Tuesday 16 October 2012

Book Review : Eat,Pray,Love and Sweet Offerings


Author : Elizabeth Gilbert
Pages : 352 p
Rating : 4/10

Synopsis : One woman's search for everything across Italy,India and Bali (Indonesia).The story revolves around 32 year old Elizabeth Gilbert,educated, a successful writer, had herself a wonderful home and a loving husband.However,she was unhappy in her marriage and often spent time sleeping on her bathroom floor. She soon separates from her husband and initiating a divorce.Soon she embarks on a rebound relationship which continued for sometime but did not work out leaving her devastated and alone.

 She soon embarks on a journey after writing an article on yoga in bali, Gilbert met a 9th generation medicine men (Ketut Liyar) who told her to she would come back one day and study with him.After finalizing her bitter divorce, Gilbert embarks on her long journey,a trip paid for in advance from a book deal by her publisher. 

She spends 4 months in Italy enjoying life and eating  (Eat) , 3 months in India finding her spirituality  (Pray) and ends up in Bali,Indonesia (Love) where she finds love.

My Review : I spent nearly 2 two months completing this book. Not because it was hard to read but because I find it boring. I seriously don't know what made it a no1 best-seller.If I wanted to read a book like this,I'll just head on over to a Christian Book store and buy me a book,probably even much better.I finished it by the way,I just had to.Never touching this book ever. Even the movie Sucked aswell..Urghh


Author : Chan Ling Yap
Pages : 345
Rating : 8.5/10

Synopsis : Set between the late 1930's and 1960's, this is the tale of Mei Yin, a young Chinese girl from an impoverished family.Her destiny is shaped when she is sent to Kuala Lumpur to become the ward and the companion of the tyrannical and bitter Su Hei who is looking for a suitable wife for her son Ming Kong.. and ultimately a grandson and hair to the family dynasty.

My review : I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoyed the history bits. The Japanese conquered Bristish ruled Malaya and Singapore from 1941-1945.The Brits ran off like headless chickens leaving the people of Malaya to fend for themselves. During the occupation an estimated of 100,000 people were killed.The Kempeitais (Military Police Corps of the Imperial Japanese Army) had a deep hatred for The Chinese.Women,children,young or old were not spared. During the occupation,resistance movement were formed like MPAJA (Malayan People Anti-Japanese Army) and MCP (Malayan Communist Party:Mostly Chinese)..There were traitors  in these resistance groups to pint point who's who and the punishment is cruel.Life back then was hell. People starving, illnesses, living in fear e.t.c. (Just a tad bit history)
 About this book: Only 14,Mei Yin was sent to KL to be groomed as a bride when she turned 18 for Ming Kong.She comes from a poor family.She wanted education,but her family couldn't afford to send her to school,so KL was the only option for her as she was promised an education and later on a bride.
Su Hei - She's the 2nd wife of a wealthy businessman.She gave birth to MingKong,the only male heir but was raised by the 1st wife as her own son,hence the bitterness of Su Hei...There's also Nelly,Ming Kong's Girlfriend who has a dark past.Each character has their own story.It's a good book overall.
  




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