Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
8th out of 29 books
—
22 voters
Tiger Hills
As the first girl to be born into the Nachimanda family in over thirty-five years, the beautiful Devi is the object of adoration of her entire family. Spirited and strong-willed, she befriends the shy Devanna, a young boy whose mother has died in tragic circumstances. Together they grow up amidst the luscious jungles, rolling hills, and coffee plantations of Coorg in South
...morePaperback, 593 pages
Published
January 28th 2011
by Orion Publishing Group
(first published January 1st 2010)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
1,614)
Set in Coorg in Southern India at the turn of the nineteenth century this is a beautifully written and intricate multi-generational story full of rich cultural details, lush settings and a wide swath of characters. Reminded me of Cutting for Stone in its lyrical sense of place and character (which tended to be too much at times in this book), and of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind – the heroine is spoilt and strong willed, not necessarily likable, and she makes choices that affect and have...more
Questo libro mi è stato regalato qualche tempo fa, da due care amiche. Il romanzo in sé è piacevole, ma è stato reso speciale dalla dedica: poche righe per scaldare il cuore con sincera amicizia.
La trama è abbastanza classica. Ambientato in India, a cavallo del 1900, protagonisti la fanciulla più bella e speciale dell’intera regione, l’eroe cacciatore, ovviamente bello come il sole e innamorato contraccambiato dalla ragazza, il povero terzo incomodo, la vecchia e saggia nonna della ragazza, e tu...more
La trama è abbastanza classica. Ambientato in India, a cavallo del 1900, protagonisti la fanciulla più bella e speciale dell’intera regione, l’eroe cacciatore, ovviamente bello come il sole e innamorato contraccambiato dalla ragazza, il povero terzo incomodo, la vecchia e saggia nonna della ragazza, e tu...more
Devi and Devanna grew up in Coorg, India together as children and were best friends. Devi, beautiful and willful, was the apple of her family's eye and could do no wrong. Devanna, captures the attention of the principal of a missionary school with his brilliant mind and hunger to learn, and recommends him to a medical college. Machu, an older cousin to Devanna, has a keen eye and during a hunt, kills a tiger and is celebrated at the village's tiger wedding festival. Devi catches sight of Machu a...more
This historical novel is an Indian "Gone with the Wind." Set between 1878 and 1936, it is a multi-generational saga about a love triangle.
This love triangle, involving Devi, Devanna and Machu, serves as a catalyst for a long sequence of tragedies. Devi, the female lead who connects all the main characters, makes choices with far-reaching consequences for the men who love her. Devanna is her childhood sweetheart until Devi meets Machu, the tiger killer.
Devi, spoilt, self-centred and stubborn, i...more
This love triangle, involving Devi, Devanna and Machu, serves as a catalyst for a long sequence of tragedies. Devi, the female lead who connects all the main characters, makes choices with far-reaching consequences for the men who love her. Devanna is her childhood sweetheart until Devi meets Machu, the tiger killer.
Devi, spoilt, self-centred and stubborn, i...more
At a little under 600 pages this is quite a big book. The story however is a huge, sweeping, page turner of a saga. Beginning in 1878 with the birth of Devi, the narrative follows the fortunes of her, and childhood playmate Devanna and their families through to the second world war. Charting how one tiny decision or act can change the direction of a life completely. Also how so often people's choices were (and maybe still are) limited due to family pride, tradition and social convention. I can't...more
I read Sarita Mandanna's Tiger Hills sometime back. Had been wanting to write a review but could not. I have forgotten most of the details but based on the impressions the book left on me, here are a few notes:
The tiger hills novel tells a triangular love story set in the lushly wooded and beautiful Coorg Hills of the western ghats. The story starts in the late 19th century when the country was still under British rule and it progresses through the times of much turmoil as the World Wars and the...more
The tiger hills novel tells a triangular love story set in the lushly wooded and beautiful Coorg Hills of the western ghats. The story starts in the late 19th century when the country was still under British rule and it progresses through the times of much turmoil as the World Wars and the...more
Tiger Hills is an epic novel that spans most of Devi's lifetime. Devi, Devanna, and Machu are all layered, multi-dimensional characters. They are flawed but heartbreakingly sympathetic, each in their own way. Ms. Mandanna even spends quite a bit of time building out the secondary characters like Nanju and Appu as well. Even if I didn't agree with an action one of the characters took, I knew exactly why they would do such a thing because the author paid so much attention to each character's devel...more
Patience- that's what Devi, the central character of the book learns the hard way in this book and that's exactly what Sarita Mandanna, the author teaches the readers and in exactly the similar fashion. Set in the early 1900's in the picturesque Coorg in the backdrop of the World Wars with socio-political elements of the early twentieth-century India- you'd almost think the book has all the elements of a compelling read but alas! The pace nearly kills you for the first 100 or so pages but gets b...more
I picked up this book for a lark(like I pick up most books these days). Some of the books I pick up like this end up very disappointing. This one on the other hand, was anything but disappointing.
