highlight various aspects of human emotions in a way that readers can comprehend them easily. There are various aspects of this simple girl and she discovers herself while she is away from her family in a completely new world.
I did not like the cover of this book much as I had expected a boring read because the cover was too simple for me. Thank God that I did not drop the idea of reading this beautiful book because of its cover. The title is good and the story is beautiful. Above all that, the narration of this book is amazing which makes it a great book to go for.
If you are looking forward to reading a beautiful story, you can go for this book.
Cover- 3 / 5
Narration- 5 / 5
Plot- 4 / 5
Title- 4 / 5
Overall- 4 / 5
November 10, 2019
This is a story of an Indian girl Suchu who finds her way in Norway while pursuing her higher education, making friends and getting absorbed in their stories. It is a book of self discovery and acquiring courage through the course of experiences. As a fan of letters, I really loved Suchu's letters to her mother especially the ones describing her deserving independence which would resonate with most of us (It did with me). The descriptions were vivid and so real that it felt almost like living through Natesan's words (that's what a good book does). All the more, the wanting of love and clarity is what best describes Suchu and the way Natesan has bought every uncomfortable thoughts into a positive light was obtrusive. I would say it's a great way of storytelling style and I really enjoyed it. I have had experiences with staying away from home and how 'grass is greener on the other side' reflects and affect while going through the process. so I could exactly get what goes inside Suchu's mind and how she feels at home which is actually not her home. Every experience teach us something and the same goes to Suchu. She has learnt and found her way. It would be great even if there's a second part to this.
October 31, 2019
An engrossing story
A story that builds up slowly in a foreign land...slowly unfolds and holds you engrossed till you are lost in the tale..an interesting story
A story that builds up slowly in a foreign land...slowly unfolds and holds you engrossed till you are lost in the tale..an interesting story
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September 23, 2019NAKED UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN, is a delightful book of self- discovery, dedicated, as the author says, to all her “Norwegian Friends who feature in this saga. To Vestby town and to my beautiful family and friends, who believe in my ability to tell a story.”
Yes, Natesan does have the ability to tell a story and the reader sees it in the uncluttered stokes of her pen, her deft delineation of characters, the avoiding of needless verbosity, and beautiful and detailed descriptions of nature, which pull the reader right on to the scene where the story is being unfolded . It had always been my desire to visit Norway someday and reading this book, and traversing the beautiful spots with the author, has given me enough vicarious fare, to keep going back to.
The moment she steps out of the car on foreign land, a deep contentment suffused her entire being as she gazed “at the big, brown house at the edge of a verdant hillock, bountiful, in the light of the lamps that shone off its turf, and her heart swelled. Her mind swiftly snipped off the vision of her Indian home, and Bhuvan went up in smoke.” P 20
These descriptions of her first glimpses of the ‘big, brown house’ in Vesby, Norway are enchantingly juxtaposed against her memories of the veranda of her Indian home , where , “At 9 a.m., streaming morning sunlight, gradually sweeping in through the jaali had spread, molten gold, upon the tea-cozy and over the furniture, burning up the dampness of the previous night’s drizzle. A dewy Saturday morning, chirping birds, perfectly brewed tea, and Suchareeta, their 21-year-old daughter, asleep in bed. Marie biscuits and lightly buttered toast sat upon the china waiting for the Bagchi couple to dig in. Meera gently nibbled at the biscuits, as she stirred the sugar in her teacup unmindfully. p 39
The novel vibrates with interesting characters, which leave the reader holding on to them, long after the story is over – the American Steven, with his flamboyant style of teaching, his Norwegian affable wife Hilde and their four children,[ two of them adopted], her roommate , Christine with whom she shares a love- hate relationship , and Sam, Christine’s boyfriend, whom she covets for some time , Sven , who later , she becomes very close to, Marit with her shock of auburn hair, thirty year old Beyram, Gunn and Ivar , the unflinchingly forthright , Elin – one grows to love all of them.
The Bagchi family, like any other Indian family, is brimming over with their fads, foibles, eccentricities, quirks and weaknesses, a grumpy affability and an apparently begrudging love, under the surface of their apparent nonchalance. The gypsy spirited, Suchareeta, aka Suchu, aching to fly the coop, away from her perennially squabbling parents, manages to take the plunge into alien terrain, finding herself in Vestby Folk High School, Vestby town, Norway.
With this sojourn also starts a journey of self- discovery, as she finds herself evolving every day, realizing many things, getting to grow comfortable with many things, mulling over certain issues, forcing her to ‘look closely at her own life, which suddenly seemed bereft of any deep connections.’ P 98 She contemplated a lot , wondering whether she had been a mere pendulum, pushed hither and thither , with no meaning in life .Questioning her earlier beliefs, hovering between anger and disbelief, she felt very helpless.
Once in Norway, she spends many sleepless nights, missing her parents, making her tearfully uncomfortable, wondering how they would survive her absence, unhappy that dinnertime wouldn’t be the same without her, but hoping that the magical aura would hold them, and maybe that the care and concern that she felt for them, would transform into something more tangible . She also misses her friend and confidante, Beenu, often feeling sad to see herself as a bone of contention between her parents. At the memory of home, she is overwhelmed by negative thoughts, and even while on a spiritual journey in the woods, she feels an overwhelming feeling of desolation. [p 88]. In one of her letters to her mother she writes,
“I was the tree stump, on which you sharpened your saws.” 157
The editing is crisp and impeccable, the writer has an effortless style, and at times the words seem to dance smoothly on paper, not a word appears to be out of place, there is not a dull moment. Oscillating easily between scenes of her home in India and scenes from Norway, the reader enjoys every moment thoroughly. In an exchange of letters between her parents, she expresses her doubts, giving vent to her grievances against them.
It is during the exchange of letters, that her parents and Suchu come closer than they ever were, in India. In one of her letters, her mother, Meera writes, that writing has proved to be cathartic and the mutual exchange of letters have cleared the cobwebs of misunderstandings ,
“As the length of the days grows longer, so do the shadows, only to recede and return, in an unerring pattern that one either recognizes, or ignores. We chose to ignore the lengthening of our days for many years, and suddenly, when it was time to come together for your sake, we did, did we not? P 130.
In her letter to her mother she complains,
“I was the tree stump, on which you sharpened your saws.” 157
When confronted with a major decision in her life, she wants to discuss things with her teacher, Stevan with whom she has developed a sense of trust and he tells her succinctly, “Look how the woods have grown, one tree after another. Who knew that all it took was one man’s wish to green the land, and a dense wood, oxygenating the villages around, came about. So dear girl, who knows what you are in for, what seeds have been sown in you? Life is an adventure, if that’s what you wanna make of it.”p 302 “Go with the flow of your heart”, he reiterates with conviction.
