Adrienne Loftus Parkins, former head of Asia House’s Literary Festival, organiser of the National Portrait Gallery’s Contemporary Literary Festival and head of Asia Word gives her best books on Asia from the last decade, including my first book, Holy Warriors. Some of my favourites on the list include Silk Road by Colin Thubron, Descent into Chaos by Ahmed Rashid, Maximum City by Suketu Mehta and The Glass Palace by Amithav Ghosh. See link
Reviews
Sunday Times Best Travel Books 2008: The Last Jews of Kerala
January 6, 2009 – 3:30 am
The Last Jews of Kerala was included in the Sunday Times’ list of the Best Travel Books of 2008. See the link for details.
US Jewish Book Council review
November 17, 2008 – 6:57 am
The Last Jews of Kerala details the fascinating history of the 2,000 year old little-known Jewish community in India’s Kerala region, from its inception to its apex to its impending extinction. Author Edna Fernandes gives the work a human side by describing not only the history but her interactions with the present generation of these Jews, who now number fewer than fifty. The reader joins Fernandes in what feels like her personal journey of discovery. The subject is fascinating and poignant, the journey both languid and intense. Fernandes’ strongest suit is her ability to introduce a theme, seamlessly interweave it within the story, and conclude by unfolding a cohesive tapestry. Readers interested in Jewish history will not be disappointed.
Sunday Times
October 3, 2008 – 9:55 pm
A touching investigative account…Fernandes movingly captures the sombre, embattled mood of this population in ‘countdown mode’, all too painfully aware that they have already become a ’souvenir people’” Read Review at Times Online
Literary Review
October 3, 2008 – 9:54 pm
“A dazzling history, well recounted by Edna Fernandes in this pacy, fascinating account of a Jewish settlement little known in the West,”
Alison Withers Editor of Gap Year
October 3, 2008 – 9:49 pm
“Fernandes has carefully pieced together a remarkable and ultimately tragic story of the consequences of religion-induced intolerance, human pride and stubbornness and a fitting follow-up to her first book, Holy Warriors,” Read Review at Gap Year
The Times
October 3, 2008 – 9:47 pm
“The extinction of the few remaining Jews of Cochin is imminent…this short, tragic testament will memorialise them,” Read review at The Times
Economist
October 3, 2008 – 9:46 pm
“Fascinating. The story is compelling, the author’s reporting of it assiduous. Indeed, she has unearthed gems,”
Jewish Book Week
October 3, 2008 – 9:46 pm
“The gripping story of a dying community in Southern Indian…How racial snobbery and prejudice led to apartheid between the White and Black Jews. Real food for thought”
Jewish Chronicle
October 3, 2008 – 9:45 pm
“Fernandes has produced a moving account of the declining Jewish community of Cochin in southern India. Her patiently conducted interviews draw out an affecting story of human foibles,”
