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By: HAMIL 029
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2026-03-03 12:06:33 |
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This book is a great summer read. The setting in colonial Fiji and in the system of indentured labour for the sugar plantations are very well written about. Rao's research has been thorough, and she has the gift of using it in a very readable way. Our sympathy for the indentured Indians is fully engaged. Some chacterisation is maybe a bit flat and the mystery not all that mystifying, though there is a good twist at the end. The main characters of Akal and Tavita are engaging and there is a very likeable English doctor. It's worth reading even just for the historical setting. |
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By: CHCH 020
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2026-02-16 14:50:31 |
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Some members enjoyed this, others chose not to finish or barely start but most agreed it was a good 'first' book for a new writer. We certainly learned about the old system of indentured servitude - maybe today called exploitation or slavery. Our discussion began with photos of today's sugarcane fields and the experiences one of our group had in a role which took her to visit the basic country schools and meetings with Fijians of all ethnicities. She found today's European administrators treated her Indian colleagues as invisible - like Singh! Appreciated Rao's research but predictable outcome. |
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By: WANAK 010
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2026-02-02 20:04:48 |
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Most agreed this was a good, easy read. While we knew a little of the history around the sugar plantations and indentured labour, it was a bit of an eye opener for some and prompted a lot of discussion. |
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By: MARLB 002
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2026-01-13 20:16:29 |
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Whilst the book was informative regarding Indians being indentured to the sugarcane plantations in Fiji, we didn't find it a particularly cerebral read. Some of the characterisation was superficial but we still enjoyed the story as a whole. |
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By: AUCK 272
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2025-12-31 12:19:01 |
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Well researched and an interesting setting. Learnt a lot about this time and practices in Fiji, but disappointed in the writing. |
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By: ROTO 006
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2025-11-28 16:35:14 |
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An easy to read book with an enjoyable story. We all felt we learnt a lot about the Indians in Fiji pre 1920, and this group loves to learn something new in the books they read. |
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By: PALMN 019
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2025-11-25 14:57:16 |
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Several fascinating subplots such as why Singh was sent from Hong Kong to Fiji. Very enjoyable and fast read because of it. Looking forward to further books from this author. Original story and history was very conducive to discussion. |
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By: AUCK 107
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2025-11-20 11:14:01 |
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We all loved this book, and found the background history of Fiji really interesting. Characters were well developed, and several in the group plan to read the next one in the series. |
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By: TAUR 061
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2025-08-19 09:14:00 |
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There's nothing like being absorbed into the culture of another country. Forget the resorts and waving palm trees, what Rao presents is a slick first novel that exposes the underbelly of colonisation in Fiji. The narrative arc, the characterisation along with the setting combined to ensure this is a book we won't forget. |
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By: NEWP 018
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2025-06-23 12:22:42 |
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Really enjoyed the book. Learnt such a lot. |
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By: MAST 019
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2025-06-04 12:25:54 |
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We all enjoyed this book, and thought it was well-paced and very well written. Although the mystery of Kunti's disapperance was a tad predictable, we appreciated the historical and cultural references, albeit (some of which were) confronting. Akal was by far our favourite character and we look forward to more of his cases. We would appreciate the solving the case of the Night Prowler in a future book. |
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By: MATAM 006
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2025-04-30 10:03:26 |
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We all enjoyed this book. Not many from the group knew about the indentured Indians brought over to work the sugar plantations. |
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By: WELL 221
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2025-04-16 10:04:21 |
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Half the group enjoyed/loved the writing, the other half described it as 'okay', but everyone found the historical aspects very interesting. |
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By: CHCH 241
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2025-02-26 11:51:23 |
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Really enjoyable read. Great plot and good discussion about indentured Indians. We are looking forward to the sequel. |
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By: LOWER 025
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2024-09-18 10:18:58 |
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The group really enjoyed this fast paced book with its interesting and relatable characters. All in the group knew little of the indentured servants and found it interesting that the balance of power in Fiji now appears to have shifted! We also enjoyed the book being set in a place we all know well and felt the story took us on a journey. Look forward to her next novel. |
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By: DUNED 115
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2024-08-26 10:22:04 |
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What a blimmin great book. We loved the history and the strong characters. A bit predictable but in a good way. Lots to chat about. |
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By: WESTP 001
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2024-07-15 10:18:54 |
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We all rated this book as a good read. The characters are mostly, likeable. We learned about the indenture system which brought Indians to Fiji to work in the sugarcane plantations in the early 1990s, and there was enough mystery to keep us interested in the book through the 272 pages. We would read a sequel, perhaps the Night Prowler crime will be solved and Akal's honour will be restored. |
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By: CHCH 125
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2024-06-10 10:17:54 |
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Our Group enjoyed this book. We didn't know much about the indentured servitude system in Fiji, and the human story interwoven with the historical information made it very readable. We hope that Nilima Rao writes a sequel. |
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By: WAIKA 012
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2024-05-20 12:36:23 |
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Some of our group found this to be very light with limited character development and a predictable plot. Others found this to be its strength - unchallenging and enjoyable. The context of Fijian Indians was illuminating. |
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By: WAIKA 001
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2024-04-18 10:35:00 |
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Everyone thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book by the author. Several mentioned that they are looking forward to her second book. Many issues mentioned in the book were discussed, including colonisation. |
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By: CHCH 488
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2024-03-09 20:19:47 |
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We all liked this book, not as much for the story as for the characters and setting. An awful part of history depicted in a way that didn't shy away from the brutality but was somehow still light hearted and easy to read. |
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By: TAUR 047
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2024-02-12 14:58:35 |
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Most enjoyable. Very descriptive. Characters very believable. Would recommend. |
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