Thursday, January 31, 2013

Karma

Karma / Cathy Oslere

On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in New Delhi and for three days Sikh men are targeted and killed in retribution for the prime minister's death. It is  into this chaos that fifteen-year-old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India's political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya's awakening to the world. Karma is the story  of how she straddles two cultures, endures personal loss, and ultimately learns forgiveness, acceptance, and love.

Discussion questions:
-The format of the book is written in "free verse". Did you enjoy this writing style? Were you able to follow the  different narrative voices in the techniques of using italics, brackets, margins and page breaks?

-Do you know anything about the historical significance of the assassination of Indira Gandhi? What did you learn about the Indian culture that you never knew before?

-Has your definition of "karma" changed after reading this book? How?

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