Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #242423 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 592 pages

Sunday Mirror
'Powerful'

Review
'It would be difficult not to be seduced by the evocation of setting, family life, clothes, food and the intriguing mixture of myth, religion and superstition . . . there is a freedom and freshness in the manner in which the author explores the interior life of her characters . . . It possesses a genuine intimacy and passionate involvement.' (Elizabeth Buchan, Times Play )

'THE RICE MOTHER is exactly the kind of absorbing, cross-generational read that will pass away a few more train journeys than the average popular paperback . . . Emotionally satisfying, complex books like this are harder to find.' (Heat )

'I simply didn't want it to end . . . The characters themselves, with their resolute individualism, ultimately seem larger than either the superbly drawn historical background or the novel's exotic setting' (Image Magazine )

'A wonderful treasure-house of a story, a gem of a first novel. There is real, bursting talent here.' (Sue Morgan, The Bookseller )

'Echoes of Memoirs of a Geisha in this exotic family saga' (Mirror )

'You'll struggle to find a more powerful, moving read this year.' (Glamour )

'You'll love Rani Manicka's first novel.' (New Woman )

'Echoes of Memoirs of a Geisha in this exotic family saga' (Mirror )

'Powerful' (Sunday Mirror )

'Drips with local colour . . . wonderful.' (Daily Mail )

'Much of the appeal of a novel like The Rice Mother rests in its whispered promises of escapism' (Observer )

'A delicious fictional cocktail packed with Malaysian flavours . . . Its characters are original, its canvas broad, and Manicka's radiant prose brings out all the dark lushness of her ultimately tragic tale.' (Hwee Hwee Tan, Time Asia )

'A vivid storyteller . . . Unfolding over four generations like a Greek tragedy, it's a compulsive and often harrowing tale.' (In Style )

'Manicka has an imaginative sense of character and an equally deft hand at weaving folk tales and mythology.' (Far Eastern Review )

'After Memoirs of A Geisha there were lots of copycats, but only this comes close in terms of excellence. A stunning generation-spanning story.' (Heat )

'Rich in domestic detail essential for a convincing family saga . . . this novel transcends its genre . . . she has created a novel with its own strong flavour.' (Times Play )

'A vividly atmospheric novel of tragedy, superstition, belief and hope.' (Woman & Home )

In Style
'A vivid storyteller . . . Unfolding over four generations like a Greek tragedy, it's a compulsive and often harrowing tale.'

Customer Reviews

The Rice Mother
Cannot see the point, for the most part, of Joe Bloggs reviewing a book. You know nothing of my taste, and I know nothing of yours - so how can it help you if I tell you that I thought this book was splendid - which I did. A compelling read from the start and sad to put it down at the end.

As a piece of classic literature, I might not place this in my top 50, but for a great read, a touching, bitter sweet, galling and thought provoking tale - it is hard to beat. A great holiday book.

A charming and unusual voice unfolds the story for us in a uniquely eastern, lyrical way.

So you know the things which appeal to me: recent reads were 'The Lovely Bones' (fabulously written) 5/5, The shipping News 3/5, The Fingersmith 4/5, The death of Mr Love 3/5. Favourite authors include George Orwell, M Peake, Tolkein. Hope this helps you to judge whether you might like the same things that appeal to me.

wow! a step outside your world
wow what more can I say, I come from small town on a small island and have no idea of other cultures. I picked up the book purely because I was moving house and would be out of work for a week or two. The book was finished in 3 days and my whole perception of the world has widened.
The way the family worked together with each of there ideals and personalities was fantasticly woven and the way they dealt with one major incident was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
brilliant book i look forward to reading more from this author

Earthy and Compelling
I don't normally have time to review books but I have just finished The Rice Mother (in 2 days - you can't put it down) and felt compelled to say a few words. Yes it is a dark book about a lifetime of struggling, so if you want a happy read avoid this book. However the writing is descriptive without being flowery, with truly 3 dimensional characters throughout the generations. I don't normally like books which move away from the main character as subsequent people are never written as well, however this is an exception to the rule, and I found the transition was handled exceptionally. I would recommend this book to all who truly like to feel part of the world they are reading about.