It was riveting. The story of Devi, a girl born in Coorg in late 1800s. Devi is a wilful child with her mind of her own, unlike other girls at that time. She decides at the age of 10 that she would marry the Tiger Killer, Machu, her best friend Devanna’s cousin. Devanna, on the other hand grows up, desp...more
It was riveting. The story of Devi, a girl born in Coorg in late 1800s. Devi is a wilful child with her mind of her own, unlike other girls at that time. She decides at the age of 10 that she would marry the Tiger Killer, Machu, her best friend Devanna’s cousin. Devanna, on the other hand grows up, desp...more
Wonderfully written but just so depressing to read. If you like a book where everything is awful, and there really isn't a happy ending, then get involved. The main character (Devi) is really not very likeable (why are strong women always written in such a way that they are immediately dislikable? We can be both strong and nice, I'm sure of it) and the themes of lost love and life changing consequences are, in my opinion over egged. It did, however, give an interesting look at colonialism and In...more
I picked this book up for lack of anything else that caught my interest in the library. And I was disappointed. The story was slow, and painful. The author is the type to use big words without really needing to. The enhanced vocabulary did nothing for the story, in fact, I found it hard to believe at times, particularly when referring to characters who were not highly educated. This story centered around doomed love, and how wallowing in it can ruin ones life. And it was boring. I finished the b...more
1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The late 19th century/early 20th century story centers on Devi (a girl) and Devanna (a boy), who grow up together among the closely knit families in the Coorg region of far south India. All the elements of family saga are present: romance (both bitter and sweet), reputations to be upheld, sacrifices, and betrayals. There are also missionaries, the British raj, religion, and challenges to cultural norms. And, because of choices made, actions taken, secrets not divulged, there is no small amount o...more
For her first novel, Mandanna's writing is absolutely outstanding. The book is actually 591 pages long, yet it felt like so much less.
This was such a beautiful story. I came to care about the two protagonists more than I thought I would. As I got to the last few pages I was devastated that I would have to say goodbye to them.
The story gave me a clearer understanding of the people who lived in India 100 years ago. They were extremely hard-working and hugely loving, and they had such a great sense...more
This was such a beautiful story. I came to care about the two protagonists more than I thought I would. As I got to the last few pages I was devastated that I would have to say goodbye to them.
The story gave me a clearer understanding of the people who lived in India 100 years ago. They were extremely hard-working and hugely loving, and they had such a great sense...more
This historical fiction of the people and places near Coorg, India covers the years from 1878 through 1936, chronicling the lives of Devanna of the Pallada family, and Devi of the Nachimandas. These childhood friends grow up and marry. That is the most I can say without spoiling this epic narrative of tribal life during British colonization.
