Mahala - by Carol Marques Barrios (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Historical fiction meets family saga in this sweeping Caribbean tale perfect for fans of Jamaica Kincaid, Wide Sargasso Sea, and The Island of Missing Trees.

St. Vincent, British West Indies, 1900

A woman born before her time, Mahala was always a maverick. Adopted by her mother's best friend and raised next door to her biological siblings, she grows up with the generational challenges of not one, but two families of Indian descent navigating colonial Caribbean society. From a young age, Mahala knows the plan all four parents have set for her future: leave school, marry well, run a household, plan her own future daughters' weddings. But she believes fiercely there must be more to life than this Caribbean island and its restrictive customs.

Seeking to control her own destiny, Mahala must decide if fleeing her homeland and alienating herself from her family is worth the freedom she most desperately wants. If she remains, she will need to agree to a marriage--and a man--arranged by her family and abandon her dream of independence. If she goes, escaping to New York and its gleaming opportunities, her innate intelligence and confidence may have to be enough for her to build the life she's always dreamed of--a life of integrity, strength, and love of her own choosing.

Mahala is a page-turning, coming-of-age story about women's rights, family expectations, and the courage to forge your own path in a world determined to limit your choices.

Review Quotes

"From the very first page, this was a five-star read--right up until the ending. The book explores the expectations that family and society place on women, highlighting their strength and courage to carve out their own paths. It is a beautifully written, deeply moving novel that tells the powerful story of two women who rise above oppression and societal norms to discover their true potential and strength."

--Dr. Radenka Maric, president, University of Connecticut

"Mahala's courage and spirit shine through this lovely tale as told by her own granddaughter.

I would love to have known Mahala and I so enjoyed reading her story--her love of friends and family, her desire to control the course of her own life, and her passion to improve the lives of women in New York's garment center in the 1920's made her as relatable today as she surely was to those lucky enough to be in her sphere."

--Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg, assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine; director of the behavioral sleep medicine program at Connecticut Children's Medical Center

"In Mahala, Carol Barrios captures the personal struggle of a woman trying to break free from the constraints of her culture and a dominating brother to pursue her dreams. Through intimate storytelling and vivid emotion, Barrios draws readers deep into family drama defined by courage, resilience, and an unyielding will that cannot be extinguished."

--Toni Boucher, author of Husky Effect and Stone Doll: A Memoir

"Mahala comes of age in the West Indies at the turn of the 20th century, when a woman's only job was to marry, procreate, and make her family proud. (A gift for sewing was a plus.) Yet Mahala manages not only to resist societal pressure and the demands of her family, but to forge her own remarkable path. As inspired by the author's grandmother, she's a role model for the generations that have followed. Highly recommended."

--Donna Levin, author of The Talking Stick, There's More Than One Way Home, and California Street

"Mahala tells the story of a brave girl who defies her tradition-bound parents and follows her heart, her mind, and her bliss. She aptly builds a life of her own while remaining true to her roots. A lovely read about finding happiness by controlling your destiny."

--Alisha Gorder, author of Joy: A Modern Fable

About the Author

Carol Marques Barrios is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in marketing and Master of Business Administration. She lives with her husband and three daughters in Fairfield, Connecticut. Mahala is her first novel.