Outcast by Dianne Noble
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s fiction
Length: Full (308 pgs)
Rating: 5 stars
Review by RoseRose leaves her Cornwall café to search for her daughter in the sweltering slums of Kolkata, India.
In the daily struggle for survival, she is often brought to her knees, but finds strength to overcome the poverty and disease, grows to love the Dalit community she helps.
But then there are deaths, and she fears for her own safety.
The interior of your car may accumulate dirt, stains, loose change, and small pieces of order cialis online check this link paper; grime builds up on the windshield, dashboard, floor mats and seats. In vardenafil sale fact, according to Impotence World, physical causes contribute to impotence. So what was going on? After ruling usa cheap viagra out everything from muscular dystrophy to delayed effects of drugs used in college, I realized that it was simple inattention. This remedy pattern can be easily available in the market. brand cialis no prescription
Her café at home is at risk of being torched, and finally, she has to make the terrible choice between her daughter and the Indian children.
This is a beautifully written book about mothers and daughters, about forgiveness and redemption, about loss and finding oneself. The subject matter itself isn’t pretty. It deals with the poverty and struggle that is the life of the Dalits–the untouchables–of India. But the story itself is beautiful and is one I think I will be thinking about for a long time.
The story begins with Rose discovering that the plane on which her daughter was supposed to be arriving after her gap year in India was missing. Her relief that Ellie did not actually get on the plane quickly turned to a desire to repair the damage that had been done to their relationship over the years, so she decides to go to India on a surprise visit, leaving her café in the capable hands of Hannah, who we discover has her own mother issues that are juxtaposed against the story of Rose and Ellie.
I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the two stories, and I hope Ms. Noble plans on revisiting Hannah and Willow. I would like to see how their story plays out.
Although the ending was not the one *I* would have chosen, I can quite see how it was the right decision for the characters.
Good job, Ms. Noble. I will definitely be checking to see if you have other books available.
Thanks for hosting Outcast and for your resume of my book which is far superior to mine. Thank you also for your kind comments. I am very much a newbie so hope I will do everything according to your guidance sheet!
Kind regards
Dianne.
Thank you for hosting
I really enjoyed reading the entire post today. This is a new author for me but I would love to learn more! Thank you for the reveal!
Thank you Nikolina, good to hear from you. Do you write yourself? Do you have a website?
I love to write about women being challenged in atmospheric settings. My current WIP novel is set in Egypt and deals with a forced marriage, and the next planned book will be based in Morocco. I also have another Indian novel currently with Tirgearr for review and this tells the story of the street children in Kolkata, India.
No, I’m not a writer, though I did try once a long time ago. Perhaps it will come to me again in the future 🙂
Many writers describe themselves as “character” or “plot” writers. Which are you? What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?
Hello! Lovely to hear from you.
I think it’s probably easier for me to produce believable, fleshed-out characters. Coming up with plots takes a bit longer, I don’t think I’m a natural plotter!
Most writers, I believe, find editing the hardest part but it’s my favourite. Sometimes it’s a struggle to get the words down and I have to plod on and have faith that it will all come together. Once the words are on the paper (yup! A4 pad and pencil) I really, really enjoy working on it to get it all into shape, a cut here, a tweak there. Very satisfying!
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and, if so, how do you overcome it?
Oh dear yes!
I get past it by following some advice a tutor on a writing course once gave me. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write absolutely anything that comes into your head, doesn’t matter what the subject is, doesn’t matter if you think you’re writing rubbish. When the timer rings you absolutely have to stop. After a few timed exercises you find you’re extremely reluctant to stop and the mental exercise has unblocked your brain!
I’m going to try that. What an interesting technique!
Also I open an A4 pad, pick up a pencil and force myself to write absolutely anything, without stopping, even if it’s useless like ‘I can’t think what to say and I have a headache and the washing needs doing……………..
There’s just something about the pencil moving that forces your brain to click in.
Works for me!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. Great technique!
The story sounds very intriguing.
It is multi-layered and covers several people’s stories.
There are many twists and turns and I believe it’s a very satisfying read while highlighting social issues and the pain people carry with them, often hidden, in their lives.
Terrific giveaway and I want to thank you for the opportunity to win it.
My pleasure entirely!
