100% NZ-owned | 80,000+ Books In NZ 📚

Order Today and You Could Win a Year of Free Books! 📚✨

The Village by the Sea

Series: A Puffin Book
3.65 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 4,021 ratings, 294 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Village by the Sea by Anita Desai is set in a small coastal village in India and follows the lives of two siblings, Lila and Hari, who struggle to sustain their family amidst poverty and their father's alcoholism. Their story is one of resilience and hope as they endeavour to find a way forward despite the challenges they face. This touching tale illustrates the power of family and the spirit of survival.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1900
Elsewhere:
$2100
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this story if you appreciate tales about young protagonists facing complex real-life challenges. Set in a coastal village in India, this book is perfect for those who love stories about courage, family, and resilience, and it beautifully captures the essence of rural life and the triumph of hope over adversity.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Village by the Sea

Lila and Hari, aged 13 and 12, struggle to keep the family, including two young sisters, going when their mother is ill and their father usually the worse for drink. When Hari goes to Bombay to find work, Lila seems to be responsible for everything.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Re-issue of this Guardian Award-winning title in the A Puffin Book series.

A story of survival set in a small fishing village near Bombay. The Village by the Sea follows Lila and Hari, aged 13 and 12, as they struggle to keep the family, including their two young sisters, going when their mother is ill and their father is usually the worse for drink.

When Hari goes to Bombay to find work, Lila seems to be responsible for everything. Although the book paints a picture of extreme poverty, it demonstrates the strength of the family even in the most extreme circumstances and offers a powerful picture of another culture.

Series: A Puffin Book

View all

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Village by the Sea by Anita Desai is often praised for its vivid portrayal of rural life in India, offering a touching and realistic depiction of a family's struggles and dreams. Reviewers highlight the strong character development and the emotional depth of the narrative, appreciating how it captures the complexities and challenges faced by the characters. It's admired for its evocative writing and ability to engage readers with its sensitive storytelling.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141359762

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 July 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Puffin

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 226g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Anita Desai was born and brought up in India and has written widely for both adults and children. She has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has won the Guardian Fiction Award.

Also by Anita Desai

View all

More from Children's Books

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.