As she makes forays into the inner reaches of Norway, she also manages to look within the innermost recesses of her being –caught between the love of India, her squabbling parents, her doubts and apprehensions. The love and warmth that she receives in Vestby gives her a heightened sense of self-worth, making her gloat, ‘so what if Meera and Baba had been less loving in her infancy, she was a wanted girl now.”p 312
In another of her letters, her mother tries to convince her, “but your heart is here, that I know without the shadow of doubt. Look within. You love India in spite of its difficulties, despite its myriad problems. Shona, you are right now in the grips of the lure of a foreign country and yes, Norway, your first port, has woven its magic upon you. So be it.” P 327
She has taken a major decision in her life, but there are new discoveries, new adventures at every bend of life. Her mother’s letter is metaphorical indicative of the many more self- discoveries – many hidden corners and crevices of her soul that might be unraveled in the future.
In the last chapter, [Return of the Indian], the prodigal returns, and things apparently appear the same, although there have been changes in her absence. There have been positive changes in her life, and there have been changes at the home front too, and life goes on.
“The radio was playing tunelessly, and Meera was pouring tea and buttering toast. Sunrays streamed into the verandah, still mellow.”
A book highly recommended for the beautiful pen –paintings of picturesque Norway, effortless diction and endearing characters which help the protagonist in her journey of self- discovery, and, I am sure, will help the reader too. - Dr. Santosh Bakaya
Academician- poet- novelist -biographer -editor- essayist - Tedx Speaker .
Yes, Natesan does have the ability to tell a story and the reader sees it in the uncluttered stokes of her pen, her deft delineation of characters, the avoiding of needless verbosity, and beautiful and detailed descriptions of nature, which pull the reader right on to the scene where the story is being unfolded . It had always been my desire to visit Norway someday and reading this book, and traversing the beautiful spots with the author, has given me enough vicarious fare, to keep going back to.
The moment she steps out of the car on foreign land, a deep contentment suffused her entire being as she gazed “at the big, brown house at the edge of a verdant hillock, bountiful, in the light of the lamps that shone off its turf, and her heart swelled. Her mind swiftly snipped off the vision of her Indian home, and Bhuvan went up in smoke.” P 20
These descriptions of her first glimpses of the ‘big, brown house’ in Vesby, Norway are enchantingly juxtaposed against her memories of the veranda of her Indian home , where , “At 9 a.m., streaming morning sunlight, gradually sweeping in through the jaali had spread, molten gold, upon the tea-cozy and over the furniture, burning up the dampness of the previous night’s drizzle. A dewy Saturday morning, chirping birds, perfectly brewed tea, and Suchareeta, their 21-year-old daughter, asleep in bed. Marie biscuits and lightly buttered toast sat upon the china waiting for the Bagchi couple to dig in. Meera gently nibbled at the biscuits, as she stirred the sugar in her teacup unmindfully. p 39
The novel vibrates with interesting characters, which leave the reader holding on to them, long after the story is over – the American Steven, with his flamboyant style of teaching, his Norwegian affable wife Hilde and their four children,[ two of them adopted], her roommate , Christine with whom she shares a love- hate relationship , and Sam, Christine’s boyfriend, whom she covets for some time , Sven , who later , she becomes very close to, Marit with her shock of auburn hair, thirty year old Beyram, Gunn and Ivar , the unflinchingly forthright , Elin – one grows to love all of them.
The Bagchi family, like any other Indian family, is brimming over with their fads, foibles, eccentricities, quirks and weaknesses, a grumpy affability and an apparently begrudging love, under the surface of their apparent nonchalance. The gypsy spirited, Suchareeta, aka Suchu, aching to fly the coop, away from her perennially squabbling parents, manages to take the plunge into alien terrain, finding herself in Vestby Folk High School, Vestby town, Norway.
With this sojourn also starts a journey of self- discovery, as she finds herself evolving every day, realizing many things, getting to grow comfortable with many things, mulling over certain issues, forcing her to ‘look closely at her own life, which suddenly seemed bereft of any deep connections.’ P 98 She contemplated a lot , wondering whether she had been a mere pendulum, pushed hither and thither , with no meaning in life .Questioning her earlier beliefs, hovering between anger and disbelief, she felt very helpless.
Once in Norway, she spends many sleepless nights, missing her parents, making her tearfully uncomfortable, wondering how they would survive her absence, unhappy that dinnertime wouldn’t be the same without her, but hoping that the magical aura would hold them, and maybe that the care and concern that she felt for them, would transform into something more tangible . She also misses her friend and confidante, Beenu, often feeling sad to see herself as a bone of contention between her parents. At the memory of home, she is overwhelmed by negative thoughts, and even while on a spiritual journey in the woods, she feels an overwhelming feeling of desolation. [p 88]. In one of her letters to her mother she writes,
“I was the tree stump, on which you sharpened your saws.” 157
The editing is crisp and impeccable, the writer has an effortless style, and at times the words seem to dance smoothly on paper, not a word appears to be out of place, there is not a dull moment. Oscillating easily between scenes of her home in India and scenes from Norway, the reader enjoys every moment thoroughly. In an exchange of letters between her parents, she expresses her doubts, giving vent to her grievances against them.
It is during the exchange of letters, that her parents and Suchu come closer than they ever were, in India. In one of her letters, her mother, Meera writes, that writing has proved to be cathartic and the mutual exchange of letters have cleared the cobwebs of misunderstandings ,
“As the length of the days grows longer, so do the shadows, only to recede and return, in an unerring pattern that one either recognizes, or ignores. We chose to ignore the lengthening of our days for many years, and suddenly, when it was time to come together for your sake, we did, did we not? P 130.
In her letter to her mother she complains,
“I was the tree stump, on which you sharpened your saws.” 157
When confronted with a major decision in her life, she wants to discuss things with her teacher, Stevan with whom she has developed a sense of trust and he tells her succinctly, “Look how the woods have grown, one tree after another. Who knew that all it took was one man’s wish to green the land, and a dense wood, oxygenating the villages around, came about. So dear girl, who knows what you are in for, what seeds have been sown in you? Life is an adventure, if that’s what you wanna make of it.”p 302 “Go with the flow of your heart”, he reiterates with conviction.
