5 Minutes for Books — The Moon in the Mango Tree
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When I was younger, I often selected books based on the thickness of their spine. I read so much and so quickly that I wanted to get bang for my buck, so I selected thick books so that they would last longer. When I was trying to decide among several books, the thickest one always won out.
The way a book looks still affects me. Trade paperbacks are most appealing, and a compelling picture and the font of the title also calls to me or turns me away (I mused a bit more about these odd predilections that I seem to have developed of late in another post on my Snapshot blog). 
The Moon in the Mango Tree did call to me. I liked the color, the size (thick!), and the plot elements to which the back-of-the-book description hinted: medical missionary work in rural Siam, the choices one makes when we get married, and the setting of the 1920′s.
Author Pamela Binnings Ewen based this novel on her grandmother’s life. Knowing this, I was even more impressed with the story, because the heroine makes choices and expresses feelings and doubts that would be labeled as “irresponsible” by some people and cause some people to root for her, and others to perhaps question her decisions. This is not simply a feel-good tribute to a family member. It’s a novel based on the very interesting life of someone who happened to be her grandmother.
Barbara Perkins goes to remote Siam as a newlywed–not knowing much about her husband or what the life of a medical missionary’s wife would require of her. She gives up the promise of a career singing opera to move to an unknown land in support of her husband. This sacrifice and the confusion over their rightful place in that country fuel her discontent with that life. The place and time of this novel provide captivating and realistic layers to the characterization and plot. The time is the 1920′s, and in addition to a mission hospital in Nam, the settings include Bangkok, Italy, and France. Ewen writes descriptively about these places which makes certain scenes read like (a very interesting) travelogue.
Would you like to win one of two copies of The Moon in the Mango Tree (U.S. shipping address only)? Leave a comment here, and tell me which part of this book’s plot intrigues you most.
The winner of last week’s book, I Brake for Meltdowns, is #222 Kefe.
This is a part of the Bloggy Giveaways carnival, taking place from July 28 – August 1. Go HERE for all the details to find out how to join up with your own giveaway or to enter some of the other contests that will be linking up all week.
164 Comments
I love stories that are based on real people’s lives!
I have heard about this book before and was intrigued by it. I think the most interesting part of the plot is to read about what life was like in Nam before the 1960′s.
My daughter is a missionary, so that sounds cool.
I love the fact that it is based on her grandmothers life.
i’m fascinated by people who do missionary work of any kind
looks interesting, add me please
The medical missionary part interests me – I think historical fiction is a great way to learn about history!
Looks like a good book
I am intrigued by her marrying someone she didn’t know well and entering into an unknown lifestyle. She must’ve been very brave! Count me in.
I think the part that intrigues me most is that Barbara has choices to make. In searching for her answers she surely will face many situations that will cause her to question those choices. Sounds like a good read.
the fact tht its in siam is pretty cool!
This looks like a great book! I like that it’s set in the 1920′s. Thanks for the chance to win.
The most interesting thing about the book to me is the foreign and older setting–it sounds very intriguing! (I really lie the cover, too)! Missionary stories also appeal to me, especially if they’re based on truth.
misshoney_bee(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for the great giveaway!!! Please include me!
gerijones64@hotmail.com
The whole medical missionary subplot
i;ve finished my last book and can sure use another one
This grandma thinks the title alone “The Moon
in the Mango Tree” makes you want to turn to the
first page right now.
Sounds like a great book. I like that it was based on her grandmother’s life and that we will get “to travel” to far away places. Thank you.
Well, I’m a missionary’s kid, so I love stories of missionaries. I also love travel, so reading about life in another country is always interesting.
The sacrifice and the confusion over their rightful place in that country fuel her discontent with that life, makes me want to find out what happens.
I love books like these where people draw on their own experiences or the experiences of those in their lives!!! Count me in!!!
The book sounds really interesting… I like that the story is based on the author’s grandmother’s life. Thanks for the giveaway!
The idea of her giving up her dreams to move with a man she hardly knows – I would love to know if she falls in love with him or always regrets her choice.
I’m an avid reader and a mom, so I’m interested in both the giveaway and the “5 minutes” websites! The book sounds fascinating – I love historical novels, especially ones set in cultures other than our own, and this one sounds like a winner. Thanks for the giveaway!
This has so many great elements. I especially love to read about people using their profession as part of being a missionary. Sounds like a good read!
going to remote Siam as a newlywed-I don’t know if I’d do that-sounds like an interesting book
Does she stay with her husband? I need to know!
Now I am curious about this book it is a must have for me to read. Great story line and thank-you for the contest.
that she goes to Siam not really knowing her husband very well
Many of us think we know our spouses but it takes a lifetime. I’m intrigued by the exotic locale – Thailand – Siam – is place I’ve always wanted to visit. Like you, I also can’t handle a thick read with a toddler who is entering his terrible (curious)twos early.
Well I’m glad that I’m not the only one who has their book “quirks”. I took look at the title and cover and the thickness was important too. Thanks so much for this awesome giveaway!!!
I’d interested in reading about being a missionary.
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com
This sentence intrigues me the most, “Ewen writes descriptively about these places which makes certain scenes read like (a very interesting) travelogue” I love books & reading & I love how you can feel transported while reading. This book almost promises that!
It sounds a little maybe like “The Painted Veil.” What interests me is that I bet it’s got great imagery about the beauty of the land as well as great description of emotions.
I love reading about the 1920′s, so that is the clincher for me. Doubt to win it, but at least now Im interested enough to go out and buy it. Thanks for the great recommendations!
The intriguing part is the fact that she moves to Siam with no knowledge of the location. Sounds like a great read.
I think the part that intrigues me is seeing how her relationship with her husband developes in such an unusual background.
enter me please
So much appeals to me that it’s difficult to choose the one thing that intrigues me most. I guess it’s that the story is about a woman’s life in a time when, though fairly recent, women were not typically seen as full individuals in their own right; a woman’s thoughts and feelings during this time are not often delved into. I’d love to win!
Thanks for the great contest =)
The era it takes place as well as it being based on real life.
Thanks for having this giveaway. I recently heard about this book and would really like to read it. I took French in high school and college, so France definitely interests me – I am interested in the part of the book that takes place in France.
true story?Wud luv to read this!
looks like a great book.Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I like that the book is based on a real person.
I love a romance novel based in th 20′s
would love to read this book.
herry123 at live dot com
I think being immersed in a different country as a newly wed would certainly have it’s challenges. I would look forward to reading about how she handled that situation.
the missionary aspect gets me too, and I love to read.
The missionary aspect of it appeals to me. Thanks!
I love books about travel to faraway places! It’s so much fun to imagine visiting. Please count me in!
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