In the bustling city of Bangkok, Nongchat seemed to have it all - youth, charm, and a privileged upbringing. But one drunken night, a lost bet lands him at an elephant sanctuary in Krabi. There, he meets Thanasak, a rugged veterinarian, and sparks fly amidst hilarious mishaps. What began as clashes of city versus country soon blossomed into a deep bond, filled with laughter, love, and a shared passion for the gentle giants. Join them on a heartwarming journey of discovery, where unexpected twists lead to a life filled with joy, understanding, and the true meaning of love.
A stunning, powerful debut novel set against the backdrop of the Cambodian War, perfect for fans of Chris Cleave and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie For seven-year-old Raami, the shattering end of childhood begins with the footsteps of her father returning home in the early dawn hours bringing details of the civil war that has overwhelmed the streets of Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. Soon the family's world of carefully guarded royal privilege is swept up in the chaos of revolution and forced exodus. Over the next four years, as she endures the deaths of family members, starvation, and brutal forced labour, Raami clings to the only remaining vestige of childhood - the mythical legends and poems told to her by her father. In a climate of systematic violence where memory is sickness and justification for execution, Raami fights for her improbable survival. Displaying the author's extraordinary gift for language, In the Shadow of the Banyanis testament to the transcendent power of narrative and a brilliantly wrought tale of human resilience. 'In the Shadow of the Banyanis one of the most extraordinary and beautiful acts of storytelling I have ever encountered' Chris Cleave, author of The Other Hand 'Ratner is a fearless writer, and the novel explores important themes such as power, the relationship between love and guilt, and class. Most remarkably, it depicts the lives of characters forced to live in extreme circumstances, and investigates how that changes them. To read In the Shadow of the Banyan is to be left with a profound sense of being witness to a tragedy of history' Guardian 'This is an extraordinary debut … as beautiful as it is heartbreaking' Mail on Sunday
Chip Carson intends to marry a young Vietnamese woman named Thuy until a tragic accident lands him in prison, forever altering the outlook of their relationship. As he struggles to cope with their strained love, a mysterious stranger appears, bearing a journal about Chip's grandfather who parachuted into French Indochina at the end of World War II. As the words of the journal reveal a life that Chip never knew, he begins to understand the depth of love and sacrifice needed in order to have a second chance with Thuy. Part historical fiction, part contemporary love story, The Reach of the Banyan Tree explores the effects of war, love, culture, and family obligation in twentieth century Vietnam through the eyes of three generations of American men, who each lost their soul in the tangled reach of the banyan tree.
An epic spanning three generations, Leaves of the Banyan Tree tells the story of a family and community in Western Samoa, exploring on a grand scale such universal themes as greed, corruption, colonialism, exploitation, and revenge. Winner of the 1980 New Zealand Wattie Book of the Year Award, it is considered a classic work of Pacific literature.
Ash had always looked up to his older brother, but one day everything changed... Set between the riches of modern day India and the poverty of a council estate in England, Under the Banyan Tree is a stunningly told story of a tantalising quest for truth. It brings to life the painful and traumatic experiences of a young Kashmiri boy who moves to England, and whose world is shattered by the one person he loves the most, his brother. As you follow this journey of love, betrayal and revenge, you'll find yourself questioning your own moral compass through each twist and turn. Brave, trusting and kind, Ash has always looked up to his older brother, Daruk. The inseparable pair are raised like princes in Kashmir, Northern India, where an idyllic life encases them. But years later, now one of the most successful film directors in England, Ash can't stop the recurring nightmares from keeping him awake at night and haunting his every thought. He has never spoken of what happened all those years ago, on that fateful day which changed everything. How could the brother he had once loved so willingly have betrayed him so ultimately? Determined to unearth the truth, Ash must face the demons of his past. As he embarks on a journey of revenge, he unravels secrets which run deeper still. "Heart-breaking. Mind blowing. Breath-taking." "I felt I was on a tantalising quest for truth, which had me hooked throughout. A truly inspiring tale of life's unpredictable tragedies and gains. It will have you questioning your own morality and be humbled by others." "Stunning storytelling - I felt like I was there! Wonderfully capturing the world as seen through a young boy's eyes." "Powerful, believable and utterly beautiful, your mind will be gripped, eyes brought to tears and your heart deeply moved. This story had me fixated long after I finished it."
Irena's not sure where she's headed when she runs away from home--she just wants to leave the trailer she shared with her mamma and daddy far behind. When she stumbles upon the Banyan Tree motel, something tells her it's exactly where she's meant to be. The elderly owner, Carlotta, welcomes Irena, and the Banyan soon begins to feel like home. But trouble follows Irena wherever she goes, and the Banyan is no different: A mysterious guest, money problems, and secrets from her past soon threaten the stability of her new life. This moving story from a talented new voice revels in life's joys and pains, and uncovers just what it really means to be a family.
Poems are fragments of life. In this contemporary poetry collection for women by Simi K. Rao, there are blissful moments; cries for help; declarations of defiance and philosophical observations. These inspirational poems are fragments of life elucidating the different phases of the human condition and will have an impact on women of all ages.
“An arboreal odyssey” – NATURE “One of the most quietly beautiful books of the year” – DAILY MAIL Discover the secretive world of trees in Jonathan Drori’s number one bestseller... Bestselling author and environmentalist Jonathan Drori follows in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg as he tells the stories of 80 magnificent trees from all over the globe. In Around the World in 80 Trees, Jonathan Drori uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable. From the trees of Britain (this is a top search term), to India's sacred banyan tree, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration – not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup. Stops on the trip include the lime trees of Berlin's Unter den Linden boulevard, which intoxicate amorous Germans and hungry bees alike, the swankiest streets in nineteenth-century London, which were paved with Australian eucalyptus wood, and the redwood forests of California, where the secret to the trees' soaring heights can be found in the properties of the tiniest drops of water. Each of these strange and true tales – populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts – is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful. The book combines history, science and a wealth of quirky detail - there should be surprises for everyone. Perfect for fans of Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees, this new book will certainly whet the appetite of any tree lover to take an around-the-world trip, or simply visit your local botanic garden. The perfect travel guide for nature enthusiasts.
