Book Tour - Shiva's Arms by Cheryl Snell - Book Review

What I Can Tell You: This is not one of those books you pick up and read it on the fly. You really have to dedicate time to sit and absorb it. As a mom of two young kids, I have to be able to read in little windows. I felt that this took away from the very deep story of a woman and the family she marries into. I really have to give credit to the author, this is a very, smart novel that showcases the differences in traditions and culture. There were many times I was just angry! Especially when Ram allows his mother to remove his and Alice's son as an infant from the home. As hard as Alice tries she is not accepted by Amma.

It is toward the end of the book where I got my greatest lesson. Regardless of the cross-cultural family, these woman share moments that are universal and pure. As different as we are, we are all the same in our hearts. We all want the same things, we all feel the same things. It's all relative to your belief system, life experiences, heritage and culture. 

While I loved reading about the Hindu Gods and the role they play in the lives of the people who worship them I kept asking myself, should tradition and heritage take a front seat to kindness and manners? I guess this is were I struggle the most as a live let live, woman. I cannot imagine staying married in a family were I felt that I had no voice. 

Very thought provoking book.