One Hundred Shades of White: A captivating historical literary fiction novel

‘Packs a powerful punch in this book about family, forgiveness and the power of truth.’ Guardian ‘I cannot easily put into words why I told my children their father had died. What was I supposed to tell them? The truth? ‘’Monu, Mol, your father has had enough of responsibility, he has another family, he’s gone, left us.’’ Maybe there are one hundred shades for explaining truth, a spectrum from light to dark, depending on the vulnerability of those who have to hear it. Things are not always clear cut, they are not either black or white, life just isn’t like that.’ Nalini and her two young children are transplanted from luxury in India to the bewildering confusion of London, only to be abandoned by her negligent husband. At first survival is a struggle, but Nalini turns to what she does best: cooking. Her mouthwatering pickles bring financial stability and domestic happiness, as well as affecting everyone who tastes them. Everyone, that is, except for her daughter, Maya. Maya loves fish fingers, burgers and chips. She’s not interested in her history; that died with her father. Resisting the pull of her family, she follows her own chaotic journey which will take her back to India before she can face the truth about her parents, forgive them and herself – and admit that lime pickle is delicious, after all. Preethi Nair's prize-winning One Hundred Shades of White is a compelling narrative of a teenage girl's struggle to come to terms with her family's past and her own future. The story is a poignant exploration of cultural identity, familial bonds, and the transformative power of forgiveness. For fans of Gregory David Roberts (The Mountain Shadow), Sue Monk Kidd (The Book of Longings), Shilpi Somaya Gowda (The Shape of Family), and Jan-Philipp Sendker (The Rebel and the Thief). HarperCollins 2024