As It Was Written

by Sujatha Hampton

The epic journey of an Indian-American family which unfolds when men and women, Hindus and Catholics, histories and curses, collide In McLean, Virginia, Dr. Raman Nair lives a life of abounding satisfaction with his tiny wife, Jaya, and his harem of enormous and beautiful daughters. He has been away from his native Kerala, India for so long that he has happily forgotten the ancient Brahmin curse that follows his family like a black cloud, killing one girl for love in every generation. But his wife hasn’t forgotten, nor has his baby sister, Gita. Suddenly his daughters are up to no good and Dr. Raman Nair doesn’t know which way to turn. As It Was Written marks the arrival of a wonderful new voice in fiction, and a storyteller of the highest order.

Genres: Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sujatha Hampton left a 15 year career as an educator to write As It Was Written, which is her first book. The story is its own bio, except with so many lies and fabrications that it crossed the line and became fiction. She may or may not tell you which parts are true and which parts are false. Except that it is is all false, or maybe it isn't..."

Reviews

[Sujatha Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book. Meaning, I wrote it. So I gave it five stars because, if you ask me...that's what I'm going to say. Anyway, it doesn't release until February,2010, so there are only a select few out there who have read it, and who knows what they would say. Maybe I should ask them to give me the stars they think I deserve...for a more balanced answer.

I suppose the truth will be told shortly. But until then, we will hold with 5 stars. Who knows how long my rating can stay so undiluted; better enjoy it while I can.

What I can tell you about this book is that it is a love story, lots of love stories, between men and women, between parents and children, between wives and husbands, between families, between sisters. And it is a family saga about a Malayalee family in the United States, and the burden in their lives of a hundred year old Brahmin curse.

I got that curse idea from my mother, whose family (my family) was blessed, rather than cursed, by a brahmin, whose bag of gold coins my female ancestor returned when he left it on the temple steps. He blessed her and all the women in her family with easy childbirth. This blessing has come true to a woman, to a birth. All of us have easy childbirth. I felt confident assuring my 7 year old daughter that she too is within this blessing's embrace.

But blessings are not nearly as poetic as curses. So when it came time to write, I switched it to a curse, and made the brahmin a terror. One friend said, "Parameshwaran Namboodiri" is one of the great villains of literature. This was by far the best compliment I ever received.

So this is the story of the five fat daughters of Dr. Raman Nair and this ancient brahmin curse. I do hope you enjoy it, and if you do, come on here and tell me why.

Peace,

Sujatha

[Nisha Joisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hunting down books written on Indian-American issues when I came across this book and got really excited for a hot minute because it had some much needed Malayalee representation (rare!). But this adaptation definitely missed the mark for a number of reasons:

My biggest issue with this book was the fact that the author played right into certain stereotypes about Hinduism and casteism. It was almost like I was reading a book that a white person wrote about what they thought indian culture was (major red flag!). Like an ancient ‘brahmin’ curse and snake charming? Okay...

After reading this book, I came to the conclusion that the only reason Hampton wrote this book was to contribute to the idea that Hindu culture is just empty ritualism, idol worship, and riddled with black magic and curses. I’m deeply offended and hurt that out of all the topics she could’ve chosen to focus on in our community (or even to address problems in a progressive way!) she chose this. Would not recommend.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was very first-novel-esque. There were some very lovely moments, and also some sappy moments. In the acknowledgments, Hampton writes that the original was 800+ pages, but a firmer editorial could still have been useful, as I found myself skipping paragraphs towards the end. For similar subject matter with a more masterful treatment, I prefer Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni...but every novelist starts somewhere.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed to read this amazing novel as it was written. No really, I read it as it was being written because Sujatha is a generous and talented friend and allowed me to share her birthing of this beautiful book. Everyone should read it because they will love it. Really. It comes out on February 16th and I can't wait!

[Martina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is none of my favourites. I felt there were several different stories that did not connect.

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the book felt disjointed, with simultaneous stories. I never got to "know" the characters, which I felt was a significant flaw.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why am I not hearing more about this wonderful book ? I read this book in two days. Wishing all the while that the pages would grow in number as I read. Did not want to come to the end of Ms Hampton's delightful novel.
The story of Dr Raman Nair and his five large size daughters, is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I laughed, I cried......I wanted to be with this family forever.
LOVED IT !
Get a copy in your hands and enjoy this beautiful piece of literature.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family is family, regardless of culture, background, beliefs. A wonderfully tight-knit and resilient quintet of sisters (beautiful, voluptuous and fat), their aunt, ancillary (and then key) players meet the challenges of life, and especially the challenges of love. This is a love story about love that is engaging, intriguing, beautifully written with some big questions that do, or do not, need to (or get) resolved.

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author is a Sterling, Virignia, resident and mother...met her at Gold's Gym a few years ago. This book is getting huge attention and just came out in hardback. Buy it at Barnes & Noble or on Amazon. I borrowed a copy from Leslie G, who said it is a page turner. Maybe we can invite the author to Book Club???!!!!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! I love the characters. I want to belong to that family. I want to eat with them, prepare marzipan vegetables with them, celebrate my birthday with them and experience the love they have for one another. It is so beautifully written, the words just draw you in and make you feel like you are right there with the characters.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at an event I attended and she was quite funny. When she handed out her book to everyone I have to say I was skeptical. And I'm glad she did! The story seemed to be a bit all over the place, but I like being kept on my toes. And she really made you connect with all the characters - with everything they were going through and there was a lot!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written, moving book. It took me a few chapters to get into it because there are many characters, but I'm very glad I stuck with it. Hampton has a knack for writing gorgeous love stories, shown through touching scenes between the lovers. I don't know if anyone gets to experience the intensity of love she describes, but it was nice to lose myself in it.

[Andrea]

new author

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine wrote this book so I thought I would give it a try.

[Ming]

slow start...very slow.... paragraphs too long...details bog down the momentum... don't know if I'll pick this up again

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting, but enjoyable. What I took away was that we're all a lot more alike than I thought we were.

[Christine Bott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and great author!

[Sapna appel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many storylines, that are left hanging. Just long. It could have been presented with more of a solid story if it was just written from Gita's perspective.

[Betsey Beyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hard to follow at times.

[Brandylynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of the best books i have ever read!

[Nettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, wistful tale of a generations-old love curse landing on an Indian family in northern VA.

[Showme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost great.

I'm giving this book three stars, but grudgingly so.

There are pearls of language in Ms. Hampton's work, but just as often, there are passages that are cloyingly precious.

Ms. Hampton took pages to describe the five sisters and their multitudinous attractions in such engaging terms, they were pure pleasure to read.

On the other hand, I felt repulsed by how over-the-top Ms. Hampton was in describing their (and their father's) enormity - it made me wonder if she has some sort of dysmorphic perspective about body weight. One would think each weighed 600 pounds.

I felt impatient with the Chris-Gita-Jeri opera, hoping that if I successfully slogged through all of the turgid drama, I'd be rewarded with a satisfying ending, only to discover ... oh, well, I don't want to spoil the "surprise."

Having said that, Ms. Hampton told a chilling, graphic story of how obsession can lead one to hell.

Another well-told story was that between one of the five sisters and the professor - well done in showing how even a very healthy young woman can get sucked in by a skilled predator.

I'm hopeful that Ms. Hampton got some things out of her system in her first novel, and will really shine in her second.