Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet: New Reviews

Publishers Weekly:
"Sheth's (Blue Jasmine) novel set in Mumbai offers readers a fascinating glimpse of modern Indian culture. Eloquent and insightful, this book invites introspection and may lead to lively discussions about the pros and cons of honoring and breaking tradition."

From School Library Journal (Grade 8 Up):
"Warmly descriptive of life in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), this love story has a rich sense of place. This first-person narrative is a lush and loving exploration of coming of age."

From Booklist:
"But like the hot, sweet mango pickles Jeeta savors, her experiences crystallize the combined pain and joy of tradition and family, which Sheth anchors in rich particulars of setting, cuisine, and dialect (a glossary is provided)."

Selected by Cooperative Children's Book Center as their Book of the Week:
"Jeeta's fear for her sister far outweighs her fear of violating traditional values in a story about a strong and loving family facing the challenges of blending new ideas with old. With complex characters, realistic relationships, and vivid, sensual details of setting and culture, Kashmira Sheths brings Jeeta's life into full relief in story that unfolds with grace and certainty." 

Comments

[chandni]

i just finished Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet!it is the best indian book i have ever read!! i have Blue jasmine reserved at my library. one thing i found so cool was that i live in Naperville illinois! please let me know when you are visiting Chicago!!

~~Chandni

[kashmira Sheth]

Chandani, It is nice to hear from you. I Hope you were able to get a copy of Blue Jasmine from your library. I don’t have any plans to visit Chicago in the near future but if I do, I’ll post it on my site. I’ll also scan the cover of my next two books as soon as I have them from my publishers.

Kashmira

[Jackie]

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. It is beautifully written. Thanks!

[Pooja]

I love yuor book Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet!!! It is wonderful. I have read it so many times, it just has something in it that just makes me want to read it over and over. i am also indian so I really understand it and also the indian words. please let me know if you are going to come to indiana any time. I would love to keep in touch.

[Divya Patel]

i just finished reading Koyal dark, mango sweet!!!
i luv the book. Please tell me if you have written any books. Are you planing to visit houston texas. if you are then please tell me. i am indian too. My hometown is Mumbai india.

[Kashmira Sheth]

Dear Jackie,
I just checked out your website and it is beautiful. It has a lot of useful information about the new books.
Thanks for writing to me and letting me know you enjoyed Koyal Dark.
Kashmira

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Pooja,

Thanks for writing to me. I am glad you enjoyed Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. I'd love to come to Indiana, unfortunately, at this time I have no plan to visit your state. I have a new book coming out in October called Keeping Corner and I will have my book signing schedule posted in a week or so.
If you have questions you can write to me at ksheth@tds.net
Best,
Kashmira

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Divya,

So good to hear from someone from Mumbai!
I have written two other novels, Blue Jasmine and Keeping Corner. Blue Jasmine was my first novel and was published in 2004 and Keeping Corner will be available this October. Keeping Corner is a historical fiction set in Gujarat in early Gandhi-era (1918-1919). I also have a picture book out called My Dadima Wears a Sari. I hope you check it out. it has beautiful artwork.
Right now I have no plans to visit Houston, sorry.
Kashmira

[terini]

hi there,i think that koyal dark mango sweet was one of the best books i ever read.it was like you new everything that goes on in a girls life.i have been looking for more books of yours.but i just cant find it.i think you are definitly the most interesting writer i know of.im am an 11yr old indian who would just love to read alot more about you

[saarah khamissa]

wow i just finished koyal dark mango sweet. it is the best book i have ever read and i loved it so much because it talked about my culture. i got my english teacher to read it but he didint understand all the indian words lol! he still loved it and i am doing a big presentation on it for school!!!!! THANKS

[Kashmira Sheth]

Dear Terini,
Thanks for writing to me and letting me know how much you enjoyed Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. My first novel came out in 2004 (Blue Jasmine) and I have another novel (Keeping Corner) coming out this month. I hope you get a chance to read them both.
Kashmira

