This email is from a former Calcuttan, Jillian Brand,
who has lived in Switzerland for more than 30 years:
What can I say! Brilliant! Absolutely bloody brilliant! I have enjoyed every single word, every minute of reading `Vegemite Vindaloo', and I was so sorry I finished it today. Give yourself a BIG pat on the back and keep writing!
You totally transported me back to Calcutta – took me back to my youth. I felt cocooned in warm memories made so alive again by your writing. It was amazing how this book made me feel – yes, feel. I could see, smell almost, what you had put into words.
The New Market, where one old coolie would wait for my Mum – he knew when she would be coming and at what time, and he would be waiting. She never took any other coolie – and the patience that man had! The wetness of the Flower Market and the crushed stems everywhere. The Meat Market, where I would hold my breath and run through as quickly as I could, because of the awful smell! Needed to get to the other side, because that was where Mum bought her spices and rice!
What touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes, was your reference to the CEL Fete! This was the Fete of the year. Your Mum and mine, Ivy Bird, Mrs Makin, all bustling around St. Nicholas’s Stall. It was always a beautiful day and I used to love planning what to wear weeks in advance and always, always had a good time. Wonderful memories.
I could go on and on, but then you might think I was writing a book too! I really just wanted you to know how very, very proud I am of you. Well done, and please continue writing – because you are a talented writer and have one BIG fan – me!
Your book shows, in particular, how much you love the city of your birth – Calcutta. It’s not just the places you have mentioned, but your talent lies in opening the box! Creating a picture! Making your readers part of the story. I read quite a lot, but no book has touched me and lingered, as much as your Vegemite Vindaloo. Maybe as it was written about Calcutta, the city I too loved, this obviously plays a large part, but there was something more, and I think it lies in your story telling.
You have awakened, through your writing, a place inside me that I haven’t visited for a very long time. As we reach adulthood, Life takes over and with all its trials and tribulations; one very often forgets the warm, peaceful place inside ourselves that is our Retreat, and this place you have given back to me. Thank you. Don’t mean to sound soppy – but it’s exactly how I feel.
I felt totally involved with the characters right up to the end of the book, and when I realised there were only 4 more pages to go, I thought “oh, no – there has to be a sequel, a continuation, another book carrying on the story of Azam. What happened to him, his family in India, ? This can’t be the end”. To begin with, I was quite upset that the book ended as it did!
Then, as you so rightly hoped, I did go back to the beginning of the book, and realised who the football hero was! All was then clear! You achieved what you wanted – something unique. Still didn’t stop me from being disappointed that I had finished the book!
One of the cutest touches you put in was Phillip! “Yeah, men”, “… now I’m on my turd”! Oh, how I laughed! I could just imagine the accent as well! The other of course – perfect – was “soo-soo”!!!!!! And thanks too for the whole of “nini baba nini, makhan roti chini …!! I knew these two lines, but not the rest, now I can sing the full rhyme to my grandson. He’s been short changed till now!
I think every A.I. home should have a copy of your book in pride of place. When I visit India next January, I’ll get some more copies for my friends and I am sure they will enjoy it as much as I have. I’m not parting with my copy.
Jillian Brand, Switzerland
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