Haveli

Could it be any better than the sands touching my feet filing me in with the heat, as I hold my daughter near me. My mind, soul, and very living she is, as bells jingle aside her. My nomad bell anklet beaming with the sun. Holding my face towards the sun, my thick hair opened with curls below my hip, running arise the wind. I can cry no more, I can live no more, how will I try to live on with such a memory withering in my head. So sweet and compelling but a realization of shock sends me back into reality.

I finished reading Haveli for the second time about five minutes ago, and having read it last over a year ago, I didn't really remember much of it. But immmediately I was immersed in the story of Shabanu and her daughter. Shabanu's world is falling apart, tormented by her husband's elder wives while trying to protect her daughter from the same fate, she convinces him to let her go elsewhere. But between the complications of two marriages coming up, one of which she must try to escape from, and her falling into a doomed love, Shabanu must be strong for her daughter. I cried at the end, though I hadn't remembering crying the first time. Definately a must-read for any lovers of the prequel, and for those who haven't read Shabanu, read it.

Shabanu, Staple's first novel, was simply enchanting and fascinating. The sequel, Haveli, was certainly no disapointment. Readers may rejoice at Ms. Staples' excellent storylines and tale: it is well-balanced and brings us back to the small, hard world of Shabanu. In this book, 18 year old Shabanu is married to a man almost twice her age and has a small daughter whom she devotes her life to. Shabanu must deal with the every day challenges of her harsh life in Pakistan without the family that she has always relied on. The other, older wives of her husband are cruel to her and her daughter, jealous of the young girl whom their husband loves so dearly. Shabanu fears that they might try to harm her and her daughter, and therefore is relieved when they are offered the opportunity to go into the city dwelling of Haveli. There Shabanu finds both peace and a forbidden love. While she battles with her concious, she makes plans for her daughter's education and upbringing. A truly magical tale of real life and of a culture that no one understands. This book is different from all others. It brings us into a culture we don't understand and, especially in times like these, helps us accept and realize how much like us they really are. I reccomend this book to children ages 10 and up, and adults everywhere who have a love of good books. One of the best books I have read. As an 8th grader, I read a lot and this book deserves the highest praise. This book will make you rethink your philosophies, and wring your heart. I beg you to read this book! Happy reading! -Lia

I just wanted to let anyone know that if you are thinking of reading Haveli you should! It is a great sequel to Shabanu Daughter of the wind.

Many Sequels fail to exceed the stories they follow.....This is an exception. When I first Read "Shabanu Daughter of The Wind" I was without words because the book was so amazing. I even thought Haveli would not be as good as the first book, but I was wrong. It is very rare to find a book where you are always feeling the characters struggles, pain and spirit.(To the point where you may cry or laugh out loud!) Shabanu is a very strong willed girl and when you read this story you will know what I mean. When I put myself in her place I kept thinking how hard it would be for me to do the things she was doing. The things she goes through, the many choices she must make, and the sacrafices are breathtaking. Although "Haveli" fails to pick up where Shabanu left off you are not lost on what has happened because you are given a lot of the background that you missed between the 2 books. The closing line will always stay with me for it shows yet again how she must sacrafice to survive under the circumstances of the world she must live in. I really do wish there were more books to follow these powerful stories....maybe there will be someday. But all we can do is cherish these two books, and hope for coming sequels!

This book was amazingly descriptive and heartfelt. Shabanu's culture was clearly explained and made the book very real. Her knowledge of herself and of others makes Shabanu a great role model to people even in the 21st century, and I think that everyone should read this book. But she is not perfect, and her humane qualities are made clear through her respect for her older husband and her love for a younger man. She nontheless stays true to those she loves, especially her daughter. Through her troubles and adventures as the youngest wife of Rahim and enemy of the other wives, she does what she thinks is right.