As she makes forays into the inner reaches of Norway, she also manages to look within the innermost recesses of her being –caught between the love of India, her squabbling parents, her doubts and apprehensions. The love and warmth that she receives in Vestby gives her a heightened sense of self-worth, making her gloat, ‘so what if Meera and Baba had been less loving in her infancy, she was a wanted girl now.”p 312
In another of her letters, her mother tries to convince her, “but your heart is here, that I know without the shadow of doubt. Look within. You love India in spite of its difficulties, despite its myriad problems. Shona, you are right now in the grips of the lure of a foreign country and yes, Norway, your first port, has woven its magic upon you. So be it.” P 327
She has taken a major decision in her life, but there are new discoveries, new adventures at every bend of life. Her mother’s letter is metaphorical indicative of the many more self- discoveries – many hidden corners and crevices of her soul that might be unraveled in the future.
In the last chapter, [Return of the Indian], the prodigal returns, and things apparently appear the same, although there have been changes in her absence. There have been positive changes in her life, and there have been changes at the home front too, and life goes on.
“The radio was playing tunelessly, and Meera was pouring tea and buttering toast. Sunrays streamed into the verandah, still mellow.”
A book highly recommended for the beautiful pen –paintings of picturesque Norway, effortless diction and endearing characters which help the protagonist in her journey of self- discovery, and, I am sure, will help the reader too. - Dr. Santosh Bakaya
Academician- poet- novelist -biographer -editor- essayist - Tedx Speaker .
March 14, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! It did not take long for me to connect with Suchu and her journey. I felt her excitement, her falling in love with her host country, her wanting to explore relationships, her quietly observing every classmate and gradually being able to discover herself through her letters to her parents. The author makes you walk Suchu's path with her, beside her, cheering her discoveries and worrying for her during her errors in judgement. The supporting characters are perfectly placed so that the reader sticks with Suchu's decision making process. Honest and non-judgemental. Highly recommend.
August 8, 2021
It’s my debut novel so all I can say is today I would have written it differently.
How? I’m unsure but I would do away with some of the chapters, make it tighter and infuse it with more of what Suchareeta imagines to be the truth, as opposed to what we see to be the truth. Some more fun elements perhaps.
I would also like her to be happily back in her country with the new knowledge of experience acquired via her travels.
hHere’s a lot more to be said as well as a lot less. But for now, I’m glad this novel is out there.
How? I’m unsure but I would do away with some of the chapters, make it tighter and infuse it with more of what Suchareeta imagines to be the truth, as opposed to what we see to be the truth. Some more fun elements perhaps.
I would also like her to be happily back in her country with the new knowledge of experience acquired via her travels.
hHere’s a lot more to be said as well as a lot less. But for now, I’m glad this novel is out there.
October 8, 2019
Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun is a picturesque novel. It narrates the journey of Suchu, a young girl who grows into an adult during her stay in Norway, beautifully-written with vivid descriptions of the people, the places and emotions. The beauty of the book is in the comparison Suchu constantly makes, between India and Norway, be it the roads, the mornings and the way young people think and act. It takes us to Snow-filled pathways in Norway and also to simple noisy, chirpy mornings of an Indian household.
Suchu goes to study at Folmo Folk High School, Vestby, Norway. The relationship with her parents and housekeeper/confidante, Beenu is narrated to us through strong-emotional letters, which is something I loved about the book. The truthful letters I call them.
In Norway, she makes friends who become her family. The description of the students, their introduction gives us an insight about the heterogeneous crowd at an educational institution. The questions they ask her give her an insight about herself. Talking to them, sharing her stories with them, forces Suchu to discover herself. The decisions she takes are all hers, she is all grown up, but vulnerable. Sometimes she takes the wrong decisions, but has the confidence to face it. Her alter ego is something I enjoyed reading about and you must grab a copy immediately to discover yours.
The writing is woven into images, each character is deep, be it Christine, Suchu’s room-mate, Sam, Christine’s boyfriend, who Suchu felt drawn towards initially. Her friends, the Indians at Norway, are described well. I particularly liked the visit Suchu made to the Indian family in the end. “After all, back in India, with all the help in the world, would they have been content?” Suchu had grown up and “she asked herself, what choices would be the right ones for her? There was no way she could foretell where it might lead.”
The language is simple and it flows right from the author’s heart, it is real, this could be anybody’s thoughts.
This book is a must-read for all parents, students especially the ones wanting to study away from home. I suggest the book be discussed at the various literature and book-clubs at the educational institutions to help students understand themselves better. It acts a guide to parents who are caught up in the daily grind. Counsellors too must read this book; it offers myriad emotions.
I read Naked beneath the Midnight Sun twice and will go for another read soon. There is enough in the novel that talks about the kind of life one leads, and the choices one makes, inadvertently or consciously. I was thrilled that it ended well.
Suchu goes to study at Folmo Folk High School, Vestby, Norway. The relationship with her parents and housekeeper/confidante, Beenu is narrated to us through strong-emotional letters, which is something I loved about the book. The truthful letters I call them.
In Norway, she makes friends who become her family. The description of the students, their introduction gives us an insight about the heterogeneous crowd at an educational institution. The questions they ask her give her an insight about herself. Talking to them, sharing her stories with them, forces Suchu to discover herself. The decisions she takes are all hers, she is all grown up, but vulnerable. Sometimes she takes the wrong decisions, but has the confidence to face it. Her alter ego is something I enjoyed reading about and you must grab a copy immediately to discover yours.
The writing is woven into images, each character is deep, be it Christine, Suchu’s room-mate, Sam, Christine’s boyfriend, who Suchu felt drawn towards initially. Her friends, the Indians at Norway, are described well. I particularly liked the visit Suchu made to the Indian family in the end. “After all, back in India, with all the help in the world, would they have been content?” Suchu had grown up and “she asked herself, what choices would be the right ones for her? There was no way she could foretell where it might lead.”
The language is simple and it flows right from the author’s heart, it is real, this could be anybody’s thoughts.
This book is a must-read for all parents, students especially the ones wanting to study away from home. I suggest the book be discussed at the various literature and book-clubs at the educational institutions to help students understand themselves better. It acts a guide to parents who are caught up in the daily grind. Counsellors too must read this book; it offers myriad emotions.
I read Naked beneath the Midnight Sun twice and will go for another read soon. There is enough in the novel that talks about the kind of life one leads, and the choices one makes, inadvertently or consciously. I was thrilled that it ended well.
