Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1563378 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

Synopsis
Ayesha, an angelic seven year old Bangladeshi, is growing up in an inner London City and meets her elderly neighbour. Mrs Peters, a white woman, has lived in the East End all her life. She is lonely and prejudiced against change, especially people different from herself. A most unlikely, yet beautiful friendship develops between them, bringing their two contrasting families together, crossing religious, cultural and racial barriers. Only Graham Peters, the youngest sibling, wants to make a different crossing with a view to join a racist political party. When Mrs Peters is attacked in her home, a chain of emotions unfolds, affecting both families and the rest of the community. A time for questioning loyalties, divisions, prejudices and friendship begins, in order to discover what really happened to Mrs Peters and more importantly, why.

Customer Reviews

REVIEW: RAINBOW HANDS.
Rainbow Hands is recommended reading for young and old, who value the human-interest side of race relations.

It is clearly evident that Rabina Khan has a passion for ethnic minority issues. From her historical coverage of race relations in the East End, readers may find their personal experiences mirror that of the author.

Anyone who is interested in social change and the part which community harmony has to play in that must read Rainbow Hands. Without it, any reaction to related questions is likely to be too simplistic and too unaware of what is really involved. This is one of those books which has to be read if we are to keep up with active thinking in this field.

The book itself is a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Rather than indulging in hypocritical, politically correct posturing, it should be admitted by everyone that Asian/white relations have suffered from serious and complex problems in the past, and that these have and must continue to be tackled from both sides of the divide.

Rainbow Hands is refreshing to read, not overflowing with useless dialogue and innacurate/offensive controversies aimed at the Bangladeshi comunity. It is also a steady-paced book that spares its readers much of the fluff and fill of some of the so- called 'traditional'novels written by Rabina Khan's more 'illustrious' counterparts.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Rainbow Hands. Rabina Khan goes into great detail, to make you feel as if you were there! I look forward to the next installment.

So much for the structure; is the material any good ? Those who are interested in race relations or familiar with life in the East End will not be disappointed with it.

Emdad Rahman
Columnist
Bangla Mirror English Newsweekly

Rainbow Hands
This book is a worthwhile read, which left me impatient to read the secound part to it. It exaimes our muliti-cultural society and examines the barriers we are still meeting to overcome the prejudice and racism which is still visible today. As a Bangaldeshi girl myself i feel i can relate to the book and identify with the Ali family, however the author style allows everyone to identify with the book regardless of what background and origin you may be from. Another good factor is that the book is not bias, it does not attemp to shift the blame to certain partys but instead gives us a solution to how to overcome these problems. The authors style is also simple, therefore younger audiences will also be appreciate this book. i praise this book for being able to address such an important subject in a simple, down to earth way. It is a must read..........