Reviewed By: Swapna Peri

Thoughts
This book, Sugarbread by Balli Kaur Jaiswal, is a stunning story of ten-year-old Pin (Parveen), who lives and grows up in Singapore in the early 90s. Hers is a simple life with her friends, football, and a happy childhood with her parents. Right from the start, the story and mention of food go hand in hand. This is one of the interesting aspects of Jaiswal’s writing. The book is about life. It is about a young girl living in a land where her mother protects her dreams. Pin or Parveen, her deeds are insulated by her mother from the evil and tormenting realities of life. Though the plot looks complicated, it is quite engaging.

The story’s narration is flowing, shocking, disturbing, fascinating and haunting. The attractive point of the story is in the initial pages of the story. The story is so engaging from the initial pages itself, and as the readers turn the pages, they will get involved in the story immensely. The situations explained that happen in reality in every part of the world hooks the readers’ minds. The chaos, the woes and the cries are vividly explained.

Characters:
The book’s characters are so realistic that a reader might find his or her reflection in the characters. Like in real life, the characters deal with every human emotion. Be it happiness, sadness, disappointments or disagreements; there are life-changing sequences written so realistically that the readers cannot stop lauding the author’s writing.

Writing Style:
Author Balli Kaur Jaiswal is known and admired for her writing skills. This is my second book of hers and her story-telling is absolutely engaging. Wherever possible, Miss Jaiswal points the indifferences and biased shown by the Singaporean nationals. Other than this, the cultural aspects affecting the living of the people in a land different from their land is shown well.

The language used in the story is effective. I used the word effective because there are certain places where her writing skills surprise the readers. The idioms and the analogies she uses in explaining some emotions is stunning.

Who can read:
I recommend the book for those readers who are the readers of serious fiction. The book will interest those readers who like cross-border issues and nationalities related circumstances.

Our Final Verdict:
Sensitive, empathetic and interesting!