Anita and Me

Rating:
Summary: Simply wonderful
Review: A very wonderful and touching tale of a young Indian girl growing up in a small Midlands town in 1960s England. The book succeeds on two levels, both as the coming of age tale of young girl, dealing with her "differentness" and desire to assimilate, and as the story of a whole generation of immigrants from the subcontinent. In many ways it has that "young adult" book feel to it, lots of familiar clichéd plot devices and characters, but the nicely drawn setting makes it very different from what American readers may be used to. In particular, the use of slang stand out as particularly well-written. The only quibble I have is the jumbling of pop-culture references which don't seem to make any sense: 1960's "To Kill A Mockingbird" is called a "new" book from America, whereas fashion references seem to place it as late 60s, whereas teen heartthrob references (Donny Osmond, Shaun Cassidy) seem to place it in the 70s, and skinhead fashions are of the 1968-9 era. These are minor annoyances though, and barely distract from the touching and sometimes gut wrenching story of a little girl learning about herself.

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic story that is very realistically told
Review: I came across this book by accident while I was visiting England. It is a great story. As a young 30 something myself, who grew up as an "ethnic minority" in a small community in rural upstate New York, I was amazed at the similarities in experiences that faced English Meena and the American me. I really applaud the way this book was written. Instead of making the reader feel sorry for Meena, we laugh with her, and share in her natural exuberance of life. The book also follows Meena's loss of innocence from childhood through adolescence; a loss that is unfortunately part of growing up. I felt that this book crossed cultural boundaries and would appeal to many people. I really liked the book and couldn't put it down until I'd finished reading it. A "must read" book.

Rating:
Summary: Different, Yet the Same
Review: I recommend that everyone should read "Anita and Me" by Meera Syal. This story, that of a young Indian girl growing up in a British town, is really a universal tale. Feeling the temptation to rebel against your parents, needing to be one of the "cool" kids, and struggling between what is right and wrong are all important things every child must go through. Meena, the main character of "Anita and Me", is no exception. Although she is Indian, she has many childhood experiences anyone could relate to. That is what makes this story so great. It points out that underneath our skin color, everyone is human. Unfortunately for Meena, not everyone in her town always feels that way. Meena's family is accepted by their British neighbors, but only when they act "British". Whenever they showed even the smallest aspects of their Indian culture, they were ignored, or even shunned. "Anita and Me" reminds us not to fall into a trap of prejudice as so many in Meena's town did. Meera Syal, the author of the story, challenges every reader to reassess what we consider "civilized" and to look beyond the color of someone's skin to find their worth, but to look at their character.

Rating:
Summary: A book about coming of age
Review: Many parts of this book reminded me of what my own childhood was like; yearning to be with the "In" crowd, getting into constant trouble with my family, having a field day making fun of my neighbors. I also like how Meena seems to blossom from a being hostile, confused girl to being a confident young lady, considering that she is only nine. Maybe this is a result of all the zany activities Meena goes through in the book.

Though the novel is called 'Anita and Me', it really seemed more about the relationship between Meena and her immigrant family and friends. The book really gives an insight into a family that has to deal with culture clashes and strident racism on a regular basis.

I also like the colorful characters who live in this English hamlet. From Anita to Auntie Shaila, they make the book as a whole look complete with their eccentricities and good old English/Indian humor! A must read for those who want to get into a mature and fascinating book about a 'different' type of childhood.

Rating:
Summary: a great portrayal of a 9-y-o girl
Review: Meena is the 9-year-old child of immigrants from India to a small English town called Tollington. She has decided to befriend a local tough schoolfriend named Anita, not that her parents like her very much. She wants to break away from her folks and make her own friends, yet is still proud of her Indian family and culture. Her town is a bit in disagreeance --- as long as they aren't "too Indian" and try to assimilate, then they are all right.

Anita has Indian friends separate from her "British" friend, including a girl gang led by Anita. It's a great snapshot of one girl's year in the life, and it was both sad and mirthful. All girls of any age and culture will identify and appreciate this work.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: Meera has captured the character of Meena in a way that gives a wonderful account of an Indian girl growing up in England. Many works have been written on the same theme, this one however stands apart. You can feel that the author herself has had or has been a witness to many similar experiences, which she describes in the book. Overall this was a fun read. I will also recommend the reader to see a movie called "Bhaji on the beach" for which Syal is the scriptwriter.
I really thought hard and could not think of anything other than five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Anita and Me!
Review: Oh how I enjoyed this one my dad asked me to read it and I absolutley adored this book about the Kumar's living in the 1900's or so and racism she endured. It was hilarious at SSR I would be laughing my heart out, and everyone would look at me funny. It was sad, but enjoyable. Meena is not accepted into the English world, but doesn't seem to fit in with her Indian family. You can relate if you are a kid who lies a lot trying to make your life exciting. Meena is a very enjoyable character she's smart, funny, imaginitive, creative (same thing i guess), charming, and witty. This is a book as a kid I reccomend for everyone!

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating!
Review: This book did what all good books do - it dragged me into the world of the characters. Meena is the 9 year old daughter of Indian immigrants, living in a small town called Tollington.

Through her eyes we see her world, her impatience to grow up, her wish to fit in with the local people, her naughty streak and her desire to befriend the bad girl of the area, Anita.

It's a tough time for Meena growing up in this town. She sounds like a local, yet doesn't look like them. She is accepted as one of 'them', yet when another Indian is beaten and ends up in hospital, openly jeered and ridiculed by her friends, she finds herself stuck with the knowledge that she is stuck with a foot in both worlds.

Her Namina (grandma) comes to stay and during this time Meena discovers and learns more about her family and history and slowly embraces the old customs and language.

It is an adventurous year for Meena, as she begins to see that people around her are not always what they appear to be.

Meera Syal has done a superb job in capturing the small world of a child. There are laughs, frowns and sighs to be had, whilst reading this wonderful tale of Meera. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Rating:
Summary: Where do I belong?
Review: This book oozes humanity and charm, humor and brilliant observations, the magic of being a child and the adventure of life.

Meera Syal, who is also an absolutely fabulous comedian - see Goodness Gracious Me, BBC - has me so enamored with here writing and acting that I wait impatiently for the next book or show.

W would recommend this to my best friends, and also "Life isn't all ..." which is also very funny.

Regards,

Martyn R Jones

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This is a great book - humour and sadness all mixed up together. We read it in our reading group and the girls liked it especially. I think if you are in your early 30s and around the same age as the author (I think?!) you recognise so much of what it was like to be growing up in the late 60s/early 70s. The stuff about being in a girl "gang" was so perfectly evoked! The exploration of growing racism in the village and how it relates to industrial growth and unemployment was revealing yet understated. Recommended.