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Saarah,

It is so nice to heat that you enjoyed Koyal Dark. Mango Sweet so much that you had you teacher read it! :)
I hope your presentation went well. It is nice to share with the class things from your culture including books, music and food!
Happy reading!
Kashmira

[nayha]

wow...great comments!
my american friend (i'm indian) told me about your book, and she says I should read it. I don't know if it's part of a series though, so do I have to read blue jasmine first? Also, I love the cover mehendi artwork, and I hope I can get my hands on a copy of your book!
<3 from Nayha(age 14)

[Jeeta]

This book is amazing. I love connecting with Jeeta (my namesake) a student teacher at my school just loves the indian culture, I'll show her this book, she'll love it!

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Nayha,

I'm glad that you friend recommended you my novel and I hope you get to read it soon.
You don't have to read Blue Jasmine first before reading Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. Also, I think you would enjoy my newest novel, Keeping Corner. It is a historical fiction set in 1918 India.
FYI, KDMS is available in paperback now. And on the cover are my daughter's hands so I am very partial to that cover.

Kashmira

[Kashmira Sheth]

Hi Jeeta,

It is nice to hear from another Jeeta. I am thrilled that you liked the book and are recommending to your student teacher. I can't think of a better compliment!
Please check out my newest novel, Keeping Corner, because I think you would enjoy it.
Kashmira

[Faith]

What a beautiful and poignant story you have unfolded in Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. It's a story that any reader would enjoy, regardless of heritage or culture; but in my case, it touched on my own experience and gave me a far keener of understanding of my own mother's actions...the story of Jeeta and her family helped to grasp the influences that shaped the thinking of my mother and my grandmothers. Thank you for such a lovely gift. While I had the fortune of finding your literary work at a library, I have now purchased it at the bookstore so that I can add it to my collection of timeless stories that I read more than once and introduce to my children. ~Faith

[Kashmira Sheth]

Dear Faith,

Thanks for your sweet note. I'm so touched that Jeeta's story resonated with you and helped you understand your family and its history. I feel fortunate when my stories stay with readers long after they finish reading the books.
I hope you children will enjoy Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet as much as you have.

Best wishes,
Kashmira

[Meagan]

I really enjoyed Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet! Now, for school I am writing a book review on it because it was so good! I hope that you are planning to come to Detroit some time for a book talk or singing or something! That would be great! I would love to come meet you and get your signature! I wish you good luck and success with future books! =)

[rida]

i just finished your kooyal dark mango sweet book nd i loved it!!! i am pakistani but i could still relate to alot of things!

[Suzette]

Hello,
I just finished reading your beautiful book Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. I am a 36 year old Black woman from the Caribbean and feel like I "know" so many of your characters, both from my own family as well as my friends. It made me smile to recognize some of the foods, and terms you used in the book as well as the reference of the beautiful Hindu celebration of Divali. I have many fond memories of visiting with my friends in their homes and always enjoying the wonderful foods that was always in abundance. I truly enjoyed reading your book. I live in California now and will definitely share your book with my nieces and friends and look out for your other books. All the best to you and your family.

[kashmira Sheth]

Dear Rida,

Yes, our two countries share a lot of
values and cultural traditions!
Kashmira

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Suzette,

Thanks for your lovely note. I hope you still get a chance to enjoy Indian food and festivities with friends in California like you did in the Caribbean!
I hope your nieces and friends enjoy Koyal dark, Mango Sweet as much as you did.
Kashmira

[anjli sharma]

i love this book i read not to long ago and like all your other books just couldnt stop reading it. i loved it !!! it brought back memeories. i ahve been to india only once when i was 5 (now im 14) and i cant wait to go back but when i read your books its like im expercing inida!! i love that all yuor characters in each book are so diiferent but can kinda relate to each other . your books are great for book talks. please comment back. Anjli =)

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Anjli,

I hope you get to travel to India soon. I am happy my books take you to India and when you visit the country, I hope somethings there remind you of the stories you have read. Keep on reading!
Kashmira