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Breakfast with the Nikolides
Breakfast with the Nikolides: A Novel | Rumer Godden
3 posts | 4 read | 3 to read
A troubled European family struggles to make a life in India during WWII in this absorbing novel from a New York Timesbestselling author (Kirkus Reviews). Eight years ago, Louise Pool left her husband, Charles, in India, fleeing a marriage marked by anger, disillusion, and mistrust. Now, with Europe engulfed in the flames of World War II and Germanys Nazi juggernaut rolling through occupied France, Louise is reluctantly returning to East Bengal, where Charles runs a government farm that hosts an Indian agricultural school. Back to this oppressive land she brings with her their two young daughters, who barely remember their father. For plain, awkward, eleven-year-old Emily, the homecoming offers both an exciting change from cosmopolitan Paris and a harsh immersion into the adult world. Intrigued by the sights, sounds, and smells of her exotic new home, shes left free to exploreand enjoy the hospitality and kindness of their glamorous neighbors, the Nikolides. Emilys already contentious relationship with her mother is only worsened, however, by Louises intense hatred of rural India and its people and her continued unhappiness with the marriage she insists is temporary. The faults and foibles of both parents and the irreparable cracks in their union become all too apparent from a daughters close-up perspective. But it is an extreme act of thoughtless cruelty that will ultimately shatter the tenuous bonds of family, violently disrupting the lives of the Pools and the community at large. Fans of the Masterpiece show Indian Summers will enjoy this poignant novel of betrayal, lost innocence, and fragile family ties, which represents the bestselling author of In This House of Brede and Kingfishers Catch Fire at her best. This ebook features an illustrated biography of the author including rare images from the Rumer Godden Literary Estate.
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merelybookish
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This is the 3rd Godden novel I've read, & while not, my favorite, I do enjoy her intricate emotional stories that spin around an event, in this case the death of a pet, that expose larger cracks. Published in 1942, it has some issues. Set in India (where she grew up there), it aims to be sensitive, but has some questionable arguments about European ingenuity. Nevertheless her plotting and insight into human behaviour make for a good read.

merelybookish First book for #192025. One down, 99 to go. 😁 @Librarybelle 2y
Librarybelle Hooray!! One step closer! 2y
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merelybookish
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Airport reading. First book for the #192025 challenge. @Librarybelle
It's a ferries, planes & automobiles kind of travel day. Hoping everything works out. 🤞

vivastory Safe travels! 2y
JamieArc Oh! I forgot we can start counting books for this challenge! 2y
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merelybookish @JamieArc Im excited about it! 2y
Librarybelle Hooray!! Safe travels! 2y
batsy Safe travels! 2y
merelybookish @Librarybelle @batsy It was a long day but we made it home as planned! (Which is not the case for many people flying in Canada this summer.) 2y
Centique I am so envious of the beautiful old edition! #rumerrules 2y
merelybookish @Centique Thank you! I try to pick them up when I see them (which isn't often.) Do you have a favourite? 2y
Centique So far I‘ve only read two of her adult books and my favourite was 2y
Centique But I adored her kids books - Dolls House and Holly and Ivy were my absolute favourites as a child. 2y
merelybookish @Centique Good to know!! I didn't read her as a kid but An Episode of Sparrows is by far my favourite of hers so far and it's for children. I've also read The Greengage Summer (which I liked a lot) and this one. 2y
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ReadingMidwife
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Reminded me of "Heart of Darkness." And I love Rumer Godden. ❤️

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