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Bitter Leaves
Bitter Leaves | Tabatha Stirling
4 posts | 3 read | 12 to read
Near the west coast of Singapore lies the leafy enclave of Sabre Green a haven of wealth and luxury in one of the richest countries in the world. But beneath the glamour lies the insidious truth of the countrys maid culture, where a womans life is cheap. Here are the voices of the unheard of maid and employer, of village girl and city dweller. Follow Lucilla, Maam Leslie, Shammi and Madame Eunice as they strive, each in their own way, to exist in a country whose pristine exterior belies the dark shadows beneath. In this candid, often brutal narrative, the lives of four women are woven together. What follows is a story of loss, madness, abuse and hope and the ways in which they can haunt a womans life. * A great read; tense, vivid and involving, both heart-breaking and heart-warming Lesley Glaister, author of Jerwood Prize winner Little Egypt
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suvata
Bitter Leaves | Tabatha Stirling
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Pickpick

I had no idea what to expect from this ARC when I read in the front matter how it was published: “Unbound website, authors share the ideas for the books they want to write directly with readers. If enough of you support the book by pledging for it in advance, we produce...” I ended up loving this story about the abuses perpetrated by wealthy householders against their maids In Singapore. There was much depth and believability in these characters.

rockpools I really like Unbound - they publish a lot of interesting important stuff, along with the just-plain-silly. I‘ll look out for this one. 6y
suvata @RachelO I had never heard of Unbound before. I am definitely going to check out their other books and projects. 6y
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Lel2403
BITTER LEAVES. | TABATHA. STIRLING
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Pickpick

What an amazing book, the writing was just so emotional and evocative I have been transported to Singapore. I loved the separate POV‘s as it gave each character their own voice and personality. Tragic, sad, anger inducing and then hope and love, a book to touch your soul. This will,stay with me for a long time and I‘m going to have to read it again soon.

Thanks to The Pigeonhole and Tabatha Stirling for the opportunity to read this

KateFulfordAuthor Nice review, thanks 6y
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Lel2403
BITTER LEAVES. | TABATHA. STIRLING
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I‘m currently reading this via The Pigeonhole, it‘s a brutal heartbreaking tale of Indonesian housemaids in Singapore. It‘s slavery by any other name and not an easy read. I‘m about halfway and it‘s making me both angry and upset at the same time, some brilliant writing and I‘m intrigued as to how this will end……tough stuff.

MayJasper The vileness of humans enslaving other humans is, to me, so hard to comprehend and makes me feel powerless against such evil. 6y
MayJasper I love your photo 😊 6y
Lel2403 @MayJasper it‘s from the pigeonhole, the one they are using to promote the book📖 6y
scowler1 Slavery will end when the sun gets hot enough to burn us all off this planet. Cheery thought for the day! 6y
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blurb
Lel2403
BITTER LEAVES. | TABATHA. STIRLING
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Just starting this on the Pigeonhole ....not really sure as yet what it‘s about as only first stave issued today

ShookBelf I need to start this one today. Hope it's a good one. 6y
Lel2403 It‘s pretty good so far, good writing but not sure where it‘s going yet 6y
71 likes2 comments