The Sleeping Dictionary

By: Sujata Massey

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

The term "sleeping dictionary" was coined for young Indian women who slept with British men and educated them in the ways of India. Set between 1925 and the end of World War II, The Sleeping Dictionary is the story of Kamala, born to a peasant family in West Bengal, who makes her way to Calcutta of the 1930s. Haunted by a forbidden love, she is caught between the raging independence movement and the British colonial society she finds herself inhabiting. This portrait of late Raj India is both a saga and a passionate love story.

©2013 Sujata Massey (P)2013 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

" The Sleeping Dictionary, an utterly engrossing tale of love, espionage, betrayal, and survival, is historical fiction at its best, accessible to all audiences." ( Booklist)

"A love story richly woven with India's history and struggle for independence, The Sleeping Dictionary took me on captivating journey through one woman's devastation, resilience, truth and triumph." (Lisa Genova, New York Times best-selling author of Still Alice and Love Anthony.)

" The Sleeping Dictionary is the book that Sujata Massey was meant to write - an ambitious story of suspense and love and identity, rendered in lush, captivating language. To read it is to step into a fast-moving time machine that delivers us to places and events that will be new to many readers. An exciting, bold work." (Laura Lippman, New York Times best-selling author of And When She Was Good)

Best of S. Massey

I’ve read two other books by this author, and enjoyed this one most of all. While telling the story of a young girl’s survival following a hurricane, Massey tells the history of India’s quest for self rule.

Engrossing

Riveting historical/political fiction. I am looking forward to reading more Sujata Massey books. The performance is brilliant. Sneha Mathan astounds every time.

Wonderful, gripping historical saga

I loved the rich descriptions of the people, places and food. It was a moving story with joy and heartache, educational and honest. I couldn't put it down.

I love the history and beauty of India.

The reader was excellent! It adds so much to the story to hear the Indian language spoken so beautifully!

Loved this book and the performer

I was literally swept away by this book. What a grand narrative development told from the perspective of a young girl whose world expands in tandem with the great historical events in India and the world in the first half of the twentieth century.

You will love the way the author plus performer brings these characters to life. You will experience a full range of emotions from family love, passion, grief, curiosity, terror, resilience, self-reliance, and the height of joy.

A very satisfying ending.