The Bitti Chai by Jane Gray
Review by Daisy
This book is a beautifully written love story. The 'Bitti Chai' of the title is the Romany expression for little child, and this story is about Reigneth, a young Romany who is extremely unusual. Her coming has been foretold and until she is married under Algol, the Demon Star, she must be protected and hidden away.
The story starts just after the death of her father Joe, both she and her mother are devastated but feel that life must continue. When her Aunt Liz's invitation to move to Devon and live with them is accepted the reader knows that this is an important decision. From this point on, everything seems to come in sharper focus for Reigneth. Her dreaming becomes starker and she is able to retain more of the information from it. As she and her mother refresh their lives, they move forward in more than just the physical plane.
This book shines with the love of the Romany way of life and its traditions - no surprise as the author is a Romany - what is more fascinating is the way that the rest of society views and is viewed by, this society. The story works on many levels and the author has skilfully woven these into a story that delights.
This is not my usual 'sort' of book, the cover is one that would have made me move on very quickly as it is a bit too Catherine Cookson-ish for my taste, but that would have been a mistake. I enjoyed this tale and the characters within; it was young, fresh and fun.
Published
06/10/2011
Publisher
SilverWood Books
ISBN
9781906236731
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/jane+gray/the+bitti+chai/8688573/
This book is a beautifully written love story. The 'Bitti Chai' of the title is the Romany expression for little child, and this story is about Reigneth, a young Romany who is extremely unusual. Her coming has been foretold and until she is married under Algol, the Demon Star, she must be protected and hidden away.
The story starts just after the death of her father Joe, both she and her mother are devastated but feel that life must continue. When her Aunt Liz's invitation to move to Devon and live with them is accepted the reader knows that this is an important decision. From this point on, everything seems to come in sharper focus for Reigneth. Her dreaming becomes starker and she is able to retain more of the information from it. As she and her mother refresh their lives, they move forward in more than just the physical plane.
This book shines with the love of the Romany way of life and its traditions - no surprise as the author is a Romany - what is more fascinating is the way that the rest of society views and is viewed by, this society. The story works on many levels and the author has skilfully woven these into a story that delights.
This is not my usual 'sort' of book, the cover is one that would have made me move on very quickly as it is a bit too Catherine Cookson-ish for my taste, but that would have been a mistake. I enjoyed this tale and the characters within; it was young, fresh and fun.
Published
06/10/2011
Publisher
SilverWood Books
ISBN
9781906236731
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/jane+gray/the+bitti+chai/8688573/