What comes first for you–the story or the characters?
The location actually Becky! India, Egypt, Morocco – somewhere suitably atmospheric. The character follows. I spend several months building up a dossier so I know every little thing about my main protagonist and the plot generally evolves from my knowledge of the person and what they are likely to do.
Sounds like a good read.
It certainly is, why not give it a try!
You will feel you are actually on the windswept promenade of Cornwall, England hearing the seagulls and feeling the waves crashing over the sea wall. And then you’ll be sweating in Kolkata, batting away the flies and trying not to have your heart broken by the starving children.
Fascinating post and excerpt.
Thank you. Perhaps it will tempt you to want to read more!
Sounds like a great book, thanks for sharing!
My pleasure!
It was hugely enjoyable to write, because much of it was based on personal experience of the time I spent in Kolkata doing voluntary work.
That’s awesome! And those are usually the best stories to read (at least for me) because it gives a completely different perspective!
I hope to publish another novel based in India later this year – if Tirgearr accept it! – based on teaching English to street children in India.
Thanks for the giveaway; I like the excerpt. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. It was difficult to pick which part of the book to use because it is varied, with two different settings and two – or three – stories. I’m happy to offer the giveaway!
Many thanks for hosting me and to all the interesting people who have posted comments.
It’s now almost one in the morning here in England so I shall have
to call it a day!
Good night and again, thank you.
Good Afternoon, Happy Friday and thank you for this giveaway
My pleasure entirely! Have a great weekend and maybe check out my first chapter on Amazon!
Congrats on the new book and good luck on the book tour!
Thank you so much! It’s hugely satisfying being a writer – as well as frustrating. When it’s going well it’s the best feeling in the world, when it’s not it’s sheer misery. But writers can’t not write so we keep plugging away until we get it right. Lovely to interact with you.
Great review! Excited to read this book!
Thank you! I have been fortunate to receive many glowing reviews on my book and, without being too conceited, I think they have some merit! I hope you enjoy it. I certainly enjoyed writing it.
Hope your weekend is great and thanking you for the giveaway
My pleasure. A good weekend to you too!
Sounds great,thanks for sharing!
My pleasure entirely! It’s well worth a read, not just a story about life in India but a tale of people’s life and love problems. Rose has a daughter who’s estranged, Hannah has a mother who is ever present, ever demanding.
Sunday blessings to all and thanks so much for the opportunity to win
Sorry for the delay in replying but it wouldn’t accept my post yesterday. Hopefully this will go and I can wish you retrospective Sunday blessings.
Most books seem to be better than the movie; is there a movie that you think was better than the book?
I really can’t think of one and I would rarely want to see a book I’d read on screen. However, a good movie will direct me towards the book!
looks like a great read to add to my collection!
Is your to be read pile anything as high as mine? I do find though that I have less patience than I did, and abandon books more quickly if they don’t grab me. I awaited Maggie O’Farrell’s new one with great anticipation but stopped halfway. Great disappointment as I’ve just loved all her other books. I’ve started Rose Tremain’s The Gustav Sonata now and it’s so good.
Monday so soon? Hope you have a great week and thank you for the chance to win
The beginning of another week to get my debut novel out there! It’s hard work but books – reading and writing – are my passion. Here in England it’s warm and sunny for the first time this year and it’s wonderful! Hope the sun is shining wherever you are.
What is your favorite pleasure food?
Oh it has to be chocolate! Not expensive, sophisticated dark chocolate but full of fat milk or even better white chocolate. When my children were small I’d pinch theirs when they were in bed.
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win, I appreciate it
You’re very welcome! It’s an opportunity for me too – to get my novel out there so that people can have an opportunity to see what an interesting read it is.
Dropping by to wish everyone a happy Wednesday! 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to offer us this giveaway
Have a fun Saturday and I want you to know how much I appreciate the giveaway. Thank You!
Hello and I am back saying thank you once again for the opportunity you have given us to win this giveaway
Good Morning and thank you for this opportunity you have given us to win
Happy Monday! Weekend sure went by quick. Thank you for the giveaway
I am really enjoying this book tour! Thank you for your honest review. Thank you for the giveaway! 🙂
You are welcome. I hope you enjoyed the excerpt. Good luck!