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Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand
'We stood up for ourselves, Laila, when no one would... That's a victory.'
Laila Jagir, the daughter of the powerful councilman of the district of Rahat, has a flair for politics and has been raised with bold freedom. As she grows into a woman, she is unwilling to settle into a life of constraints. In the faraway district of Mahlah, Jasmine Mir's world has been shaped by her father's disappearance. Brought up by her conservative mother, she only knows how to suppress her own voice, not raise it. But when Jasmine leaves home to find her father and Laila gets married in a political trade-off, their fortunes reverse overnight and the two girls are brought together by fate.
After a momentous bill allowing women to be elected into the national council is proposed, Laila is convinced that life for her fellow countrywomen will change for the better only if their true representative takes office. And so begins the campaign of a lifetime, as Laila and Jasmine immerse themselves in a movement like none before to change the course of history. But they soon discover that politics is a dangerous game and that those in power will do anything to hold on to it.
A captivating story of two young women on a journey of self-discovery, Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand explores what it means to be brave when you stand to lose everything you hold dear for the sake of the greater good.
Laila Jagir, the daughter of the powerful councilman of the district of Rahat, has a flair for politics and has been raised with bold freedom. As she grows into a woman, she is unwilling to settle into a life of constraints. In the faraway district of Mahlah, Jasmine Mir's world has been shaped by her father's disappearance. Brought up by her conservative mother, she only knows how to suppress her own voice, not raise it. But when Jasmine leaves home to find her father and Laila gets married in a political trade-off, their fortunes reverse overnight and the two girls are brought together by fate.
After a momentous bill allowing women to be elected into the national council is proposed, Laila is convinced that life for her fellow countrywomen will change for the better only if their true representative takes office. And so begins the campaign of a lifetime, as Laila and Jasmine immerse themselves in a movement like none before to change the course of history. But they soon discover that politics is a dangerous game and that those in power will do anything to hold on to it.
A captivating story of two young women on a journey of self-discovery, Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand explores what it means to be brave when you stand to lose everything you hold dear for the sake of the greater good.
280 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2020
4 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews
March 21, 2021
It’s been weeks
That I’ve been trying to figure you out
But you’ve kept me on the surface
Sometimes ivory
Sometimes sand
- Akhil Katyal (the poem that inspired the title of the book)
Transported to a faraway land where two women, Jasmine and Laila come alive in a fictional place that is hidden, orthodox, backward and sometimes scary.
Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand very subtly and beautifully weaves a story on empowerment, women standing for each other and for themselves when no one else does.
Laila Jagir has a flair for politics and has been raised with bold freedom. On the other hand, Jasmin Mir lives a conservative life. But when Jasmine leaves home and Laila gets married in a political trade-off, their fortunes reverse overnight and the two girls are brought together by fate.
@mahekjangda is such a young talent. The storytelling is powerful, vivid and real.
Thank you @hachette_india for this book.
That I’ve been trying to figure you out
But you’ve kept me on the surface
Sometimes ivory
Sometimes sand
- Akhil Katyal (the poem that inspired the title of the book)
Transported to a faraway land where two women, Jasmine and Laila come alive in a fictional place that is hidden, orthodox, backward and sometimes scary.
Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand very subtly and beautifully weaves a story on empowerment, women standing for each other and for themselves when no one else does.
Laila Jagir has a flair for politics and has been raised with bold freedom. On the other hand, Jasmin Mir lives a conservative life. But when Jasmine leaves home and Laila gets married in a political trade-off, their fortunes reverse overnight and the two girls are brought together by fate.
@mahekjangda is such a young talent. The storytelling is powerful, vivid and real.
Thank you @hachette_india for this book.
December 16, 2020
An extremely powerful story of two young women, whose lives I got totally engrossed in. It is beautifully written. Definitely a book you won’t be able to keep down.
Can’t wait to read the author’s next books.
Favourite lines:
Home can be found in the unlikeliest of places, and family in the unlikeliest of people.
Some things have a way of working out by themselves, you just need to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
Can’t wait to read the author’s next books.
Favourite lines:
Home can be found in the unlikeliest of places, and family in the unlikeliest of people.
