They all said that Bangladesh would be an experience...
For Anne Hamilton, a three month winter programme of travel and “cultural exchange” in a country where the English language, fair hair and a rice allergy are all rare in the extreme was always going to be interesting, challenging and frustrating. What they didn’t tell Anne was that it would also be sunny, funny and the start of a love affair with this unexplored area of Southeast Asia.
A Blonde Bengali Wife shows the lives beyond the poverty, monsoons and diarrhoea of Bangladesh and charts a vibrant and fascinating place where one minute Anne is levelling a school playing field “fit for the national cricket team,” cobbling together a sparkly outfit for a formal wedding the next.
Along with Anne are the essential ingredients for survival: a travel-savvy Australian sidekick, a heaven-sent adopted family, and a short, dark, and handsome boy-next-door.
During her adventures zipping among the dusty clamour of the capital Dhaka, the longest sea beach in the world at Cox’s Bazaar, verdant Sylhet tea gardens, and the voluntary health projects of distant villages, Anne amasses a lot of friends, stories...and even a husband?
A Blonde Bengali Wife is the “unexpected travelogue” that reads like a comedy of manners to tell the other side of the story of Bangladesh.
Hi Anne - after meeting up with you and your bump at Elizabeth's a few months ago - I've been waiting to hear news of your baby and your book.
ReplyDeleteI guess the wait is over!
Love, Janice x
Good blog, Anne. Look forward to reading more - and to hearing about the new arrival!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great blurb, Anne. Can't wait to get my mitts on a copy - looks like a great read!
ReplyDeleteLx
HI Anne. Nice blog and write up. Anne was kind enough to land me a copy of the book in its original form. It is a truly enchanting and captivating read - and one I found hard to put down. I can't wait for the new publication to come out so I can revisit the beautifully described country and people. I hope all goes well with the new arrival.
ReplyDeleteTake care. Jamie
Hi Anne, I hope I can finally post a comment on our book! longing to see it in print. this, as I am sure everyone knows, started as the manuscript which launched our charity Bhola's Children. Ali and the disabled children of Bhola Island are, therefore, hugely grateful to Anne for writing ABBW
ReplyDeletelove Dinah
how did you find a husband when in the beginning of the book you said your husband was in ireland??
ReplyDeleteThe title of the book isn't literal, it just came about because people were so keen to help me get the skills a Bangladeshi woman might have!And there is a very definite question mark after the 'husband' comment in the blurb... it refers to the fact that a single woman wasn't necessarily allowed to visit certain places. By assuming any of my travel companions were my husband gave everyone a let out. Oh, so complicated! It was that kind of trip.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bangladeshi girls and womens fashion is out of this world.
ReplyDelete