Download Gifted: A Novel Audiobook

" It was ok. Lots of potential in the topic, and some interesting details here and there, but ultimately disappointing in both the problem and its resolution. Not a memorable book or one I'd especially recommend, unless you're especially interested in novels of immigrant experience. The gifted child aspect (which was what drew me to the novel) was unconvincingly portrayed, and rather diminished by the novel's focus on overbearing parenting. "

" I can see why this book was longlisted for the Man Booker prize in 2007 - its a well-known story of how Indian children are pushed by their parents into a pre-determined mould to excel at non-arts related subjects so that they can supposedly inherit the world when they come of age. The urge to rebel against this mould always simmers underneath, as we see in the mathematically gifted Rumi, daughter of Indian parents living in Cardiff in the 80s. Every Indian child will be able to relate to some if not all of the experiences Rumi undergoes - the book can be enjoyed for that reason if no other. Its well-written enough but I can't help feeling that the UK market still has lots of potential for similarly themed books from Indian writers, if not the Indian market itself. "

" Kind of a Hindu Bee Season with Indian immigrants in Wales and maths instead of spelling. It is one angry novel that just explodes at the end but the characterizations are too thin and transitions too rough to make this story truly affecting. Also, very poorly edited which is a pet peeve. "

" Rumi is an Indian girl who grows up around strict parents in the UK. She is influenced by English ways and slowly becomes more and more disobedient and daring. I think that she is like this because if she grows up with the little freedom that she is allowed, it will turn her to be a rebellious child who is desperate for freedom. Overall, I think that this is a really good book that tells the story of how a girl is influenced to do what she does because of her parent's beliefs. "

" Such a crappy book. I feel the author has directly lifted the Isabella Da Costa track from Eric Segal's Doctors and gave it a slight modification, added some romantic angle, and a weird climax. And lo, here is the book. "

" I liked the girl but her parents drove me crazy. The culture clash for 1st generation is too much I think. "

" very different - different culture, etc. and a view into the life of a gifted child - trying to be normal. "

" I loved the first part of this book about an Indian family in England and a girl who is "gifted" in math. It rang so true--including their trips to India. I don't know how I would have ended the book which is to say I was surprised and a little put off. "

" surprisingly fresh, a gifted teenage girl from india, torn between her family's expectations and her wish finding herself... liked it! "

" its a crap book, written poorly, wit no relationship built between da writer and reader, total waste of time, i ave stopped readin after 50 pajes. "

" Didn't like the end though, otherwise great "

" Interesting topic and characters, but I am feeling lack of something. Anyway, I found this book is pleasant, but that's just about it. "

" The life of a gifted child is not easy. The confusion and sometimes not very practical thinking is normal. As bright as a child is, s/he is still a child who is struggling to make sense of their world that is rather confusing. "

" I didn't feel the characters were well developed. The voice the author gave Rumi during her encounter with an older college student didn't ring true. It was an adult voice. Not the voice of an inexperienced child. The book was interesting in some ways, but not enough for me to recommend it. "

" could have done without the epilogue, but otherwise i truly loved it. "

" Culture clash in an Indian family when a father wants his 15-year-old daughter to enter Oxford. "

" Sweet, disturbing. Lots of hopes, dreams, alienation. Post-colonial-y, but not bad. The main character is very interesting and I found myself pretty involved in her development. Language is also great (British, Indian). "

" Striking writing, despite a tendency to over describe. Good individual storylines, but focusing on one might have been preferrable to juggling all of them. "

" Surprise ending to me--this book explores the push and pull of a gifted math student and her parents who want her to succeed. Everybody got a little out of control! "

" A story about controlling parents and the damage that they do. "