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Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam

63 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 30/01/2017 10:18

Introducing… Tahmima Anam and her latest novel, The Bones of Grace. Find out how Tahmima uses literature to make sense of these dark times.

Zubaida is on a journey to unearth the past; a journey that takes her away from the comfort of the corridors of Harvard to the scorching deserts of Pakistan. Her travels carry her back to her hometown of Bangladesh, and the dark horrors of a ship-breaking yard. Here, deep inside a beached ocean liner, lies the key to her story.

The Bones of Grace is a story of lost love and conflicted identity; of the urgent need to discover who we are before we can truly belong anywhere, and love anyone.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free book to take part in the discussion - you're welcome to grab a copy of The Bones of Grace and post a review on this thread.

Everyone who posts detailed feedback on the book by midday Monday 20 March will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Canongate

Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam
Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam
OP posts:
vonniebab2 · 08/03/2017 08:36

I enjoyed this book took a little longer to read but all in all a good read

angiehoggett · 08/03/2017 08:52

It's a great concept and storyline but I got lost off and didn't find it kas compelling as it could have been

sophiefx · 09/03/2017 20:49

Normally I'm a big fan of romance books so was looking forward to reading this one but I could not get my head into it. I tried several times to sit down and have a read of the next chapter but it didn't happen. I enjoyed the idea of the choice that Zubaida had to make between an arranged marriage and a marriage of love, but as I couldn't relate well to the character it was hard to invest into the book. This is my first unread/half finished book of 2017!! So disappointed.

NicHay · 12/03/2017 20:44

I've only just started but am not really getting into yet. Lovely description but am feeling a bit confused so far

MNHQ
SorchaMumsnet · 13/03/2017 16:54

To those of you who are concerned about this being the third part of a trilogy, fear not! The book is part of a loose trilogy which follows the life of Zubaida but definitely works as a standalone and doesn't require you to have read the previous books. Enjoy and don't forget to post your feedback by next Monday :)

OP posts:
voyager50 · 13/03/2017 17:03

Thanks Sorcha - I have looked up the other books and I thing I might enjoy them.

I have now finished the book and I didn't like the way it ended in relation to one of the characters but to say who and why would be a spoiler!

StickChildNumberTwo · 13/03/2017 18:56

I'm about 100 pages in and not reading the thread in case of spoilers! I've been drawn in and am fascinated by the different worlds Zubaida is moving between. The academic world is pretty familiar to me (albeit not archaeology), but the other parts of her life are foreign and fascinating.

I'm intrigued to know how her story and the story of the whale are going to continue to interact (and I've only just spotted the relevance of the title - doh!)

hanliying · 13/03/2017 21:08

Now that I have finished the 3rd book in a trilogy, I cannot wait to read the first 2 books.

hobbska · 14/03/2017 10:35

I've finished the book now, it did get more compelling towards the end but I have to say I didn't finish it and think I am going to recommend it to friends. I felt like all the bits of the book didn't really fit together, the whale, the horrendous shipwrecking yard and then the story of Zubaida herself with regards to her upbringing and then her decision between tradition and freedom to choose. I kind of wished the book had centred on one or two of those themes but not all of them. I didn't feel satisfied at the end but also I didn't feel like it was thought-provoking at the end. Sorry that this is negative feedback but thank you for the book because I like reading books that I wouldn't normally pick up - it broadens the mind!

1033MICHELLE · 14/03/2017 12:43

I'm really sorry to say that I just could not get into this book at all. I tried a couple of times but got confused as it se med to jump forwards and backwards. I've passed it onto my mother in law as I'm sure she will enjoy it.

SammyF1976 · 14/03/2017 14:26

I was really looking forward to reading this one but in all honesty I am struggling somewhat with it. I suppose I am about half way through but it's losing my interest. The writing style isn't what I would normally go for and it's almost too descriptive. I'm just bored with it. I will read it to the end because I hate to leave a book unfinished but it's not one I would recommend.

Williamswanderers · 14/03/2017 20:54

I'm only about a third of the way through but really enjoying the story so far - mainly due to my interest being captured by the use of relationships, locations and events that I haven't read about before and are rare topics in your average fiction. The storytelling is beautifully detailed, and based on other reviews I look forward to seeing if I can keep track of the plot!

