Description:
Nominated by the Embassy of Malaysia
At fourteen, Lakshmi leaves her home in Ceylon to marry and live in Malaysia. She faces many challenges as she raises her family in a land that is both harsh and beautiful.
By nineteen, Lakshmi has many children and becomes a strong mother, determined to give them a better life. She survives the Japanese occupation during World War II and the pain of losing some children to hard struggles.
Told through the voices of her family, The Rice Mother shows a world full of both joy and sorrow, where the past and present come alive. This moving story is a powerful debut from a writer who connects deeply with readers, especially women worldwide.