Some things have a way of working out by themselves, you just need to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
April 7, 2021
A perfect blend of feminism, courage, politics and family.
April 3, 2021
*Dissapointment*
Laila , born to one of the council men of Rahat district & brought up motherless amidst all the riches & luxuries always strives for gender equality going against the taboos sorrounding a woman in the society. She herself falls prey to clasps of patriarchy despite belonging to higher rung of the soceity. Meanwhile a revolutionary bill passes in the council of Rahat allowing women to contest elections for the first time in its history. This prestigious bill is supposed to give a breath of fresh air to all the suffocated & burried voices of women catering to their upliftment & empowerment in all terms. For this Laila doesn't give a second thought entering a perilous marital life keeping her future at stake for the sake of the nation.
On the other hand Jasmine escapes from the clutches of domestic violence & runs away from her house at Mahalah to Rahat in search of her missing father holding his frayed photograph, the only memory of his. He had left home in search of new job years ago. Both Laila's & Jasmine paths intervene as per diktats of destiny for all their sufferings & struggles ; for all the miseries & victories & finally for the virtue of women of the nation.
The author has set up a fictional place to discuss some common issues of women across the world & has not brought into any religious identities for that matter. Though it's a debutant work , author's writing is fresh & pacy. She has captured & presented some subtle actions & reactions so well. But it definitely lacked required amount of research for the topics it has covered. Though the book has an interesting plot line, it did not appeal me much. The book was doing really good initially but the story fell flat somewhere midway of the book & has completely lost its charm. From the set up of the book & patriarchal issues faced by women there it can be inferred that it is based on some middle eastern country.
A book, a character, an incident, per se an emotion takes its own sweet little time to make its way into the reader's heart - for which an author has to provide an adequate space to a reader to mull their thoughts & dwell on the situation with his/her writing. Here , there are many instances in the later half of the book where emotions were chopped abruptly without giving us a chance to empathize. Except the two protogonists , the author has not focused on the character build up of any other. Infact , I felt Laila & Jasmine characters too need some more intricate & intense treatment for leaving even more strong impressions. Many incidents in the book towards the end were filmsy , rushed & it went over my head when there was sudden romance interrupting the seriousness of the situation!!
Empathy is what a reader must feel reading any tale immersing oneself into the book owning the characters. And here the author has only partially succeeded in this task. A good start, intriguing plot line but failed execution is what pulled me back from this debut piece of work.
Laila , born to one of the council men of Rahat district & brought up motherless amidst all the riches & luxuries always strives for gender equality going against the taboos sorrounding a woman in the society. She herself falls prey to clasps of patriarchy despite belonging to higher rung of the soceity. Meanwhile a revolutionary bill passes in the council of Rahat allowing women to contest elections for the first time in its history. This prestigious bill is supposed to give a breath of fresh air to all the suffocated & burried voices of women catering to their upliftment & empowerment in all terms. For this Laila doesn't give a second thought entering a perilous marital life keeping her future at stake for the sake of the nation.
On the other hand Jasmine escapes from the clutches of domestic violence & runs away from her house at Mahalah to Rahat in search of her missing father holding his frayed photograph, the only memory of his. He had left home in search of new job years ago. Both Laila's & Jasmine paths intervene as per diktats of destiny for all their sufferings & struggles ; for all the miseries & victories & finally for the virtue of women of the nation.
The author has set up a fictional place to discuss some common issues of women across the world & has not brought into any religious identities for that matter. Though it's a debutant work , author's writing is fresh & pacy. She has captured & presented some subtle actions & reactions so well. But it definitely lacked required amount of research for the topics it has covered. Though the book has an interesting plot line, it did not appeal me much. The book was doing really good initially but the story fell flat somewhere midway of the book & has completely lost its charm. From the set up of the book & patriarchal issues faced by women there it can be inferred that it is based on some middle eastern country.
