Haveli

It is the continuation of the story of Shabanu but could be read alone.

Very emotional as Shabanu makes some difficult decisions. The story has easy linkage from the tribal desert to the decisions made every day by mothers and families everywhere in difficult circumstances.

I Agree

I agree with the previous reviewer. Sure, things are different there NOW, but this was not meant to be NOW. I hadn't thought it was taking place in modern times until I read some of the reviews. I assumed it was at least like fifty years ago or maybe more. Anyway, I thought it was a wonderful story and recommend it to almost anyone.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Correction

For the 2 previous reviewers: Its not only my opinion but also the other EDUCATED people and Muslims who believe in what I believe in. I don't know about anyone else, but i don't just believe in things without having solid proof. I have been to Pakistan about 3 times in the past 12 years. I have visited deserts and modern places. It isn't/wasn't so illiterate up there. I have studied religions and I know them very well. I should know my religion 'Islam' the most. From that, i say that Ms. staples has shown some contents that would make the so called 'westernized world' think as though islam is an illiterate religion. i believe that islam is a faith. not a religion. It's the most organized and the most peaceful religion. In islam, every angle and way of life is taught from islamic point of view. People probably thought that the men today like rahim shah marry 4 times. which is not true. because in today's world there is no need for a man to marry 4 times. And today's women aren't that peaceful, to be able to accept another women living with their husband. 4 Marriages were allowed back then only to help the helpless women.

Not Staples's Misinterpretation, but YOURS

I understand that you say that Suzanne Fisher Staples has misinterpreted the surroundings in Pakistan? You say that now women are more free? Well, you are correct. Nowadays women ARE more free, but this book wasn't written in this, our current, time period. It takes place some time ago. Also, this book was written over 10 years ago. Did she have that much technology to go searching for information back then? No. It was all library and books back then -- not convenient, don't you think? Why don't you try putting yourself in that person's shoes before you go of critisizing others now would you? How SHALLOW.

Don't always believe in things u read without having evidence

I have read Shabanu and I did not like the way Ms. Fisher staples described the life in Pakistan even though it does happen in some places like deserts. In Islam, a woman has a right to choose or decide whether she will marry a person chosen by her family. Fisher staples has not only descibed my culture in a bad way but she has also described Islam in a wrong way (like a strict religion). I totally agree with Tien Nguyen and the reviewer fron Vassar College. I STRONGLY agree with sammy2052000. So the next time u see a muslim taking time out of his/her day and praying 5 times a day or a woman wearing a hijab on a hot sunny day, don't feel bad for them or have any mercy on them because they are doing what they have to and following their religion. Islam gives everyone his/her rights including woman. anyways this book was an ok story.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Distorted Story

A young woman Shabanu becomes the fourth wife of a prestigious landowner in Pakistan, a man old enough to be her grandfather. In the next five years, she has a daughter Mumtaz, whom she is forced to raise in a household of jealous wives. The story may already seem depressing, but Shabanu is quite content with her married life. Aside from the fact that she is the youngest wife and must deal with the other wives¿ gossip, her story is not exactly a Cinderella story. The author, Suzanne Fisher Staples has not researched well on Pakistani traditions to write this novel. From reading this novel, one would get the idea that male domination is popular in families, arranged marriages are necessary, and that Muslim women have no rights. Staples only shows one part of Pakistan, the villages where most people are illiterate and live as nomads in the desert. In this area, only families of landowners are wealthy, but only a few women in these families are actually literate. The novel portrays a misinterpretation of the role of women in Pakistani traditions, as well as in Islam. In reality, not all of Pakistan is imprisoned in old traditions. Women do have a voice in the nation and a significant number are well-educated. Arranged marriages are common in this culture, but it¿s hardly something forceful. Westerners have a negative view on arranged marriages, that it is something that must be abolished in the world. Women in Pakistan have the choice to agree or disagree to marry the husband chosen by their families. Pakistanis do not make a big deal about the issue because it really is not a problem for them. In the novel, the women of the Haveli are unintelligent, shallow, and argumentative about trivial things. The jealousy and bitterness of the wives ruin the image of the real culture. Unlike the novel, few men in Pakistan still follow the tradition of marrying more than one wife. Since it is almost impossible to treat each wife equally, most men marry only one woman. Although prejudiced truths are present in the story, Haveli is a book difficult to put down. For Americans, it is interesting to read about the exotic culture of the other side of the world. But it is unsettling for Pakistani-Americans and Muslim-Americans to read something that is no longer true in the present day. The author has made a major mistake in not clarifying that the cultural and religious ideas in the novel are different from what they are today.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Unbelievable

It tells the second part to the first book, but the ending was so... horrid. Usually I'm escatic -sp- to read sequels and the like, and I wanted to know what happens, but the ending just leaves you hanging a little bit. I look at it as a romeo and juliet ending, except twisted. If you want to read it, fine, but I don't recommend it. I'd rather wonder than know now.

