Product Description

Another magical saga by the author of 'Of Marriageable Age'. How many of us think as adults we've lost the vitality of childhood? And how many manage to find it again? This is Rita Maraj's dilemma. Living in a ramshackle house in Georgetown, leader of the local neighbourhood gang, Rita collects people like she does dogs, cats, ants, and even an unwanted police horse. But then her father remarries: her stepmother is determined to tidy up house, husband and stepdaughter, and move into respectable society. Rita's charm and liveliness become compressed by the pressure to conform, and the duty to find a suitable husband. But then a messenger arrives, searching for a possible heir to the distant family estates. Suddenly liberated, and determined to search for her roots, Rita's sense of adventure is reawakened first by the formidable personage of her distant relative, but even more by the tragedies of her long lost, romantic cousin. Her early life -- saving half the wildlife of her neighbourhood -- is only preparation for the destiny that awaits her. Dramatic and vivid, moving and exotic, 'Peacocks Dancing' is a captivating story, a joy to read.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #271925 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review
Praise for 'Of Marriageable Age': 'A big book, big themes, an exotic background and characters that will live with you forever!unputdownable.' Katie Fforde 'Beautifully and cleverly written. A wondrous, spellbinding story which grips you from the first to the last page!I can't recall when I last enjoyed a book so much.' Lesley Pearse 'It's a wonderful panoramic story and conveys such vivid pictures of the countries it portrays I was immediately transported and completely captivated. A terrific writer.' Barbara Erskine 'From the first page I was hooked with this enchanting book!unputdownable.' Audrey Howard 'A vast canvas of memorable characters across a kaleidoscope of cultures!her epic story feels like an authentic reflection of a world full of sadness, joy and surprise.' Observer

Barbara Erskine
"A terrific writer who completely captivated me"

From the Publisher
Set in Guyana and India, with a vivid panorama of exotic places, Peacocks Dancing tells of family intrigue and the haunting search for a lost child. Maas has been compared to Isabel Allende by the European media, and is now a bestseller in Germany, Sweden, Denmark and France. Be swept away by this enchanting and exotic tale...

Customer Reviews

Impossible to put down
An exotic story full of mystique, romance, culture and goodies and baddies. The characters make a huge impression and stay with you long after the last page. You could almost say there is a fairytale-like flavour to the story - perhaps a bit like Cinderella, only the sister is impossibly beautiful - in fact she's just plain impossible! One thing Ms Maas does with this book is not only entertain, but also heighten the reader's awareness of certain brutalities facing children in India - namely, child abuse and prostitution. But these events are woven "into" the story rather than given centre stage. Still..it does get to you. I bought this book for something to read, instead I ended up being introduced to a whole new author whose other books I will now be looking to read.

Finding One's Life Role!
Of Marriageable Age fans will be delighted with the maturing talent that Sharon Maas demonstrates in Peacocks Dancing. Her storytelling sense is even stronger in this new book, and her writing is sublime! The most appealing part of the book is the careful character development of the young people whose growing up is captured in the story. You will find yourself fascinated and sympathetic to all of them, and want to find out how their lives turn out.

The story takes place in both Guyana and India during the last 30 years. The book revolves around the life of Rita Maraj who grows up as a semi-orphan first with her father (after her mother dies in childbirth) and then with her father and social-climbing stepmother. Rita is treated like an unwanted child, but her great imagination and fierce determination keep her moving forward toward something that she cannot define. Throughout the book, she comes to understand that she must act more in congruence with her instincts, and that they will serve her well.

The book's structure provides a parallel tale of the childhoods and growing up of Rita, her half-sister Isabelle, Kamal (the heir of a princely Indian family), and Asha (a young girl who is taken on by a foster family). Their lives come to intertwine in unexpected ways, like vines growing up a trellis. By the end of the book, the trellis is covered with beautiful blossoms and leaves.

Readers who are offended by inhumanity and sexual exploitation may find the book to be strongly flavored in those regards. The circumstances described do not appear to be exaggerated above what is happening somewhere to many people in the world, and should serve to expand your awareness of abuses that need to be curbed.

A major theme of the book relates to what connects us to one another. You will see a variety of relationships, and develop your own ideas as a result. But the core is a selfless love that many people have trouble providing, seeking, or sustaining.

Those who are fans of Buddhist philosophy will recognize many parallels to the life of Buddha in Kamal's experiences. I found that connection made the book more spiritually significant relative to all of the characters.

The most powerful part of the book comes in the connection between Rita and her sister. You will be deeply moved by it. I can say no more without harming your enjoyment of the story.

After you finish enjoying Peacocks Dancing, I suggest that you think about where you are too inhibited to pursue providing selfless love. Then, consider how you might try letting your true feelings go. Hopefully, that taste of selfless loving will provide the joy to encourage you to do more.

Strengthen your capacity to love!

Peacocks Dancing
This book is one of the most beautiful books ive ever read..I know Illtreasure this book. I love how Sharon Maas takes us into a kalidoscope ofcultures.The book is quiet a read and does appear to be really huge in thesize of it ..but each page is such a joy to read ..its full of lively language and such detail...emotions...feelings..places.. andsences.....that i am immediatly drawn to another world...even the book can smell so exotic ..each page transports me to another plane....toanother...world...there is a lot of sadness, a lot questions that israised about how we live and about why we do the things we do in life. Iliked how the book allows us to travel to India ( my parents are southindian..im British born) and the sadness of child prostitution. This bookis realy worth picking up ..reading it and placing it on your favouritebook case...every so often i pick this book up read and skim through pagesand it makes me feel sooo sooo good.Ive never felt this warmth and touchedby a book in my life.Thank you Sharon Maas xxxx.Subha Sadasivan