A lovely book, well researched and offering a real flavour of Kashmir, both in the present day, and back in the wartime years of the 1940s. There are 2 time frames here. The present day, when Mair from the Welsh valleys conceives the wish to vist the part of Kashmir where her grandparents were missionarie; and the story from the war years, when Nerys and her husband participate in long-gone ways of life as members of the British community there. Mair's involvement in her grandmother's past, her increasing desire to unpick the mysteries surrounding aspects of Nery's life, are always believable, the coincidences never far-fetched. These are characters to believe in, a story-line to relish, and a tale to become absorbed in over several winter evenings. This was a good epic novel. I read about 30 minutes each night before going to sleep for several months. I found it engaging and looked forward to picking it up every evening, however, it was not a page tuner in the sense that it kept me up reading too late or drew me in during the day when I should be working. The character development was a big positive, and I appreciated learning about this period in history from a European author. She did a good job of weaving the present day story in with the past, and tying it together for the ending. Having lived overseas myself, I think she did a great job of juxtaposing the weatlth of expatriates versus the poverty of India.
What do You think about Kashmir Shawl (2012)?
It was hard to get into but then it just kept getting better and better. Stick with it.
—mari
Loved the story set in the past but could have done without the added on modern story.
—Vaeda
Loved hearing about the grandmothers story not so much about the grand daughter
—james
