The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

Apart from loving Umrigar’s writing (I’ve read everything she has put out), I find books about India fascinating – maybe because part of me wants to go there but finds it “safer” via books. The basic story is told in the cover blurb – Frank and Ellie who were the perfect couple – in love and with a gorgeous boy – who find that the loss of a child can either make or break a couple.

We are taken into the hearts and minds of these two people to see how they have coped with the situation. Ellie decides to move on with life, while Frank can’t until he finds a “replacement” for their son. Moving to India to work for a company which could be seen as an exploiter of the indigenous people, doesn’t help their situation.

My only concern is the structure – would be interested to know what others think. Why not do a straight chronological narrative? Why cut the narrative to go back in time to catch up to the present, considering that we knew most of it already.

Get ready for lots of twists, turns and surprises.

When the war began by John Marsden

This is the first in a series about a group of teenagers who are camping in a very isolated bush area when Australia is invaded. There are many in the series. Imagine if you and your friends were the only ones around to help save your country from invaders. Exciting, scary stuff.

This is a trailer for the movie which is to be released later in 2010.