Wednesday 11 September 2013

A Book recommendation.

There are some places, some cities, in the world that hold a magical fascination just in their names, and for me, one of those places is Kashgar.   So when I read (on someone's blog but I can't remember whose) ** about a book called 'A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar' I just had to have it. Popping over to Amazon (it is all too easy isn't it?) I found that it wasn't a travel book as I had thought, but a novel.  But the recommendation sounded good and the word Kashgar was still a draw for me.  I sent for it.

I have not been disappointed and can  thoroughly recommend it to you all.   The writer, Suzanne Joinson is herself widely travelled across the Middle East, North Africa, China and Europe and at present lives on the South Coast.

It is two stories in one really; part of it about two sisters who travel to China - en route for Kashgar which they never actually reach because of rebellion - with a strong minded missionary called Millicent in order to set up a Christian mission.   They are hated everywhere they go and treated with suspicion.   But en route they find a very young girl by the side of the road in the final pangs of child birth.   The girl dies and the writer of this part of the novel more or less adopts the child.  This makes them even more unpopular.   In her spare moments between cooking all the meals and caring for the baby the writer of The Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar begins to write about their life there.

Running alongside is the story of a present day young woman who herself seems adrift, who is confronted by a refugee from the middle east, who literally camps on her doorstep.  

These two stories run along together but gradually they collide as a surprising story about the past suddenly becomes part of the
present.

Paul Torday, who wrote 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' calls it
'A haunting, original and beautifully written tale.'

Do try to get hold of a copy to read.   You won't be disappointed.
(£5.59 from Amazon)
**  It was on Pondside's blog - so thank you so much for that.

7 comments:

Pondside said...

I think that was on my blog, a week or so ago, Pat. Don't you love it? I am always looking at blogs I like for book recommendations, and I've not yet been steered wrong. I love the link, across the continent and ocean, to your lovely farm, as we read the same books.

Em Parkinson said...

I'll definitely try that - thanks Pat.

Heather said...

That sounds like an interesting and intriguing story - I will look out for it.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

This sounds quite interesting. thank you!

mrsnesbitt said...

Need to sort out some books for winter reading.

Titus said...

Thanks Weaver, my reading list keeps growing but that sounds good!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Hope anyone who reads it enjoys it as much as I have done.