Nothing Like Love
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A sparkling, witty and confident debut from a rising Canadian star whose Trinidadian roots and riotous storytelling heritage inform her completely delightful novel.
It is 1974 in the town of Chance, Trinidad--home to a colourful cast of cane farmers, rum-drinkers, scandal-mongers . . . and a bright 18-year-old schoolgirl named Vimla Narine. After passing her A-levels with extraordinary results and accepting the coveted teaching post at Saraswati Hindu school, Vimla is caught with the village pundit's son, Krishna Govind. At night. Holding hands. By morning, even the village vagrant has heard the news and the Govinds and Narines find themselves at the heart of Chance's most delicious disgrace since a woman chased her cheating husband from the district with a rolling pin.
Very quickly, Vimla's teaching post is rescinded, her mother goes on strike from everything, her father seeks solace in the rum shop and Vimla is confined to her home. While Vimla waits for Krishna to rescue her, Krishna's father exiles his boy to Tobago with a suitcase of Hindu scriptures and a command: Krishna will become a man of God. It is his duty.
Just when Vimla thinks her fate couldn't be worse, her best friend, Minty, brings word that Krishna has become betrothed to the beautiful Chalisa Shankar. And Chalisa wants to meet Vimla. Together, Vimla and Minty devise a scheme to win Krishna back that involves blackmailing a neighbour, conspiring with Chalisa, secret trysts in cane fields--and unearthing surprising truths that could change Vimla's, Krishna's and Chalisa's lives forever.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ramnanan s delightful debut novel leads the reader on a gratifyingly witty and insightful romp through smalltown politics. Vimla Narine narrates retrospectively from her home in Canada, explaining how she got there from her hometown of Chance, Trinidad. On August 4, 1974, 17-year-old Vimla and Krishna Govind the son of the village priest are found holding hands, a reputation-shattering act. The consequences for Vimla are severe: she is labeled a jammette and loses her hard-earned job as a teacher. Meanwhile, Krishna gets a slap on the wrist and an immediate arranged marriage to another woman. The harsh judgments against Vinla are ingeniously and infuriatingly juxtaposed against the discovery of much more serious indiscretions committed by those who have judged her, and Vimla and her friend Minty use this information to their entertaining advantage. For many side characters, this is a coming-of-age story. Reaction to Vimla and Krishna s innocent act helps them discover what, or whom, they want to fight for or against. While the pacing is sometimes languid, the sharp wit and barbs in the dialogue keep this novel lively. Martha Webb, Anne McDermid & Associates.
