Listen to Thrity Umrigar Talk About Her Memoir First Darling of the Morning and Enter to Win a Copy!

Many of you participated in, or have since listened to, my Book Club Girl on Air book club show with Thrity Umrigar about her bestselling novel, The Space Between Us. As those of you who listened know, parts of that novel were inspired by Umrigar's own experiences growing up in India. Now, in her memoir, First Darling of the Morning, you can hear her real-life account of her childhood and adolescence in 1960s and 70s Bombay. It's not to be missed. Listen to her being interviewed about First Darling of the Morning below and browse inside the book here. Check out the reading group guide. Comment on what you've read or heard and I'll choose five people from all the comments received by Friday, November 14th at midnight to receive a free copy of the book!

Comments

[Julie P.]

I have read a few of Ms. Umrigar's books and I'll certainly be reading this one. I love her writing style and think she's such an amazing writer. The BlogTalk Radio show you did with her was so interesting, and I have a feeling that she is a fascinating person. I would love to know more about her and her life. This excerpt reminds me of the way she has with words -- so much insight!

[Darby Lohrding]

Jen,
You know I loved her book "The Space Between Us"! I read the pages available in the book and the readers guide and two things stand out to me.
1. When I was young I too fell in love with The Sound of Music....side note: in the middle of the movie I tugged on my mom's sleeve and told her that I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up....she said "what", I told her "a nun".....she laughed out loud so loud that it made a memory in my mind that will never be earsed! 2. I think it would be fastinating to read how other cultures mimic the US..how little we know! 3. I wonder if "Mehroo" becomes Julie Andrews in this book, kindof like a fairy tale, Bombay style!
Thanks for the intro!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

[RobynL]

Would love to read about her early life in the 60's/70's. A very interesting book to be sure.

[Kathy]

I love memoirs and this one sounds fascinating since it's set in another culture.

[S. Krishna]

OOH - I so want to be entered for this one!!!

[S. Krishna]

And of course, I hit "post" too quickly. I've read "If Today Be Sweet" and absolutely loved it. Being an American-born Indian, I really enjoy reading books from Indian authors because I feel like it helps me understand my culture.

[Jenn]

I would love to be entered into this contest. I read The Space Between Us and instantly fell in love with the author's writing style, her "voice". I would love to have the opportunity to read more about her early life and the experiences that helped mold her into an amazing writer.

[Lauren]

I listened to the interview, and am interested in hearing about her own "coming of age" story, being raised by her extended family. She said something to the effect of "it was like having two dads and three moms". This is very different from the experience of most American youth today, considering we normally ship all of our elderly relatives to live in retirement homes.

[Bridget]

I've posted this contest at Win A Book. No need to enter me in the contest.

[Sara Miller]

I too appreciate Thrity Umrigar's voice, it would be interesting to get some perspective on her life in relation to her career as an author. Sounds like a great book. Please enter me. Thanks.
Sararush at hotmail dot com

[Alyce]

Reading the first bit of her book, I was drawn in with her descriptions of how she loved The Sound of Music and the large happy family dynamic. I was the youngest and raised basically as an only child because my sisters are much older, so I could really relate to that.
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

[amandasue]

Thrity had a bombay childhood and came to the usa at 21. She now lives in Cleveland Ohio. She attended a catholic school in a hindu city (which i found intersting) I read the readers guide. Her journey sounds very interesting and I'd love to be entered for her book! Thanks!

unforgetable_dreamer_always AT hotmail DOT com

[Dawn]

Your interview with Thrity Umrigar (for *The Space Between Us*) was the first one I participated in, back in May!

Chapter 2 of the excerpt of *First Darling of the Morning* made me so sad for what she felt as a child, with the animosity her mother felt toward her aunt! Thrity didn't let out any of that personal story in the fiction of *The Space Between Us*

[Teddy]

I would love to read Ms. Umrigar's coming-of-age memoir about growing up in the Bombay middle class. I friends here in Canada from Bombay and I find the culture fascinating. I have heard stories of family. However, as in most cultures most are left in the family. I would love to read Ms. Umrigar's first hand account of what she has experienced.

I have heard so many wonderful things about this book and hope I win.

teddyr66(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)]

I have not read any of her books, but this seems like a fantastic story about her evolution from child to adult.

I like the idea of living in an extended family and how that can shape a child. Bombay is a city I know little about, but it would be interesting to see this culture.

Her discussion about her own coming of age in relation to the coming of age of her nation is an interesting parallel and I would like to see how that unfolds.