Kingfishers Catch Fire was published in 1953 and was ‘compounded of three years’ living, thinking and perhaps dreaming in Kashmir.’It is said to be Rumer Godden’s most autobiographical novel and if you’ve read anything of her life you can find similarities between that and parts of this story. It’s interesting that Godden took the first … Continue reading Kingfishers Catch Fire by Rumer Godden
India
Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden
Although there are some similarities between Rumer Godden’s books, In This House of Brede (1969) and Black Narcissus (1939), the settings are poles apart. Both depict a community of nuns; the former in a traditional setting in a convent in England, and the latter, a small group in Mopu, a remote village in the Himalayas. … Continue reading Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden
Back to the Classics: Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh (1956)
The Partition of India in 1947 is something I've been interested in for a long time but it wasn't until I read Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh that I had any idea of the scope of the tremendous upheaval, tragedy and heartache it caused. An arbitrary line drawn by an 'Empire on whom the … Continue reading Back to the Classics: Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh (1956)
Ambleside Online Year 5 – Reading Kim by Rudyard Kipling
Kim is scheduled for Literature in Term 3 of Ambleside Online Year 5. I started listing vocabulary that I thought may need some explanation and research but then I came across this very helpful chapter by chapter resource at the Kipling Society website. I think it covers just about everything that … Continue reading Ambleside Online Year 5 – Reading Kim by Rudyard Kipling
journey & destination 