The Eye of the Horse

Authors are sometimes treading a dangerous path when they produce a sequel to match a particularly fine book, but Jamila Gavin has triumphantly delivered a magnificent book in this follow-up to The Wheel of Surya. The story of Marvinder and Jaspal, separated from their mother when leaving India, continues their miserable life in London. Father, whom they'd hoped to find a wealthy man, is in prison, leaving them in the care of his girlfriend, Maeve, and her daughter. Turning to some friends, the Chadwicks (who shared their lives in India), they cling to the hope that life will get better if they can find out whether their mother is alive or dead. Here is a rich tapestry of many strands which the author weaves together brilliantly, spanning continents and sweeping the reader along. A feast of a story.