A book, a character, an incident, per se an emotion takes its own sweet little time to make its way into the reader's heart - for which an author has to provide an adequate space to a reader to mull their thoughts & dwell on the situation with his/her writing. Here , there are many instances in the later half of the book where emotions were chopped abruptly without giving us a chance to empathize. Except the two protogonists , the author has not focused on the character build up of any other. Infact , I felt Laila & Jasmine characters too need some more intricate & intense treatment for leaving even more strong impressions. Many incidents in the book towards the end were filmsy , rushed & it went over my head when there was sudden romance interrupting the seriousness of the situation!!
Empathy is what a reader must feel reading any tale immersing oneself into the book owning the characters. And here the author has only partially succeeded in this task. A good start, intriguing plot line but failed execution is what pulled me back from this debut piece of work.
December 31, 2020
"Some things have a way of working out by themselves, you just need to pick yourself up and move forward." - @mahekjangda
Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand by Mahek Jangda
🍂 Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand is the story of two women who embark on a journey that changes not only their lives but will change their nation as well. Laila Jagir is the daughter of the powerful councilman of Rahat, Ahmed Jagir. Raised with strong beliefs and freedom, Laila believes in a nation of equality and freedom for women. Jasmine has lived in the shadow of her father's disappearance far from the bold air of Rahat. All she knows is to bow down and not to raise her voice. But when she leaves Mahlah and runs away to Rahat to look for her father and Laila is married to another councilman as part of a political trade she makes, their live entwine. Now after a long wait, a bill has been passed to allow women to be elected as council members and so the campaigns of their lives began in a hope to change all.
🍂 What a stunning STUNNING book this was! The story blew my mind. The writing was absolutely magnificent and had me engrossed with the story within a few pages. The struggle of a nation where in some parts women aren't even allowed to vote to women fighting to establish a place for themselves in their parliament was real and brilliant.
🍂 Laila and Jasmine were two very different characters with different beliefs and different struggles yet their journey as they fought against the society while finding a family with each other was heartwarming. I laughed with them and cried for them. It was after a long time that I found such incredibly strong female characters!
🍂 The book had so much emotions wrapped up in the number of pages and I couldn't help want more and more of these girls and their lives. The story dealt with themes of politics, marriage, equality rights and domestic violence. And I don't think I'll ever be able to stop recommending this book. Easily one of my best reads of 2020.
Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand by Mahek Jangda
🍂 Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand is the story of two women who embark on a journey that changes not only their lives but will change their nation as well. Laila Jagir is the daughter of the powerful councilman of Rahat, Ahmed Jagir. Raised with strong beliefs and freedom, Laila believes in a nation of equality and freedom for women. Jasmine has lived in the shadow of her father's disappearance far from the bold air of Rahat. All she knows is to bow down and not to raise her voice. But when she leaves Mahlah and runs away to Rahat to look for her father and Laila is married to another councilman as part of a political trade she makes, their live entwine. Now after a long wait, a bill has been passed to allow women to be elected as council members and so the campaigns of their lives began in a hope to change all.
🍂 What a stunning STUNNING book this was! The story blew my mind. The writing was absolutely magnificent and had me engrossed with the story within a few pages. The struggle of a nation where in some parts women aren't even allowed to vote to women fighting to establish a place for themselves in their parliament was real and brilliant.
🍂 Laila and Jasmine were two very different characters with different beliefs and different struggles yet their journey as they fought against the society while finding a family with each other was heartwarming. I laughed with them and cried for them. It was after a long time that I found such incredibly strong female characters!
🍂 The book had so much emotions wrapped up in the number of pages and I couldn't help want more and more of these girls and their lives. The story dealt with themes of politics, marriage, equality rights and domestic violence. And I don't think I'll ever be able to stop recommending this book. Easily one of my best reads of 2020.
January 11, 2021
A positive read that gave a hopeful and happy start to my reading year 2021. I liked how Mahek Jangda kept her story to the point, with well-described emotions, and the beautiful friendship between two women who believe in uplifting each other.
Great work done by the author.
Great work done by the author.
December 20, 2020
What is equality, what is possession, and what a society demands from a women to be?
Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand, is a story of two different women, Laila and Jasmine who stand for themselves when even those they believed betrayed them.
The story opens with an introduction to the lives of Laila and Jasmine and the different environment they grew up. There is a significant difference in the thoughts and mindset of these two women which is crafted by the hardships and turmoil they have faced. Later when they are brought together by the situations they find the power in being together and like minded attitude to be independent and fight for their will and unjust perspective of the society.
