Anita and MeLike every nine-year-old girl, Meena can't wait to grow up and break free from her parents. But, as the daughter of the only Punjabi family in the mining village of Tollington, her fight for independence is far from typical. Meena wants fish fingers and chips, not chapati and dhal; she wants an English Christmas, not interminable Punjabi festivities with her embarrasing aunties and dreadful cousins; but more than anything, more than mini-skirts, make-up, and the freedom to watch soap operas on television, Meena wants to roam the backyards of working-class Tollington with the feisty Anita Rutter and her gang. With great warmth and humor, Meera Syal brings to life a quirky, spirited 1960s British mining town after the mine has closed. The men have become househusbands, the women work in the ball bearings factory, and Indians have moved in next door.... |
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Common terms and phrases
ain't Amman Anita Rutter arms asked Auntie Shaila back gate Ballbearings began beti Big House bike bloody breath cardigan chapatti chick Christmas corner Daljit Deirdre Diwali door dress eleven-plus eyes face Fat Sally feel felt fingers front gang girl hair Hairy Neddy hand happened head huge Indian Jackie magazine Junglee kids kitchen knew laughed legs lips looked Lowbridge mama and papa mama's Meena mother mouth Nanima never nodded Ormerod papa's parents park Pembridge Pinky and Baby pulled Punjabi realised round rum baba salwar kameez Sandy seemed seen Sherrie Sherrie's shook shouted side sighed sitting slowly smile someone staring stood stopped suddenly Sunil talk tell thought told Tollington took Tracey Trixie turned Uncle Alan village voice waiting walked watching wearing whilst whispered window Wolverhampton women wondered Worrall yard yeah
References to this book
Writing Diaspora: South Asian Women, Culture, and Ethnicity Yasmin Hussain No preview available - 2005 |