October 19, 2019
Self discovery in Norway
We were given a review copy of Kamalini Natesan's coming of age story, Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun, and dived straight into it. What we found interesting was that stories of self-discovery usually involve the protagonist moving from a small town to a larger city. But Kamalini has taken the benefit of a Bengali Indian heritage and her own experiences in Norway to tell the story of young Suchu (Suchareeta) Bagchi who moves from a metropolitan city, Delhi, in the mid 1980’s, to do a gap year at a college in the small town of Vestby, outside Oslo in Norway. The college is a melting pot of students from across the world and Suchu, who has never been away from home before, has to learn to deal with not just the local culture but with people from around the world. Not a girl who is easy to understand, her complex personality provides the reader with a very different perspective. Suchu’s mix of naivety and self possession are an interesting juxtaposition through which the reader sees her experiences.
Suchu comes across as a shy girl who is constantly looking for ways to discover the world around her and have new experiences. Being in a place very few Indians have visited before, she thrives on the attention she gets for her dusky looks and for the simple fact that she is a novelty. For this very reason she is invited by many of her classmates to visit their homes in different parts of Norway and spend holidays with them. Through her journeys across Norway, Suchu makes friends, learns about its food and falls in love with this uniquely quiet and beautiful country. Whilst at the same time, being away from home, for the first time, she also discovers herself and what she wants for herself. As quite often happens, the distance from home helps Suchu explore new relationships as well as provide her with a new perspective on her relationships back home.
The narrative is very descriptive and one can’t help but feel the author’s love for Norway and the experiences she herself gathered whilst staying in the country.
Our one grouse is that the story could have done with tighter and sharper editing which would have then made it a much smoother read. However, this a book that will definitely appeal to the younger generation who feel tied down by their roots and are chafing against the restraints of home to head out and explore the world.
We were given a review copy of Kamalini Natesan's coming of age story, Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun, and dived straight into it. What we found interesting was that stories of self-discovery usually involve the protagonist moving from a small town to a larger city. But Kamalini has taken the benefit of a Bengali Indian heritage and her own experiences in Norway to tell the story of young Suchu (Suchareeta) Bagchi who moves from a metropolitan city, Delhi, in the mid 1980’s, to do a gap year at a college in the small town of Vestby, outside Oslo in Norway. The college is a melting pot of students from across the world and Suchu, who has never been away from home before, has to learn to deal with not just the local culture but with people from around the world. Not a girl who is easy to understand, her complex personality provides the reader with a very different perspective. Suchu’s mix of naivety and self possession are an interesting juxtaposition through which the reader sees her experiences.
Suchu comes across as a shy girl who is constantly looking for ways to discover the world around her and have new experiences. Being in a place very few Indians have visited before, she thrives on the attention she gets for her dusky looks and for the simple fact that she is a novelty. For this very reason she is invited by many of her classmates to visit their homes in different parts of Norway and spend holidays with them. Through her journeys across Norway, Suchu makes friends, learns about its food and falls in love with this uniquely quiet and beautiful country. Whilst at the same time, being away from home, for the first time, she also discovers herself and what she wants for herself. As quite often happens, the distance from home helps Suchu explore new relationships as well as provide her with a new perspective on her relationships back home.
The narrative is very descriptive and one can’t help but feel the author’s love for Norway and the experiences she herself gathered whilst staying in the country.
Our one grouse is that the story could have done with tighter and sharper editing which would have then made it a much smoother read. However, this a book that will definitely appeal to the younger generation who feel tied down by their roots and are chafing against the restraints of home to head out and explore the world.
October 6, 2019
This novel can be called a garden of the five senses. It reads at a languorous pace, taking the reader into sylvan surroundings, a pastoral paean as it were. We can "see" the scenes, so visual are the descriptions.
The novel is set in India and Norway, around the mid eighties. Suchareeta, or Suchu for short is a young adult straining to break away from parental bonds to find her feet in a foreign land . She gets the opportunity to study in Norway for a year and jumps at it, aided by her parents in their own ways.
In discovering Norway she also discovers herself. How it all comes about forms the rest of the story.
The relationship between Suchu's parents is delineated delicately. The author's grasp of human relationships is admirable. She has her finger on the pulse of characters across countries and generations. The author has got every character's accent or dialect down pat. The finely nuanced differences in cultures are highlighted by juxtaposition.
The story illustrates how distance can sometimes bring you closer. Letters can express emotions which cannot be shown face to face. The letters exchanged between Suchu and her parents, showcase the feelings of both generations. Suchu's need to prove herself deserving of independence in a letter to her mother, stands out beautifully, and is topical. Maybe parents whose children are straining at the leash, can get some perspective with this. In another instance, Bhuvan's letter is just right, mistakes and all!
The writing is peppered with unobtrusive homilies ("I dont fight, I simply resist the need to be right"; "The balm needed was in the listening of the tale")and unusual metaphors (" The wooden staircase accompanied her every step in the night, that went by unnoticed in the day.")
This is not a quick read, but one to be ruminated over. It is to be enjoyed like a symphony or an epicurean dish. The vocabulary is a delightful deviation from the usual "fast food" reads, yet does not send the reader running to the dictionary. Rather, the reading is like meeting old, nearly forgotten yet dear friends.
A few typos have crept in but nothing a round of editing cannot fix.
All in all an unusual, lyrical read.
The novel is set in India and Norway, around the mid eighties. Suchareeta, or Suchu for short is a young adult straining to break away from parental bonds to find her feet in a foreign land . She gets the opportunity to study in Norway for a year and jumps at it, aided by her parents in their own ways.
In discovering Norway she also discovers herself. How it all comes about forms the rest of the story.
The relationship between Suchu's parents is delineated delicately. The author's grasp of human relationships is admirable. She has her finger on the pulse of characters across countries and generations. The author has got every character's accent or dialect down pat. The finely nuanced differences in cultures are highlighted by juxtaposition.
The story illustrates how distance can sometimes bring you closer. Letters can express emotions which cannot be shown face to face. The letters exchanged between Suchu and her parents, showcase the feelings of both generations. Suchu's need to prove herself deserving of independence in a letter to her mother, stands out beautifully, and is topical. Maybe parents whose children are straining at the leash, can get some perspective with this. In another instance, Bhuvan's letter is just right, mistakes and all!
The writing is peppered with unobtrusive homilies ("I dont fight, I simply resist the need to be right"; "The balm needed was in the listening of the tale")and unusual metaphors (" The wooden staircase accompanied her every step in the night, that went by unnoticed in the day.")
