KAYE TROUT'S BOOK REVIEWS 1

I specialize in reviewing Print-On-Demand (POD) published books for my website and Midwest Book Review. Please query for a review by email to hgunther234@hotmail.com.

Monday, July 13, 2009

THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE: INVISIBLE CHILDREN OF INDIA by Shelley Seale

Dog’s Eye View Media
www.DogsEyeViewMedia.com
Genre: Sociological Travel Memoir
Rating: Very Good
ISBN: 9780980232370, $16.00, 313 pp.

The Weight of Silence is a sociological travel memoir about the beauty, richness, and terrible poverty in India and, in particular, about the children. Quoting from the introduction:

“In my journeys over the last years into the orphanages, slums, clinics and streets of India I have become immersed in the world of these children. Their hope and resilience amazed me time and time again; the ability of their spirits to overcome crippling challenges inspired me. Even in the most deprived circumstances they are still kids - they laugh and play, perhaps far less frequently than others; they develop strong bonds and relationships to create family where none exists; and most of all they have an enormous amount of love to give....

“I want to be clear that although this book deals with struggles and failures, this is far from the only side of India. The country is an astonishing place full of history, grand architecture, magnificent natural beauty and some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Because this book focuses on those excluded from the riches of their nation, the topics and issues written about often show a darker side of India. Yet during my journeys and research the other, beautiful India constantly showed itself, even in the most difficult places. It is an extraordinarily wonderful place and I encourage anyone who has a chance to visit....”

Shelley Seale is an accomplished freelance writer, specializing in travel–multiple publications. The Weight of Silence: Invisible Children of India is beautifully written, well edited, extremely poignant, and educational. If you were touched by the movie Slumdog Millionaire and want to know more about India, its children and their problems, read this book.

Kaye Trout - July 13, 2009