Umi Sinha's unforgettable debut is an intense, compelling and finely wrought epic of love and loss, of race and ethnicity, of homeland - and of belonging. Lila Langdon is twelve years old when she witnesses a family tragedy after her mother unveils her father's surprise birthday present - a tragedy that ends her childhood in India and precipitates a new life in Sussex with her great-aunt Wilhelmina. From the darkest days of the British Raj through to the aftermath of the First World War, Belonging by Umi Sinha tells the interwoven story of three generations and their struggles to understand and free themselves from a troubled history steeped in colonial violence. It is a novel of secrets that unwind through Lila's story, through her grandmother's letters home from India and the diaries kept by her father, Henry, as he puzzles over the enigma of his birth and his stormy marriage to the mysterious Rebecca.
Industry Reviews
'A beguiling tale of love, mystery, race, identity and the importance of homeland. Sinha's masterful storytelling and powers of sensual description transcend both history and time.' - The Lady; 'I finished Belonging a few weeks ago and I really loved it!... This is a wonderfully rich and well thought out piece of historical fiction, that explores themes of love, identify, race and colonialism. I loved the three different perspectives and how the story and family secrets gradually unravelled... A beautifully written, page turner. I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like historical fiction.' - The Artful Elle; 'All of the strands [are] equally gripping... The historical details are meticulously researched, from the WW1 sections which delve into the role of Brighton's Royal Pavilion as 'Dr Blighty' and the experiences of the Sikh soldiers who were hospitalised there, to the dark days of the Siege of Cawnpore, but it's as seamlessly woven in as the threads on that mysterious tablecloth.' - Hurst Life; 'Sinha's book is a delight because it deviates from the predictable anti-colonial narrative and instead portrays the intimate lives of the colonials and not the natives... the writing is both gripping and well-researched.' - New Indian Express; 'Reading [Belonging] is a deeply felt, mesmerising experience.' - Historical Novel Society; 'One of the most gripping, engrossing, heart-in-mouth novels I've read... An outstanding first novel.' - Shiny New Books; 'Ambitious and powerful... Belonging explores serious themes and delves deep into dark moments of history, yet remains beautifully readable and engaging to the last - a brilliant, polished debut.' - Sussex Life; 'Sinha balances emotional drama with hard-hitting narrative and this is an excellent read.' - We Love This Book; 'A fascinating and fantastic study of Britain and India through the eyes of three generations of a troubled family' - The Committed Reader; 'A beautifully crafted epic of love and loss, ethnicity and homeland.' - Bookanista