This is not a quick read, but one to be ruminated over. It is to be enjoyed like a symphony or an epicurean dish. The vocabulary is a delightful deviation from the usual "fast food" reads, yet does not send the reader running to the dictionary. Rather, the reading is like meeting old, nearly forgotten yet dear friends.
A few typos have crept in but nothing a round of editing cannot fix.
All in all an unusual, lyrical read.
October 22, 2019
Suchus Journey to Norway and back .
I enjoyed reading Naked Beneath the midnight Sun by Kamalini Natesan for many reasons .
The book is about Suchus journey to Norway and back , her trials and tribulations in a place where she is the only Indian .
At times I resonated with Suchus journey especially when she says that as Indians we don’t travel on a cows back anymore .Also how the colour of her skin is celebrated abroad but not at home as in Norway her friends find her dark and pretty .
The book brought to light many misconceptions that people have about Indians living
abroad ,however the author has put it across in a very humourous manner ,where she mentions that she had not used a horse driven carriage or an elephant to go to school .
One can realise from the beginning of the novel the positive effects that the students with Suchu have on her as they are very accepting of her ,and this acceptance is exactly what Suchu has always craved for ,which she never got in India with her family .
The book is well written and speaks about diversity and also about the challenges faced by Suchu in a foreign land where she must become someone to prove to her parents that she is capable of chasing her dreams and turning them into a reality .Throughout the book Suchu seems to be grappling with issues with her family back home and feels a sense of rejection and regret even when she calls home and her parents don’t say that they miss her .
Suchu being abused at a young age and then taken out with new Indian friends who try to molest her speaks of her struggles and how she tries to overcome all her disturbing thoughts and fears when she finds true love in Sven .
As the book is a travelogue of Suchus journey to Norway and back ,it did take me a bit longer to read ,as generally with other fiction books there is a certain plot ,around which the story revolves .Not to say that this is negative ,as Suchu spoke about the people she met her experiences and travels in detail, hence the reader would need to follow all the characters mentioned .
I look forward to the authors second book and would like to congratulate her on her debut novel .
I enjoyed reading Naked Beneath the midnight Sun by Kamalini Natesan for many reasons .
The book is about Suchus journey to Norway and back , her trials and tribulations in a place where she is the only Indian .
At times I resonated with Suchus journey especially when she says that as Indians we don’t travel on a cows back anymore .Also how the colour of her skin is celebrated abroad but not at home as in Norway her friends find her dark and pretty .
The book brought to light many misconceptions that people have about Indians living
abroad ,however the author has put it across in a very humourous manner ,where she mentions that she had not used a horse driven carriage or an elephant to go to school .
One can realise from the beginning of the novel the positive effects that the students with Suchu have on her as they are very accepting of her ,and this acceptance is exactly what Suchu has always craved for ,which she never got in India with her family .
The book is well written and speaks about diversity and also about the challenges faced by Suchu in a foreign land where she must become someone to prove to her parents that she is capable of chasing her dreams and turning them into a reality .Throughout the book Suchu seems to be grappling with issues with her family back home and feels a sense of rejection and regret even when she calls home and her parents don’t say that they miss her .
Suchu being abused at a young age and then taken out with new Indian friends who try to molest her speaks of her struggles and how she tries to overcome all her disturbing thoughts and fears when she finds true love in Sven .
As the book is a travelogue of Suchus journey to Norway and back ,it did take me a bit longer to read ,as generally with other fiction books there is a certain plot ,around which the story revolves .Not to say that this is negative ,as Suchu spoke about the people she met her experiences and travels in detail, hence the reader would need to follow all the characters mentioned .
I look forward to the authors second book and would like to congratulate her on her debut novel .
November 15, 2019
Book Title: Naked beneath The Midnight Sun
Author: Kamalini Natesan
Format: Kindle
Book Title:
The title of the book ' Naked beneath The Midnight Sun' is very enticing, beautiful and novel.
Book Cover:
The cover image is a very beautiful picture of a woman sitting amidst valleys and a river/sea. The image is very fascinating.
Plot:
A letter changes Suchu's life. Though it looks very dramatic, this is the turning point of the story. Suchu's application gets was accepted in Folmo Folkehogskole, the folk high school. Hence her trip to Norway sets off. The travel is quite adventurous and she tastes every experience that teaches her life and the purpose of life. Though the plot sounds simple, there are many aspects involved in it.
What I like:
1. The storyline
2. The determination to achieve showcased by the protagonist Suchu is impressive
3. The enchanting description of the Norway country is the highlight
4. The concept of letters that I don't want to disclose here is very fascinating.
5. Deepest emotions that are hard to express always find a way to be showcased. Suchu in the story explores that.
6. It's a positive book that teaches many values that are to be imbibed in one's life.
What I didn't like:
There are no points to be disliked.
Characters:
Very laudable scripting of the characters is found.
Narration:
The narration if the soul of this story. The author has excelled in narrating every incident with extremely intrinsic details leaving the readers surprised which also includes Norwegian travel.
Language & Grammar:
Beautiful language, flawless grammar, and good vocabulary are observed.
My Final Verdict:
A relaxing book
Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Language & Grammar: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5
Author: Kamalini Natesan
Format: Kindle
Book Title:
The title of the book ' Naked beneath The Midnight Sun' is very enticing, beautiful and novel.
Book Cover:
The cover image is a very beautiful picture of a woman sitting amidst valleys and a river/sea. The image is very fascinating.
Plot:
A letter changes Suchu's life. Though it looks very dramatic, this is the turning point of the story. Suchu's application gets was accepted in Folmo Folkehogskole, the folk high school. Hence her trip to Norway sets off. The travel is quite adventurous and she tastes every experience that teaches her life and the purpose of life. Though the plot sounds simple, there are many aspects involved in it.
What I like:
1. The storyline
2. The determination to achieve showcased by the protagonist Suchu is impressive
3. The enchanting description of the Norway country is the highlight
4. The concept of letters that I don't want to disclose here is very fascinating.
5. Deepest emotions that are hard to express always find a way to be showcased. Suchu in the story explores that.
6. It's a positive book that teaches many values that are to be imbibed in one's life.
What I didn't like:
There are no points to be disliked.
Characters:
Very laudable scripting of the characters is found.
Narration:
The narration if the soul of this story. The author has excelled in narrating every incident with extremely intrinsic details leaving the readers surprised which also includes Norwegian travel.
Language & Grammar:
Beautiful language, flawless grammar, and good vocabulary are observed.
