Mandala

by Pearl S. Buck | Health, Mind & Body | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
Registered by whimzykat of Fredonia, Arizona USA on 4/22/2005
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
1 journaler for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by whimzykat from Fredonia, Arizona USA on Friday, April 22, 2005
from Penzy's library, her gift to me.

Journal Entry 2 by whimzykat from Fredonia, Arizona USA on Wednesday, March 21, 2007
This one surprised me. I’d never read anything by Buck, so I had no idea what to expect, but I know I did not expect a tale of India’s transition from British rule and the age of Princes to a modern united India.

The story takes place in the early 60’s when China invades with its superior force. Other than the death of a young soldier, that has little to do with the story. Mainly, the tale revolves around the three surviving members of the soldier’s family: the father, a prince, and his royal wife and daughter. Each ends up attracted to a westerner for their humor, intelligence, and self-awareness. Buck addresses some of the issues about arranged marriages, such as the unknown quantity of love, development of communication, and traditional expectation.

The Prince wants to keep his family affluent after the royalty ends and imports an American to turn a spare palace into a luxury hotel. He then meets an unusual, wealthy, and independent American woman who decides that the Prince is her destiny. Meanwhile, the Prince’s wife, Moti, has a deep philosophical relationship with the local Catholic English missionary priest. The daughter, Veera, has reservations about her pending arranged marriage and develops an attraction to the American hotelier.

The situations, generally, read believably, but I had issues with them anyway. The American woman is like none I’ve ever met, but the American man is dead on as a happy-go-lucky boy from the Midwest made good. I particularly did not like the fact that each of these relationships, ultimately, was decided by the westerners, leaving the Indians as passive sufferers who simply accept fate without contributing to it. This could be part of the culture, but it still bothers me.

I loved the parts about Indian culture! The love and respect for all living things made me homesick for a place and time I’ve never been. The simple acceptance of the supernatural as an everyday occurrence, such as the reincarnation of the soldier, made me wish I lived there. I’ve always been fascinated by the world of India, its multiple deities, its holistic lifestyle, its darkness, and particularly, its fashions. I really want to wear a sari someday. Off topic, I know, but I think they are the most beautiful garments in the world.

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.