MyVisionsComeFromSoup · 15/03/2017 14:53

I'm almost half way through, but am finding it both interesting and irritating. Interesting in that it's about things I know very little about and it's very descriptive; and irritating in that the author uses a lot of words to get to where she's going. I read a lot of crime novels, and am used to if the author tells you something, it's important to either the plot, or the series story arc. I'm finding this book's almost "thinking out loud" style hard to get into, and I am having to make myself pick the book up.

I would saythough, if you like this sort of thing, then it's a fantastic read.

rocketriffs · 16/03/2017 10:19

The Bones of Grace is the third part of a trilogy, so I would say read the first two instalments first. A moving novel of a woman trying to find herself and her journey through life, love, education and travels between USA and Bangladesh. Tinged with sadness and melancholy and beautifully written.

FoxInABox · 16/03/2017 14:55

Looking forward to getting started on this tonight!

jameswright45 · 19/03/2017 04:41

great book the wife has read it , im going to read it soon,the wife loved it by the way

kimberleyshowes · 19/03/2017 11:29

Fascinating read with a good plot. I love how descriptive the language is - it really sets the scene and draws you in, however the jumping of times can be a little confusing if your not fully concentrating 3/5

queenoftheschoolrun · 19/03/2017 13:19

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book but I am loving it. I'm torn between wanting to finish it quickly to find out what happens and savouring every description so I can continue enjoying it! I'm delighted to find it's part of a trilogy, though disappointed to have read it out of sequence.

Beautifully written and full of psychological and cultural insights. Will be back when I've finished.

naomicm · 19/03/2017 13:34

I think this is a 'marmite' book! It was originally recommended to me by my friend who thought it was the best book ever written and as I have enjoyed previous recommendations from her I was looking forward to it. I have persevered but still have to say it is in my dnf pile (which is quite small!) I had not realised it was part of a trilogy which may have a bearing but I have been reassured it is only a loosely tied trilogy. I think for me to get lost in a book, I have to step into the shoes of that person and I just couldn't be so pretentious! As I said, I have a few books that I haven't finished and a lot of these are indie books on my kindle which are woefully proof read, terrible grammar and flipping between tenses. I cannot say that about this book. It musical,lyrical and could be thoroughly beautiful and evidently is for some people. Perhaps it overdosed me on melancholy and misery created through indecision. Having been so negative, give it a go, you never know, it may be your book of the year!

Nurseblossom · 19/03/2017 14:57

I also found it quite hard to ' get stuck in' . Once I had turned off outside noises and influences, and just concentrated on the Bones of Grace , I found the story gripping. I am now at the stage where Zubaida is on the ship ' Grace ' and am looking forward to finishing the book and will seek out the other novels of Tahmima Anam

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 19/03/2017 17:04

Interesting book, but quite hard work for me! Requires concentration and brain-power to do it justice, and it does deserve it, but haven't either of those commodities to spare at the moment! It was interesting to learn that the ambulocetus, which is central to the storyline, did in fact exist. This made it much more worth pursuing for me than had it been a fictional creature.

Celama · 19/03/2017 20:51

A beautifully written book that shows the pull between tradition and past and opportunity and progress. This is an ideal Kindle book as you do need to concentrate on the story and the chapters are long so it is good to be able to leave it where you finished reading and pick up later; perfect for passing bus journeys. I really enjoyed this; it was deep and educated me in subjects I had no prior knowledge of but a powerful love story.

jrobbs · 19/03/2017 21:13

This novel is taking me quite a long time to read; every action is descriptively embellished forcing me to close my eyes and visualise each and every one of them. My fellow commuters must be very confused by my reading technique !
My tardy reading is further complicated by the unpredictable switch in timeline. The level of concentration that's required to follow this novel is beginning to make it feel a bit like homework !

todormirchev · 19/03/2017 21:21

Beautifully written and deeply moving story, about cultural tradition, family, and love.I really enjoyed reading the book and would reccomend it.

Dessallara · 19/03/2017 21:33

I've just started it! Not sure if I'm going to be a fan yet!

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