My Final Verdict:
A relaxing book
Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Language & Grammar: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5
November 19, 2019
So here i am with my first kindle review. I usually don't like to read e-books but i was blinded by curiosity and gave it a try.
#Plot- Suchareeta wanted to get away from her squabbling parents so she leaves India and lands in Folmo Folk High School in Vestby, Norway. Being the only indian girl there she enjoys all the attention she gets from other students. Slowly she learns their ways and also the language and make many friends at the school. She also secretly desires her roommate, Catherine's, boyfriend. She travels to many places in and around Norway along with her friends who invite her to their home. Being away from her parents made her think more and more of her past and her relationship with her parents. Through letters exchanged between them she feels like this is the most frank conversation she ever had with her parents, now that they are apart. Suchareeta falls in love with Norway so much that she makes her mind to stay here for the rest of her life. But will she be able to settle here all alone by herself?
#review - The title really piqued my curiosity and i knew i had to read it. The way the author has described everything the people and the places made it an interesting read. The details were tantalizing. I was transported to Norway for a good 3-4 days and i wish i could stay there forever 😁. This is the thing i love about books that they take you altogether to another world.The novel has a good pacing but in between it did get a bit boring. The best part about the book was the letters exchanged.The author has a way with words which will keep you engrossed in the book. The feelings/experiences of traveling alone to another country was well described by author The character Suchareeta was so relatable that you might find a bit of her in yourself. I somehow wasn't satisfied with how the book ended but overall it was a beautiful story.
#Plot- Suchareeta wanted to get away from her squabbling parents so she leaves India and lands in Folmo Folk High School in Vestby, Norway. Being the only indian girl there she enjoys all the attention she gets from other students. Slowly she learns their ways and also the language and make many friends at the school. She also secretly desires her roommate, Catherine's, boyfriend. She travels to many places in and around Norway along with her friends who invite her to their home. Being away from her parents made her think more and more of her past and her relationship with her parents. Through letters exchanged between them she feels like this is the most frank conversation she ever had with her parents, now that they are apart. Suchareeta falls in love with Norway so much that she makes her mind to stay here for the rest of her life. But will she be able to settle here all alone by herself?
#review - The title really piqued my curiosity and i knew i had to read it. The way the author has described everything the people and the places made it an interesting read. The details were tantalizing. I was transported to Norway for a good 3-4 days and i wish i could stay there forever 😁. This is the thing i love about books that they take you altogether to another world.The novel has a good pacing but in between it did get a bit boring. The best part about the book was the letters exchanged.The author has a way with words which will keep you engrossed in the book. The feelings/experiences of traveling alone to another country was well described by author The character Suchareeta was so relatable that you might find a bit of her in yourself. I somehow wasn't satisfied with how the book ended but overall it was a beautiful story.
November 7, 2019
Naked beneath the midnight sun
Author: Kamalini Natesan
Publisher: Olympia publisher
Format: paperback, kindle
Rating: 4/5
Genre: contemporary fiction
Plot :
This book revolves around the female protagonist Suchu who manage to get admission in a Norwegian university and get a chance to live her life with liberation away from her parents where she almost becomes a centre of attention. She makes tons of friends but once the loneliness strikes her she begins feeling homesick and starts missing her parents. The letters and conversations shared between her and her parents are very heart touching. Schu's journey from India to Norway and her stay in Norway is a roller coaster ride filled with emotions but later on, she encounters the darkness of the freedom in spite of which she is not ready to leave Norway but will it be possible for her to leave India forever?
Review:
We only realize the importance of a person or a thing when it's away from us. It's easy to dream but stepping out of one's own comfort zone is way difficult. When we are adults we wish to have some privacy in our lives and settle abroad but dreaming is easy but the reality is tough. Same were the dreams of Suchu but once she bumped into reality, the struggle begins, she realizes the importance of her family. The narration of the book is amazing and the plot is very relatable. This book has the ability to keep the reader hooked from beginning to the end. The writing style is very easy to understand and the characters and sentiments are heartfelt. The plot and the characters felt very realistic and I loved reading this book.
Author: Kamalini Natesan
Publisher: Olympia publisher
Format: paperback, kindle
Rating: 4/5
Genre: contemporary fiction
Plot :
This book revolves around the female protagonist Suchu who manage to get admission in a Norwegian university and get a chance to live her life with liberation away from her parents where she almost becomes a centre of attention. She makes tons of friends but once the loneliness strikes her she begins feeling homesick and starts missing her parents. The letters and conversations shared between her and her parents are very heart touching. Schu's journey from India to Norway and her stay in Norway is a roller coaster ride filled with emotions but later on, she encounters the darkness of the freedom in spite of which she is not ready to leave Norway but will it be possible for her to leave India forever?
Review:
We only realize the importance of a person or a thing when it's away from us. It's easy to dream but stepping out of one's own comfort zone is way difficult. When we are adults we wish to have some privacy in our lives and settle abroad but dreaming is easy but the reality is tough. Same were the dreams of Suchu but once she bumped into reality, the struggle begins, she realizes the importance of her family. The narration of the book is amazing and the plot is very relatable. This book has the ability to keep the reader hooked from beginning to the end. The writing style is very easy to understand and the characters and sentiments are heartfelt. The plot and the characters felt very realistic and I loved reading this book.
December 31, 2019
Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun follows the story of a girl named Suchu who gets the opportunity to travel to a small town in Norway, to attend a folk high school for a year. For those unfamiliar with the folk high school concept, it is a non-degree adult educational institution, found in places like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
This is Suchu's first time away from home, and is a unique coming of age story of a girl who might be a bit spoiled, sheltered and insecure. But in a strange new land, she has the chance to reinvent herself, and define the type of adult she will turn out to be.
It is also an immigrant experience story - often times it takes travel away from home to truly understand what one's home is, and this is true for Suchu as well. She experiences a world in which she is considered exotic, and that helps her find and identify her own beauty.
What really made this story for me was Suchu's character - she is so many contradictions in one person, and struggling to find herself. Her journey is beautiful and inspiring to watch unfold. We have all been at that awkward stage in our lives where we care too much about what people think about us, and are chained by invisible hangups and insecurities.
The only thing I would have wished for more of, is development of some of the other characters in greater depth - for instance, Catherine, Sven, Ivar, Marit, and some of her inner circle.
Kamalini Natesan is a talented voice I want to see much more of. Kudos to you! Glad I finally got to read this! :D
This is Suchu's first time away from home, and is a unique coming of age story of a girl who might be a bit spoiled, sheltered and insecure. But in a strange new land, she has the chance to reinvent herself, and define the type of adult she will turn out to be.
