Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Literature of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Greetings LIFEers,


We were joined this week by local author (local, by way of India) Chitra Divakaruni, who read passages from and discussed her latest book One Amazing Thing. Chitra was inspired to write One Amazing Thing after reflecting upon her experiences evacuating from hurricane Rita. While stuck on I-10, she observed how catastrophes can bring out the best and worst in some people. Why do some people loose it and others have grace under pressure? Chitra decided to explore this question in her book. She created 9 characters who were trapped in the basement of a visa office after an earthquake hit. Water was rising. They had minimal supplies. What would they do?


While writing, Chitra said she kept two challenges in mind. First, make sure the readers don't feel "trapped" in the story the way the characters are. Second, since the story is about a forced community, each character needed a point-of-view so the story wouldn't get confusing. While Chitra wouldn't reveal the ending, several LIFEers and Cy-Fair librarians praised the book and her other writings, some of which have been made into films. Please check out Chitra's web page and her publisher's site below, and visit the library to check out your copy of One Amazing Thing.

Chitra's Website - http://www.chitradivakaruni.com/
Gulfcoast Reads - http://www.gulfcoastreads.org/
One Amazing Thing @ Cy-Fair Library - htttp://librarycatalog.lonestar.edu.lscsproxy.lonestar.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=13G620K0L8023.73459&profile=nhmc&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100042~!1350063~!0&ri=6&aspect=subtab80&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=one+amazing+thing&index=.TW&uindex=&aspect=subtab80&menu=search&ri=6&limitbox_3=LO01+=+cyf#focus




























































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