The Mango Season

I consumed this, I love reading books about different lives, traditions, and cultures. This book hit all of the marks on that, such a wonderful insight into a culture I have no actual familiarity with. I was able to travel to another place, and experience things I can only ever hope to see one day for myself. Can’t wait to read the next one! And hopefully 100 more stories from Amulya Malladi.

This novel offers you a wonderful viewpoint of Indian Culture - a peek inside the curtain. It particularly focuses on a traditional mother/ daughter tie and the wonderful, world of womens minds. From a 'familial role' point of view, any woman should be able to find someone in the tale they can relate to and appreciate. It's a gripping read as this young woman emotionally travels through her decisions of how much truth to reveal to her family during a visit to her native home in India from the United States where she has been working and has become engaged secretly. It is hard to put the book down, but don't worry, it is a fast read as well as a fun one. Perfect for a plane trip.

The brightest element of this work is its evocation of the family tradition of extended female members uniting yearly in the laborious process of making mango pickle. However, I found the characters to be either flat characatures of universal types or unevenly developed. The family "one up-manship" of talent and pride in picking the best mango, in skills related to the process, etc., are the back-biting pecking order innuendos that are perhaps ubiquitous. The mother, however, shows me nothing but rigid thinking. The case isn't clearly made for why this young woman cares so much for her approval or the others' opinions. Good grief, all they do is put our heroine back in the same slot that she occupied in relationship ten years previously when she had left. Also, the central character swings widely from mature and insightful to petty and needy. I'd have been much more interested if the author had developed the character of the subserviant "unmarriageable" cousin, "ugly" and in a vulnerable position, whose role is servant and general stray dog that everyone has tacit permission to kick around. And the coup de grace, the damning period, is the trick ending. good grief. This is closer to Bollywood than any semblance to serious literature. In fact, it isnt literature; it's fiction gussied up because it's from an Indian writer. This one wasn't ready for prime time. I had hoped that the mango itself would become a central metaphor, and that the character would come to a self revelation from the experience, but alas, her inner conflict, for me, is way underdeveloped and poorly explored.

This book is a journey through spices and culture of India. The drama of the now American daughter, who doesn't want to follow the tradition of arranged marriage, is enough to keep readers entertained, but the novel offers some many layers about the traditions of India that are quite interesting. It is beautifully written. The words burst on the page much like a biting into a juicy mango.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, particularly because I know the language and the traditions of the place and could therefore immerse myself in the story. For an Indian-American the story is particularly appealing since it is based on an area and traditions with which one is closely familiar. An excellent narration of the compulsions of a tradition-ridden society. The interplay between the the members of a family in an urban environment of Hyderabad which is yet to emerge into routine acceptance of relationships in which both caste and ethnicity and ultimately colour of the skin makes good reading. A well written story by one obviously familiar with inter-national and inter-racial complexity plus Indian caste traditions makes excellent reading. Personally, I am familiar with the geography and social characteristics of the places described by the author. Makes excellent and engrossing reading.

Although it doesn’t take much for me to get swept away by a Malladi novel, “The Mango Season” took me for a ride. I felt the full spectrum of emotions from happiness and laughter to anger and emptiness. I loved the unexpected turns, and the realistic struggles of the characters. The characters are relatable and each with their own obstacles and growth. As an added bonus, you are given delightful Indian recipes and cultural tidbits for your own growth and development. Excellent.

Good reading, I enjoyed it. Who grew up in India and did not like mangoes? If so many things Indian are associated with one thing - why not this celestial fruit. Readers with close ties to India through birth or other wise some how familiar with the culture will enjoy the book. A reader with no exposure to the Indian culture may struggle to understand some of the content, but, if you go to the book with an open mind, you will still walk away with a smile in your heart. After all, there is still the cross-cultural love story aspect pitted against family pressures in the book. Amulya is a simple writer, but, she expresses her feelings with passion and clarity. You can taste the humid heat of India, the smells and visions with her writing. I also enjoyed the creative inclusion of home recipes involving mangoes in the book. Amulya realistically portrays the conflicting emotions, thoughts and actions of an expat going home after a while. Where is home anyway? The classic divided soul living in 2 countries at the same time. Good reading, especially for the homesick expat Indian leaving outside of India.

I loved the story it was very interesting to see how different the Indian girls are treated.it was a little biffecult with word.but I used a dictionary.thanks for a great read.I will sure recommend this book.

I liked it that I could relate a lot to the Indianness of this book and it took me back to some of my childhood days. And it's been a while that I read fiction and I am glad I read something that I could relate to. My thoughts are very similar to Priyas thoughts in the book and I am equally or more rebellious (righteous). Overall, a good read

Very interesting book. The detail of indian culture and issues is very enlightening. I think the author writing about cultural changes through her characters is great.

Must read!

I love the imagery used in this book. I've been buying bottled mango chutney after reading this. The only thing I don't like about it is the hypocrisy of the main character.

I am really impressed by this beautiful work of Mrs. Malladi. Each and every character is a candid representation of our day today life people. Author has genuinely portrayed the intricacies of family, cultural dispute between India and America through the character Priya. How Priya has given her strong vibes to even her own family women who are in the clutches of their thatha is vividly depicted. What I really liked is how Priya, a girl of twenty seven has guts to explore her authentic wish of marrying a foreigner to her family; as well as her longing for her own family and at last how she acquired both. Malladi mam hats off for your work!