Lush descriptions of the landscape and flora of the area abound and I can see the rich overgrowth of the jungles, smell the vibrant flowers and the sea. It...more
Lush descriptions of the landscape and flora of the area abound and I can see the rich overgrowth of the jungles, smell the vibrant flowers and the sea. It...more
This is a beautifully written book that very much made me want to visit the Coorg region of India. The highlight of the book is the lush description of the natural beauty of the region, which the author paints with a sense of awe. The first third of the book is pretty but slow, detailing the charmed childhood of the heroine. The second third is gripping, as the storyline takes a shocking turn and the protagonist is turned into a tragic figure. Though a bit melodramatic at times, the book is very...more
If you enjoy historical, family sagas, then this book needs to be on your TBR list. It is a sweeping tale of love, hate, redemption and most importantly, forgiveness.
There is such beauty to this book. From the opening, with its lush descriptions of herons, to the very last page, it envelops you in an exotic landscape full of wonder. And that’s without even including the characters. But with this book, the land itself is another character, and a protagonist at that.
Devi, Devanna and Machu, the th...more
There is such beauty to this book. From the opening, with its lush descriptions of herons, to the very last page, it envelops you in an exotic landscape full of wonder. And that’s without even including the characters. But with this book, the land itself is another character, and a protagonist at that.
Devi, Devanna and Machu, the th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Tiger Hills is in Coorg India, a place that becomes almost real as one rushes through the 464 story pages of the book. It details the story of an all consuming protagonist(Devi) who loves an older man (Manchu) and the complications this gives to her life and the life of those in her family and around her. It shows how unfair a person can be to those who love one most and how a consuming love may not bring rewards.
I liked the book for the description of the mores of natives and British, celebrati...more
I liked the book for the description of the mores of natives and British, celebrati...more
Devi is a beautiful, strong-willed young girl, growing up in Coorg, a rural, mountainous area of South India, in the late 1800s. She's in love with Machu, a warrior famous for having killed a tiger single-handedly. Devanna, Machu's younger cousin, is a quiet, intelligent boy, studying to be a doctor, who's in love with Devi. As you might expect, things don't turn out well.
This novel has some beautiful descriptions of scenery (apparently Coorg- spelled Kodagu today- is known as 'the Scotland of I...more
This novel has some beautiful descriptions of scenery (apparently Coorg- spelled Kodagu today- is known as 'the Scotland of I...more
I liked the title of the book and that made me curious to read what 'Tiger Hills' is about..This is Sarita's first book and I must say her writing style is really nice..description of coorg,the coffee plantations etc is amazing..However I thought the plot of the story and the characters could have been much more defined.Devi,the main character-I didnt like many of her traits..and that put me off,there were many instances where I felt like shaking her up and telling her to get over Machu..However...more
This first-novel is an intriguing story of families and generations caught up in the backwash of love gone to betrayal. Is redemption even possible? I am mesmerized by Indian culture – mysterious, mystical, yet somehow familiar, too. Mandanna’s India is not disappointing. For Devi, Devanna and all the others, life may be difficult, surprising, and disappointing, but it is somehow reassuring as well. This is a tale of love born at the crossroads of Indian culture and Western influences. These cha...more
Tiger Hills is an epic love story set in Coorg, India beginning in 1878 and spanning the next 60 years.
Navi is the first born girl in the Nachimandas family in over six generations and she is a delight to all her know her. She is charming, beautiful, courageous and very determined. At ten years old she meets Machu, the Tiger Killer and decides she will marry no one other than he. Navi's best friend and confidante, Devanna, doesn't understand Navi's fascination with his cousin, Machu. He is deter...more
Navi is the first born girl in the Nachimandas family in over six generations and she is a delight to all her know her. She is charming, beautiful, courageous and very determined. At ten years old she meets Machu, the Tiger Killer and decides she will marry no one other than he. Navi's best friend and confidante, Devanna, doesn't understand Navi's fascination with his cousin, Machu. He is deter...more
I am reading tiger hills. At the moment we are seeing the blossoming of childhood friendships between Devi and Devanna. It is set in India in the 1800's and a tragic episode pushes the two children closer together..