It is also an immigrant experience story - often times it takes travel away from home to truly understand what one's home is, and this is true for Suchu as well. She experiences a world in which she is considered exotic, and that helps her find and identify her own beauty.
What really made this story for me was Suchu's character - she is so many contradictions in one person, and struggling to find herself. Her journey is beautiful and inspiring to watch unfold. We have all been at that awkward stage in our lives where we care too much about what people think about us, and are chained by invisible hangups and insecurities.
The only thing I would have wished for more of, is development of some of the other characters in greater depth - for instance, Catherine, Sven, Ivar, Marit, and some of her inner circle.
Kamalini Natesan is a talented voice I want to see much more of. Kudos to you! Glad I finally got to read this! :D
October 21, 2019
Naked beneath the midnight sun reads like a travelogue on Norway. It is narrated by a young girl who is on the verge of discovering many new things in a foreign land, far away from the comfort of her home, family, food and friends. It is written beautifully by someone who obviously has good command over the English language. In places it even reminded me of the language I’ve read in the great classics ... a more refined version of what we speak or how we write today.
This is also probably why I felt cheated. I was expecting to be drowned in the throes of agony that the protagonist, Suchareeta, experiences as she lives her new life whilst remembering the pain from the wounds of her childhood and adolescence. In some instances where Suchu expresses the twisted side of her otherwise genial nature, my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know more. But, the writer only gives us a peek; she doesn’t delve headlong into the abyss, taking me with her. I’m only allowed to dip my toes into the surface of the waters ...
Going by all the accounts I’ve read of Norway, it is a country that leaves one awestruck with wonder. In reading Naked beneath the midnight sun, I caught myself traversing a countryside which left me with a sense of comfort and warmth whether it was with the landscapes , the people or the food.
This book is not a shot of espresso, it is a glass of wine that must be sniffed, sipped and rolled before letting it slide down.
This is also probably why I felt cheated. I was expecting to be drowned in the throes of agony that the protagonist, Suchareeta, experiences as she lives her new life whilst remembering the pain from the wounds of her childhood and adolescence. In some instances where Suchu expresses the twisted side of her otherwise genial nature, my curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know more. But, the writer only gives us a peek; she doesn’t delve headlong into the abyss, taking me with her. I’m only allowed to dip my toes into the surface of the waters ...
Going by all the accounts I’ve read of Norway, it is a country that leaves one awestruck with wonder. In reading Naked beneath the midnight sun, I caught myself traversing a countryside which left me with a sense of comfort and warmth whether it was with the landscapes , the people or the food.
This book is not a shot of espresso, it is a glass of wine that must be sniffed, sipped and rolled before letting it slide down.
October 19, 2019
The book is beautiful. Its a story of how suchu climbs the stairs of reality and changes into a stronger person. She falls, gets up, fight with her inner demons and finally takes a leap of faith. The narration is slow paced and plot well developed. All the characters are well developed and shows a brilliant work of character sketching. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. The description of places and characters are so perfect, that every time i read the book i felt i was in Folmo witnessing what suchu witnesses and feeling what suchu feels. The book made me smile, cry, laugh and happy. Towards the end of the book i wished there was more to read. I hope the author writes a part 2 of this book and tells us more about Suchu's married life, her struggles and adventures. My most favorite sections in the book was the letters, especially the one that never made it to the intended recipient. The letters spoke more than anything in the entire book.
I rate this book four out of five stars for making me fall in love with Norway and Suchu. This book is a work of modern Classic. The only piece of work it needs is a bit of editing. But the story is so beautiful it can be completely overlooked.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to everyone who love to read classics and is a fan of Contemporary Fiction. If you loved Norweign Woods by Haruki Murakami, you are definitely going to love this. You wont regret picking up this book. Its worth your time and money.
I rate this book four out of five stars for making me fall in love with Norway and Suchu. This book is a work of modern Classic. The only piece of work it needs is a bit of editing. But the story is so beautiful it can be completely overlooked.
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to everyone who love to read classics and is a fan of Contemporary Fiction. If you loved Norweign Woods by Haruki Murakami, you are definitely going to love this. You wont regret picking up this book. Its worth your time and money.
October 29, 2019
"Late evening, everyone congregated, this time around a cheery fireplace. Stories were exchanged, some true, some fiction."
Title- Naked Beneath The Midnight Sun
Author- Kamalini Natesan
My Review-
Have you ever thought of going out of your country and study abroad? That's what Suchu wanted. she got a chance to pursue her studies in Folk High School, Norway. It was like a dream for her.
This book describes how she discovers herself living far away from home. Being a debut novel, it is narrated beautifully. Once she gets settled, she starts to feel a sort of attraction towards her roommate's boyfriend. She meets people from different cultures. Although she starts to feel home, she misses her family, her land. Due to differences in cultures, she often found herself in a riot. The thing I like most about Suchu is that she used to write letters to her parents, telling them about her well being. The exchange of letters kept her close to her homeland.
I don't love this book, but yes I enjoyed it. I have never been away from home for studies, so reading about her experiences gave me sense an Idea of how it feels to be away from home.
Narration of the book is lucid. Easy to read. You can complete the book in 2-3 sittings. Nothing seems out of the place. Author has picturized Norway in really applaudable way. Story almost feel like it is a real story and author herself has experienced all those things.
Title- Naked Beneath The Midnight Sun
Author- Kamalini Natesan
My Review-
Have you ever thought of going out of your country and study abroad? That's what Suchu wanted. she got a chance to pursue her studies in Folk High School, Norway. It was like a dream for her.
This book describes how she discovers herself living far away from home. Being a debut novel, it is narrated beautifully. Once she gets settled, she starts to feel a sort of attraction towards her roommate's boyfriend. She meets people from different cultures. Although she starts to feel home, she misses her family, her land. Due to differences in cultures, she often found herself in a riot. The thing I like most about Suchu is that she used to write letters to her parents, telling them about her well being. The exchange of letters kept her close to her homeland.
I don't love this book, but yes I enjoyed it. I have never been away from home for studies, so reading about her experiences gave me sense an Idea of how it feels to be away from home.
Narration of the book is lucid. Easy to read. You can complete the book in 2-3 sittings. Nothing seems out of the place. Author has picturized Norway in really applaudable way. Story almost feel like it is a real story and author herself has experienced all those things.
December 29, 2019
"A captive bird’s heartbeat within her, her mind hammered on.