Author Mahek Jangda has crafted intense emotional moments weaving them in the fictional story with a precision that makes it hard to believe that it is her first novel. The different characters and the lives brings the momentum to the story which also gives the characters their own voice and very natural personality.
At the story open it in between looses some momentum in building the story of the characters and introducing the supporting characters but this makes the later experience much more connecting.
Powerful protagonist is the primary element of the story that makes the story gripping, the story though pivots on several themes and events that occur time to time in the story which develops and drops the momentum in a way that things do not appear pre planned and much more spontaneous.
The characters display several emotions like that of Greed, demand of Power, selfishness, using others for their own good and ultimately the betrayal of their own. The political theme and factual narration goes through out the story.
Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand, is a story of two different women, Laila and Jasmine who stand for themselves when even those they believed betrayed them.
The story opens with an introduction to the lives of Laila and Jasmine and the different environment they grew up. There is a significant difference in the thoughts and mindset of these two women which is crafted by the hardships and turmoil they have faced. Later when they are brought together by the situations they find the power in being together and like minded attitude to be independent and fight for their will and unjust perspective of the society.
Author Mahek Jangda has crafted intense emotional moments weaving them in the fictional story with a precision that makes it hard to believe that it is her first novel. The different characters and the lives brings the momentum to the story which also gives the characters their own voice and very natural personality.
At the story open it in between looses some momentum in building the story of the characters and introducing the supporting characters but this makes the later experience much more connecting.
Powerful protagonist is the primary element of the story that makes the story gripping, the story though pivots on several themes and events that occur time to time in the story which develops and drops the momentum in a way that things do not appear pre planned and much more spontaneous.
The characters display several emotions like that of Greed, demand of Power, selfishness, using others for their own good and ultimately the betrayal of their own. The political theme and factual narration goes through out the story.
January 10, 2021
Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand
By Mahek Jangda
Good Reads Rating: 4.67
“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai.”
This delightful book starts with this quote and stays true to the theme of writing one’s own destiny despite any obstacles in one’s path.
Set in a fictional land, the story revolves around Laila Jagir, an assertive forward-thinking girl brought up in a liberal political household and Jasmine, the daughter of a single mother who teaches Jasmine to never assert her wishes or her presence. Jasmine would readily marry anyone who would accept her, but her father’s absence from her life, makes marriage impossible. Laila on the other hand would avoid marriage at all costs and only agrees to it as a political move.
The struggle of both these women as they traverse the paths fate lays out for them make for a fast paced and engrossing read. The book also through its portrayal of politics, pivots on the theme of women’s equality and their right to stand for elections and become leaders and change- makers.
My only small quibble is that the author does a lot of ‘telling’ at places where one could have left it to the reader to conclude things on their own. Also, the characters were for the most part unidimensional – all good or all bad. I got the feeling that subsequent writing my allow the writer to explore more shades of grey. For a debut novel, the book is a brilliant piece of work and I look forward to more from the author.
By Mahek Jangda
Good Reads Rating: 4.67
“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kya hai.”
This delightful book starts with this quote and stays true to the theme of writing one’s own destiny despite any obstacles in one’s path.
Set in a fictional land, the story revolves around Laila Jagir, an assertive forward-thinking girl brought up in a liberal political household and Jasmine, the daughter of a single mother who teaches Jasmine to never assert her wishes or her presence. Jasmine would readily marry anyone who would accept her, but her father’s absence from her life, makes marriage impossible. Laila on the other hand would avoid marriage at all costs and only agrees to it as a political move.
The struggle of both these women as they traverse the paths fate lays out for them make for a fast paced and engrossing read. The book also through its portrayal of politics, pivots on the theme of women’s equality and their right to stand for elections and become leaders and change- makers.
My only small quibble is that the author does a lot of ‘telling’ at places where one could have left it to the reader to conclude things on their own. Also, the characters were for the most part unidimensional – all good or all bad. I got the feeling that subsequent writing my allow the writer to explore more shades of grey. For a debut novel, the book is a brilliant piece of work and I look forward to more from the author.