I have just finished Tiger Hills. This book has really made me sob. It has totally absorbed me and I did not put it down yesterday. It is a book of love and loss, about what it is like to love and to lose, then to live with that loss. This book is about people and their imperfections....more
I have just finished Tiger Hills. This book has really made me sob. It has totally absorbed me and I did not put it down yesterday. It is a book of love and loss, about what it is like to love and to lose, then to live with that loss. This book is about people and their imperfections....more
This story, spanning two generations of two prominent Indian families, is set in a beautiful and simpler India of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The characters are complex and three-dimensional, and the reader is given access to the intricate weavings of the tragedy of their stories in an easy-flowing and beautifully descriptive manner.
I woke many mornings with thoughts of sweet, permissive Devanna and his son Nanju, and felt a deeply emotional connection to the pure tragedy that was De...more
I woke many mornings with thoughts of sweet, permissive Devanna and his son Nanju, and felt a deeply emotional connection to the pure tragedy that was De...more
Jun 21, 2011
Bookfan
added it
I haven't read the book, and now don't intend to either. I was planning to read it but was quite disgusted to learn, from various articles in the Indian media, of the oft repeated instances where Ms. Mandanna has been "inspired" from other published works. Apparently Ms. Mandanna has amply used descriptions from Reverend G Richter’s Gazetteer of Coorg: Natural Features of the Country and the Social and Political Condition of Its Inhabitants. Also, there are reportedly several other similarities...more
Good first novel with a beautiful, lyrical description of the land and everything mystical about it. But in between this tale of loss, love and lust spanning 3 generations, things get a bit, well, trite and mundane. At times, you feel like hitting the protagonists in frustration. How can anyone be so thickheaded?
Despite losing the audience for a good 1/4th of the book, Sarita manages to neatly tie up this epic saga, even if by means of a rather predictable end. I personally would have liked to s...more
Despite losing the audience for a good 1/4th of the book, Sarita manages to neatly tie up this epic saga, even if by means of a rather predictable end. I personally would have liked to s...more
I absolutely loved this book and was totally absorbed into the story from start to finish. An amazing epic tale of love and family life steeped in the beauty, culture and customs of Coorg in Southern India. Devi was always a child born to have a special destiny due to the herons marking her birth and her childhood friendship with Devanna shapes her life forever. The novel spans over 60 years of life and I loved the characters who were all affected in some way from the outside world and the story...more
The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. Set in Coorg, India the descriptions of the plantations, flora, fauna and local culture were amazing. Set over a seventy year span beginning in 1878, the book highlights an interesting time in the Indian history.
The character development was also excellent. While I did not particularly like any of the characters, I wanted to know what happened to them and their story. I never fully connected with two of the main characters Devi and Devanna. Deva...more
The character development was also excellent. While I did not particularly like any of the characters, I wanted to know what happened to them and their story. I never fully connected with two of the main characters Devi and Devanna. Deva...more
Hard going.
I started this book with high hopes, as I love books set in India. The confusing start should probably have been a warning, but it was a book group read so I persevered.
I find that I agree with one of our members, who suggested that there was too much going on for a single book and that it should have been a set of three books, to allow for more detail about the customs and culture.
There are three separate sections, dealing with the three main characters in Devi's life as she grows an...more
I started this book with high hopes, as I love books set in India. The confusing start should probably have been a warning, but it was a book group read so I persevered.
I find that I agree with one of our members, who suggested that there was too much going on for a single book and that it should have been a set of three books, to allow for more detail about the customs and culture.
There are three separate sections, dealing with the three main characters in Devi's life as she grows an...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Amazon Kindle ...: Tiger Hills | 3 | 14 | Apr 27, 2012 08:02am | |
| Goodreads Librari...: 9780753827796 | 2 | 26 | Feb 27, 2012 09:47am |
Sarita Mandanna belongs to the stunning landscapes of Coorg. Her family history extends for centuries through these hills, famous for their coffee plantations and often described as the 'Scotland of India'. Tiger Hills is her first novel.
More about Sarita Mandanna...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Feb 18, 2013 03:35am