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

[anjli sharma]

Thanks i might be going this summer acutally! i wanted to know is my dadima wears a sari a picture book for kids or not because i went ot the library and they said it was and cus im 14 i quess i was to young to read it Haha =) write bak bye

[Kadiatou Diallo]

Oh my god, I didnt read a book for 2 days in a longtime until today. koyal oak mango sweet is the best book that I read this year so far, I started reading it yeasterday and i finished it today. I had to look up the author and find out about her. your book is -saras. I cant wait to read your other books. I was really dessapointed when i realized that I read the last page, i yelled and asked my friend for the second one, but she told me, the book doesnt have a second volume to it. I love Jeeta's character because I can compare myself to her. keep doing wat u do, i thing they shoul make a movie about the book. im sorry i had to type a lot like a essay.

[Atasha R.]

I've finished reading Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet for the second time and have to say that it is simply marvelous! My parents are from Guyana, South America, and my ancestors are from India. I'm not sure what part of India exactly. It's nice to read about what might have been my life, had my ancestors decided to stay in India. I have two questions: 1) May you please recommend your favorite desi books? And, 2) will you ever write a sequel to Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet? The novel ended so abruptly, it would be nice to have a little epilogue or sequel.

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Anjali,
My Dadima wear a Sari is a picture book. I do have three novels. I think you would enjoy Koyal Dark, mango Sweet and Keeping Corner. Write me back after your trip!
Kashmira

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Kadiatou,

Saras is a good word! I'm glad you enjoyed Koyal Dark and wrote back. There are no more novels about Jeeta but I do have other books. Hope you enjoy them.
Kashmira

[kashmira Sheth]

Dear Atasha,

Thanks for writing to me. Have you visited India?
My favorite Desi author is Rohinton Mistry who writes for adults. I don't think I will write an a sequel to Koyal Dark. I think by the end of the year Jeeta was strong and confident enough to do what she wanted to do! She definitely won't give in to her mother's wishes. Do you agree?
Kashmira

[ashlen smith]

This was such a great book!! I had one question though, what did you mean the conflict of the whole story to be? Thanks!

[kashmira Sheth]

Ashlen, thanks for writing. I didn't start out with any preconceived idea. Jeeta's character is a strong and determined. In the end, I realized she wanted to follow a path of her own, question the traditions and was willing to stand up to her mother. So the story is about the inner growth of Jeeta and her outer conflict with her family and society.
Best,

Kashmira

[Bansri Patel]

Hi! I LOVED ur book! I had a quick question for u. Wat did u want ur main conflict to be? Is it Jeeta and her struggle with society? She likes Neel, but she doesn't want to go against her culture. Is this the main conflict? Thanks!!

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Bansri,
Sorry somehow I missed your post.
To answer your question about the theme of Koyal Dark I want to say that I start with a character and a story. As the story progresses the theme takes shape. I think what you, as a reader, take from the story is more important.
Jeeta is a fighter who is trying to have her own independent identity and she does questions her mother's certain ideas and behavior.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Kashmira

[nadia]

oh my god i love this book i was thinking that you should try and make it in to a movie i would love it i would watch it over and over again love this book

am indain guyanese

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Nadia,

I wish I could make movie out of this book, too. I think Jeeta's sharp tongue would make lively dialogues with a lot of conflict.
Thanks for writing.
Kashmira

[jowhara]

This book is one of the best so far. I like how it wrtten and it seems reall story.

[kashmira Sheth]

Thanks! I hope you enjoy my other novels, Keeping Corner and Boys Without Names. They are both set in India.
Have you read novels by Mitali Perkins, Narinder Dhami and Marina Tamar Budhos?
Kashmira

[Riya]

I have read both Koyal Dark Mango Sweet and Blue Jasmine more than 10 times I love the way it is written.I like both book s but I enjoy reading Koyal Dark Mango Sweet more. because the topic of arrange marriage is so common in India. It remind me of India so much. the characters also fit so well. I also love how the Gujarati words make complete sense to me. You have done a great job.

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Riya,

Wow! Ten times!I don't think I know anyone who has read my book that many times.
Thanks for writing and letting me know how much you enjoyed them. I have two more novel out, Keeping Corner and Boys Without Names. They depict serious subjects but both have hopeful endings. Hope you get a chance to read them.
what other books are your favorites?
Kashmira

[Tory Evans]

I just finished Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet and I LOVED it. It was by far the best novel I've read in a long time!!! Apart from loving your book, I was just wondering that if you had to finish the sentence- this book is about......, and fill the blank in with the themes and the idea being presented in the novel, what would it be?
For an example of an answer from another novel, is in to kill a mocking bird the theme of that novel is seeing what its like to walk in someone else's shoes.
I really hope you can answer my question, once again I love your novel, it's brilliant!!

Thanks so much,
Tory

[kashmira Sheth]

Hi Tory,

I'm glad you enjoyed Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet. The theme of the book is the struggle between—tradition and modernity, past and present, old and young and trying to find a balance between them.
Thanks for writing,
Kashmira

[Linda]

Koyal Dark, Mango Sweet is a wonderful gift from my teacher, Ms. Anna. I did enjoyed the book. How male hegemony colonized female body, and how Jeeta decolonized it is a great way to see modern Indian Literature. Best of luck with ur writings.

[kashmira Sheth]

Thanks for writing, Linda. Glad you enjoyed Koyal Dark Mango Sweet!
Kashmira

[roop]

really like that book
really awesome
but don't like the end
becuse i don't know

[Kashmira Sheth]

Roop,

Sorry you didn't like the end. I wanted readers to think Jeeta had many options open. She was going to study, keep seeing Neel and help Mohini get through hard times.

Kashmira