Awsome book

I loved this book very much ! I wonder if Shabanu will get Omar...? Really, there should be a sequel !

This book is amazing!

I loved this book soo much that i read it every year. If you havent read Shabanu the 1st book then its advised you read it b/c this is the seaqul. I only wish Suzanne Fisher Staples could write a third book and make that a winner too. If u havent read this it is very reconmended.

I want to know what happens!!!!!

I really enjoyed reading these two books. I just want to know what Shabanu's life is going to end up as. There's so many questions that could be answered if there were a third book.

This book is great, I want another!

I really enjoyed this book and Shabanu. I still want to know if she ends up with Omar. I have read other books by this author and I enjoy those too. I REALY WANT ANOTHER SEQUEL TO THIS BOOK! !

Strong cultural understandings

I absolutely love this book!!! Although I feel so sad at the end, but it doesn't mean the book is not good though! I absolutely fall in love with Shabanu, Omar, little Mumtaz, Selma, and auntie Sharma! By reading this book, I really appreciate the cultures and understand the harships the the Pakistan people have to go through everyday! They are so strong, I really admire that. Suzanne Fisher Staples' style is really something. I really hope there's going to be a continuation!

Love your books

I fell in love with both books. Shabanu was the first book I finished in 2 days. I hope there will be a continue to this story.

An enriching, exciting, and honest adventure!

I first read Shabanu in the 5th grade, then Haveli followed by Shiva's Fire as soon as I could get my hands on them. That was almost a decade ago. Although I have now left the young-adult section of the library and have invested in classical literature, I'm still anxious to find out what will happen next with Shabanu! I know these stories will be interesting to any young girl, bookish, or not. They combine life changes, adventure, suspense, colorful descriptions, emotion, romance, and insight into an elusive culture. Everything to keep a young girl interested and excited about reading. The only complaint possible is that the sequel to Haveli has been so long in coming. I'm an adult now and I still want to know if Omar will ever find Shabanu. The suspense lasts through decades!

Awesome!

I read Shabanu because i needed a book to read in school, so i just picked one. Now i'm glad i picked that and i just finished Haveli. I loved it. It was so susspensful. I really want a third book to come out. I am dying to find out what happens next whith Shabanu's life.

WHAT U THINK IS THE TRUTH IS SOMETIMES FALSE

from my religious perspective i truly disagreed with the comment that Suzane made when she claims that islamic rules are based on ancient times. i think she should keep that comment to herself. a true muslim follows his/her religion regardless of these new insights of the so-called ' modernized life' . u see, unlike christianity, we do not have new testament for our one and only HOLY QUR'AN. one has the right to follow or disregard this religion - with that comes a torment in the afterlife. so when u see a muslim following their faith don't have sympathy for them, instead respect them. peace

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Tear- jerker

I loved this book and Shabanu and they both made me feel for the characters. I cried at the end of Haveli and cherished Auntie Sharma, Shabanu, and Mumtaz. I hope another book comes out sealing the fate of dear Shabanu, Omar, and Mumtaz.

Sequel

I loved this book and hope that another sequel to it will come out...it makes u want to keep turning the pages and find out what will happen next. It was a great book and a favorite, just like it's first half...shahbanu.

~BREATHTAKING~

THE BOOK SHABANU IS ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES. I WAS REALLY INTERESTED AND CAPTAVATED BY THIS BOOK SINCE I MYSELF AM A MUSLIM GIRL. I BELIEVE SOME OF THE STUFF SUZANNE WROTE ABOUT MUSLIM LIFE WAS UNTRUE. EVEN THOUGH SHE HAS BEEN TO PAKISTAN AND HAS LIVED IN A VILLIAGE WITH A MUSLIM FAMILY, WE MUSLIMS AREN'T AS ECCENTRIC AS SHE SAYS WE ARE. I AM NOT GIVING THIS BOOK BAD RATINGS BECAUSE I REALLY ENJOYED THE THEME OF THIS NOVEL. I HAVEN'T READ HAVELI YET BUT AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. MRS. FISHER I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE A RESPONSE FROM YOU. THANKS

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

~Awesome~

This book is sooo good. I read Shabanu in my English class and really got into it. Haveli is even better. You should really read it. I think it would be cool if there was a sequel to Haveli to