All right then Suchu, ‘tis time to fly. The moment hath arrived. Step off old ground and step on new terrain. Explore and discover new horizons, just as you yearned for. No scope for any fear to grip you now, is there? Go on, then… cheerio!" - Kamalini Natesan in 'Naked Beneath The Midnight Sun'
.
📝Being, the author's first novel, the writing is highly commendable as Kamalini Natesan vividly describes the beauty of Norway with picturesque landscapes.
.
📝The emotional turmoil in the lead protagonist, Suchareeta / Suchu is gracefully captured in words, which leave the reader with nostalgia of 'getting to know a dear friend'.
.
📝Just the way, a young bird wishes to fly off from its nest to soar the wide blue skies, Suchu longs to get away from her roots and her parents dysfunctional relationship and goes to Norway to study at the Vestby Folk High school.
.
📝She makes a lot of friends and meaningful relationships but, now
away from her parents, Suchu writes out her heart and is unapologetic in her letters seeking all the answers which she longed for an eternity, definitely a highlight for me in the novel.
.
📝I would rate it a 4/5🌟 and urge you to pick it up for a read. (Full review on my book blog - https://bookstacaketea.wordpress.com/ )
.
❤ I thank @half_baked_beans and the publisher @olympiapublishers for providing me with a copy for a honest review.
All right then Suchu, ‘tis time to fly. The moment hath arrived. Step off old ground and step on new terrain. Explore and discover new horizons, just as you yearned for. No scope for any fear to grip you now, is there? Go on, then… cheerio!" - Kamalini Natesan in 'Naked Beneath The Midnight Sun'
.
📝Being, the author's first novel, the writing is highly commendable as Kamalini Natesan vividly describes the beauty of Norway with picturesque landscapes.
.
📝The emotional turmoil in the lead protagonist, Suchareeta / Suchu is gracefully captured in words, which leave the reader with nostalgia of 'getting to know a dear friend'.
.
📝Just the way, a young bird wishes to fly off from its nest to soar the wide blue skies, Suchu longs to get away from her roots and her parents dysfunctional relationship and goes to Norway to study at the Vestby Folk High school.
.
📝She makes a lot of friends and meaningful relationships but, now
away from her parents, Suchu writes out her heart and is unapologetic in her letters seeking all the answers which she longed for an eternity, definitely a highlight for me in the novel.
.
📝I would rate it a 4/5🌟 and urge you to pick it up for a read. (Full review on my book blog - https://bookstacaketea.wordpress.com/ )
.
❤ I thank @half_baked_beans and the publisher @olympiapublishers for providing me with a copy for a honest review.
November 23, 2019
Naked beneath the midnight sun is one such relaxing and enjoying read. I always dreamt of studying & settling abroad but my love towards my parents, friend circle, to leave my nation behind and settle in a foreign land always made me bit emotional.
The story is of one such girl who wants to study abroad. Her dream does come true in the form of studying opportunity at Norway. Staying away from her parents, to adjust in another country with different culture, traditional made her feel nostalgic. She writes letters to her parents, describing her well being. Meanwhile she also starts liking her roommates's boyfriend.
The letters, her emotions into it are so beautifully penned. To sum up this book is an adventurous journey- an Odyssey of a simple girl, which teaches her some important life lessons.
The cover and title is simple and beautiful. Writing style of the author is unique. Book is overall beautifully penned.
The story is of one such girl who wants to study abroad. Her dream does come true in the form of studying opportunity at Norway. Staying away from her parents, to adjust in another country with different culture, traditional made her feel nostalgic. She writes letters to her parents, describing her well being. Meanwhile she also starts liking her roommates's boyfriend.
The letters, her emotions into it are so beautifully penned. To sum up this book is an adventurous journey- an Odyssey of a simple girl, which teaches her some important life lessons.
The cover and title is simple and beautiful. Writing style of the author is unique. Book is overall beautifully penned.
November 14, 2019
Knowing that experience is the best teacher it would not be wrong to say that a lot of risks come along with new experiences. While one might expect to continue looking at life with rose-tinted glasses, the reality is quite different. ‘Naked Beneath the Midnight Sun’ is more like a self-help book than fiction. It explores the journey of a young girl named Suchareeta, who embarks on an unplanned adventure. Believing that freedom is her chance to become better, she decides to take the plunge and head Norway for further education. Little does she know that freedom is actually the power to choose our own chains!
REad the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/book-review-n...
REad the complete review here: https://aliveshadow.com/book-review-n...
Read
November 8, 20191. The cultural perspectives are a great draw in the story
2. The spotlight on protagonist's journey, relationships and people makes it interesting
3. You'll love the way the whole story winds up, guessing about protagonist's love till the end.
4. The ending was abrupt. The flow of the story had a great rhythm and it just abruptly halts in the end. It leaves a jolt in reader's mind (I didn't expect the end in this way)
5. Like the cover, its melancholic yet beautiful in its way.
Overall, a beautiful read (except the ending). Go ahead and read about the fjords and the Norwegian culture; you'll love it!
2. The spotlight on protagonist's journey, relationships and people makes it interesting
3. You'll love the way the whole story winds up, guessing about protagonist's love till the end.
4. The ending was abrupt. The flow of the story had a great rhythm and it just abruptly halts in the end. It leaves a jolt in reader's mind (I didn't expect the end in this way)
5. Like the cover, its melancholic yet beautiful in its way.
Overall, a beautiful read (except the ending). Go ahead and read about the fjords and the Norwegian culture; you'll love it!
November 22, 2019
For an Indian student going abroad to study is all about hassle than a dream come true. Well, the protagonist of this story Suchareeta , a girl from a middle class Bengali family, has a lot to share with you about this.
Read and find out.
Being a debut author, KAMALINI has pulled off this book pretty well. I love how she has put efforts in describing minute details of the places in the book. This book is more of a self help than fiction. Its about self-discovery which I feel has a lot of relevance to almost everybody these days.
I didn’t find the story to be different than any other such books but I did have good time reading it.
Read and find out.
Being a debut author, KAMALINI has pulled off this book pretty well. I love how she has put efforts in describing minute details of the places in the book. This book is more of a self help than fiction. Its about self-discovery which I feel has a lot of relevance to almost everybody these days.
I didn’t find the story to be different than any other such books but I did have good time reading it.
November 25, 2019
A book filled with emotions of an Indian Girl who moves to Norway. In her letters to India Suchu brings out the beauty of the foreign land that becomes her home as she meets her love of life Sven. With every page, you flip you will start to live with Suchu and that's the beauty of the book.
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