January 4, 2021
"Sometimes Ivory Sometimes Sand" is the story of Laila Jagir and Jasmine Mir. Laila has dedicated her life to work for the better future of women in her society and she knows that the only way that could happen is when a woman gets elected to the National Council. Somewhere else, Jasmine has started searching for her lost father in order to bring her family's life back to normal. Circumstances bring both Laila and Jasmine together and they start working together towards their goals.
First of all, I must admit that I just loved this book. It turned out to be a fantastic book with a captivating plot. It's the story of two women, who were strong and determined enough to tackle the odds and difficulties life had thrown towards them. I really loved how Laila and Jasmine faced the world and stood up for themselves when they had no one to support them.
This book is the author's debut novel and it was simply brilliant. Hats off to the author for developing a such an amazing story. The plot was so intriguing and I just simply couldn't put this book down! All the characters were portrayed really well. Also, the writing was really simple and lucid. Overall it was a very interesting.
First of all, I must admit that I just loved this book. It turned out to be a fantastic book with a captivating plot. It's the story of two women, who were strong and determined enough to tackle the odds and difficulties life had thrown towards them. I really loved how Laila and Jasmine faced the world and stood up for themselves when they had no one to support them.
This book is the author's debut novel and it was simply brilliant. Hats off to the author for developing a such an amazing story. The plot was so intriguing and I just simply couldn't put this book down! All the characters were portrayed really well. Also, the writing was really simple and lucid. Overall it was a very interesting.
December 16, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIvntq-Fk...
Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand by Mahek Jangda is an absolute page-turner that will grip you from the very beginning.
With a storytelling that perfectly compliments the plot with its not—too—fast pace, the writing is melancholic have will engrave a mark on the readers' hearts.
The author has done a wonderful job in weaving a story that is complex yet has a lucid flow throughout the book. I can admit that I was anticipating a positive reaction by the time I would flip the last page and it did come to be so.
Thank you for the copy @hachette_india 🤍
Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand by Mahek Jangda is an absolute page-turner that will grip you from the very beginning.
With a storytelling that perfectly compliments the plot with its not—too—fast pace, the writing is melancholic have will engrave a mark on the readers' hearts.
The author has done a wonderful job in weaving a story that is complex yet has a lucid flow throughout the book. I can admit that I was anticipating a positive reaction by the time I would flip the last page and it did come to be so.
Thank you for the copy @hachette_india 🤍
February 7, 2021
Brazen hope and survival 🤍
Two strong female protagonists, both different yet similar as being survivors in their own journeys. Set in a fictional land, their lives collide unexpectedly and they grow together to face societal and political challenges. Slightly verbose at times but otherwise a captivating storyline, definite single sitting read.
Borrowed from the poem Udaipur (early morning), the title of the book is for when paradoxical events come together -
It’s been weeks
That I’ve been trying to figure you out...
But you’ve kept me on the surface
Sometimes ivory,
Sometimes sand.
Two strong female protagonists, both different yet similar as being survivors in their own journeys. Set in a fictional land, their lives collide unexpectedly and they grow together to face societal and political challenges. Slightly verbose at times but otherwise a captivating storyline, definite single sitting read.
Borrowed from the poem Udaipur (early morning), the title of the book is for when paradoxical events come together -
It’s been weeks
That I’ve been trying to figure you out...
But you’ve kept me on the surface
Sometimes ivory,
Sometimes sand.
December 10, 2020
Mahek is a brilliant writer. She has weaved together various facets of challenges that women face and presented it in a beautiful form of novel. She has presented the challenges with two characters Jasmine and Laila. The novel takes you for an emotional ride and also at times helps you in reflecting on major issues. I wish her all the best for her future writing endeavours.
February 1, 2022
Heartwarming, engrossing and relatable, Sometimes Ivory, Sometimes Sand is the perfect feel good pick for your downtime. It's such an easy read but yet urges one to think of personal growth journeys, feminism, friendship and so much more. Goes without saying, it's a must read.
December 9, 2020
Absolutely loved it. A must-read.
Wonderfully written book with a great story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Wonderfully written book with a great story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews