{"product_id":"a-maidens-prayer-srianthi-perera-9781735412009","title":"A Maiden's Prayer: A Family Story Set in 1970s Sri Lanka","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbsorbing and delightful literary novel for a rainy day\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Multicultural Fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- Highly Commended Book, 2021 South Asia Book Awards, Young Adult Literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this coming-of-age literary novel set in tropical 1970s Sri Lanka, teenager Tamara de Silva reflects with wit and warmth on the story of her uncle's marriage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBerty Uncle, an engineer with a lucrative job in the Middle East, has plenty of girlfriends, but a laidback approach to matrimony. Despite the family's wild machinations, including employing crafty matchmakers and organizing drawing room meetings, Berty proceeds recklessly according to his own fancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis rejection of tradition brings startling and unexpected results. Consequently, both he and Tamara learn that one ignores the ancient ways at one's own peril.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders will gain insight into the following: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eSri Lankan culture: \u003c\/strong\u003e Tamara's sharp-eyed narration open a window to a mostly unknown culture, still feeling effects of colonization by Portuguese, Dutch and British.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eAstrology: \u003c\/strong\u003e Sri Lankan beliefs in the power of Vedic Astrology and the role an individual's character plays in precipitating his karma.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003eUnique coming-of-age traditions of the time.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- \u003cstrong\u003ePolitical: \u003c\/strong\u003e The 70s were a turbulent period in the country's history. The world's first female prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike's policies resulted in food shortages, rationing and a rising cost of living. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's a difficult time for the masses, yet Tamara's comical insights puts all things into meaningful perspective. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCultural travelers and fans of literary novels from the Indian Subcontinent will love this time capsule of a book, suitable for ages 16 and up. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Srianthi Perera\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1735412007\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781735412009\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Srianthi Perera\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/23\/2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.94lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.75d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.9\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 15\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade Plus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e513270 \/ Maiden's Prayer: A Family Story Set in 1970s Sri Lanka\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Srianthi Perera","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43995920236799,"sku":"9781735412009","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_c2a64bfc-f6de-4260-9e53-196b806d13ed.jpg?v=1683338644","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/a-maidens-prayer-srianthi-perera-9781735412009","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}