Comments on: Valmiki’s Daughter, by Shani Mootoo http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/ This blogger would have fit right in with the old Park Plaza rooftop bar crowd -- H. Hood Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Max Cairnduff http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/#comment-1564 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:51:44 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=1829#comment-1564 That is indeed an excellent review Kevin, and it sounds a pleasure of a novel. With good enough writing, a slim story line is no obstacle to a good book (indeed, with good enough writing, too rich a story line may become a problem) and this sounds well written. Like Kerry, I’ll be looking into this one further.

]]> By: KevinfromCanada http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/#comment-1538 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:37:34 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=1829#comment-1538 Thanks, Sarah. I was relying on Chapters and amazon data and I now realize that those dates refer to the paperback, not the hardcover. So people have no excuse for not buying this very good book. I will correct the post and appreciate that you have updated me. I do hope the novel makes it to the shortlist — and thanks to Anansi for bringing us such a fine book.

]]> By: Sarah MacLachlan http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/#comment-1537 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:58:34 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=1829#comment-1537 Kevin:

Shani’s book was published last November, and thus missed being eligible for the 2008 Giller Prize. But as you’ve seen it is eligible and on the longlist this year. We’ll be publishing the paperback in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for drawing attention to this wonderful novel.

Best,

Sarah MacLachlan
President
House of Anansi

]]> By: KevinfromCanada http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/#comment-1534 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:40:11 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=1829#comment-1534 Kerry: I note from your blog that you heard Junot Diaz in D.C. this weekend — I think that this book makes a very interesting contrast with Oscar Wao. While Diaz explores what happens to people who attempt to escape their Caribbean colonialist fate, Mootoo focuses on the compromises of those who choose to stay. And to expand the comparison, I’d suggest looking into Sam Selvon’s Moses trilogy (all three are reviewed on this blog) for a look at the same story explored almost half a century earlier. It is a rich vein for fiction and I think Valmiki’s Daughter is a worthwhile addition.

]]> By: Kerry http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/2009/09/27/valmikis-daughter-by-shani-mootoo/#comment-1532 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:16:20 +0000 http://kevinfromcanada.wordpress.com/?p=1829#comment-1532 Excellent review, Kevin. This is a book of which I almost certainly would not have been aware but for your coverage of the Giller Prize. Now, I am strongly considering it for my TBR pile. If it is not out yet, I have time to decide. I am committed to reading at least one candidate (maybe more), so I will be watching the rest of the Giller Prize coverage with interest.

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