SA Book & Challenge Lovers discussion

This months Author is.....

Paul Haston

Here you can say what you are reading and if you are enjoying it, etc :)

Hi everyone! Thanks for choosing me as August Author of the month. I am thrilled!

My two books are linked here. I have made both especially available for FREE DOWNLOAD FOR THE MONTH. Happy reading and let me know what you think! I will be dropping into the discussion thread to answer questions.
Paul

CLICK ON THE BOOK PAGE BELOW


RISING OF A DEAD MOON, an Indian widow's tragedy




BLOOD AND DOVES, an anti-hero's fight to overcome his class.

Just a bit of background on RISING OF A DEAD MOON to kick things off. The book is set in the late 19th century against a backdrop of Indian Indenture, the shipment of workers from India to work on the sugar plantations in Natal. Indenture was (to me) a dressed-up form of slavery (banned earlier in the century) and met a need by the white settlers for cheap labour. Indentured 'recruits' were invariably from poor backgrounds, with hunger from drought driving them to leave their homeland. Conditions on board the ships and on the plantations were terrible for all workers, with women treated particularly badly, given the assumption that they were less 'useful' for the work. Promises of land to those completing the 5 or 10 years indenture period were invariably reneged upon by the authorities, the landed migrants being viewed as an unwanted 'problem' once their contract had finished.

Usha suffers from the cultural stigma of her widowhood, a condition which prompts - in part - her escape, but to a situation that is no better. The sad thing is that parts of Indian society retain even today a deep seated suspicion of widows, as attested to by the 'widow city' of Vrindavan.

The book is cross cultural and examines themes of struggle, search for self, emancipation. I cannot say that I found answers to my concerns and mankind's treatment of the disadvantaged is a subject with which I continue to grapple. The status and treatment of women remains an issue in many parts of society.

Over to you. Your thoughts on the themes of the book, the story, the way it is written, what you liked, what you didn't like, are welcome.

By the way, say what you feel. I am always looking to improve my writing. They say it is the writer's curse that any book is never finished.

It's quite, erm, surprising that Paul won the poll. Do many of our active members read this sort of fiction?

Lauren wrote: "It's quite, erm, surprising that Paul won the poll. Do many of our active members read this sort of fiction?"

I think it's his shrewd marketing skills and the personal touch of himself being involved that won him the poll. I have no doubt that he's sent personal messages to some members to read his book, which I don't think so is a wrong thing.

Paul, even though I didn't vote for you, I am glad that you won it, and I would be much obliged to read your book if anytime it is available in Paperback.

Thanks for the free downloads Paul. Will try to get down to them ASAP

Thanks for your interest Ankit and Peter. RISING OF A DEAD MOON explores a pivotal part of South African history: the shipment of indentured labourers from India to work on the sugar plantations around Durban. Hope you enjoy the read!

Ankit, just to your point. The books are free to download here on goodreads in electronic version. The paperback is available on Amazon.

Paul

Great review of 'Blood and Doves' by the eminent South African author, historian and film maker, Tony Maxwell. Posted on the book page!