Bead Bai - Review Written by
Elaine Miranda (Painter) on Amazon.ca
5.0 out of 5 stars - A must read. May 23
2013
There are two ingredients that I require in a book
selection, a great story and engaging complex characters. Bead Bai meets both
of these expectations and delivers so much more. Sultan Somjee is the
consummate storyteller and he writes with the same artistic vision as his main
character, Sakina. She exhibits incredible depth and strength in her journey to
become the artist she is destined to be. Somjee's Bead Bai took me to an
exciting colourful world and he taught me things about a culture I knew nothing
about and all with the breathtaking canvas of Africa setting the stage. The
writing is rich and textured and weaves like a tapestry taking his characters
on a journey towards their respective destinies.
Although I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters in
Bead Bai I especially connected with Sakina. I now feel that she is a friend of
mine and I have been there to share in her fears, to lament her losses and to
celebrate her triumphs. I have watched her grow from a young girl, to a wife,
mother and ultimately into the artist every fiber of her being demands of her.
To quote Somjee "one needs to eat this story" chew
it slowly and savour every morsel.
