Gifted
Gifted by Nikita Lalwani, published by Penguin Books in 2008, is a literary work that explores the complexities of childhood through the lens of a young maths prodigy. Set in Cardiff during the 1980s, the story follows Rumi Vasi, whose exceptional talent in mathematics serves as both a refuge and a source of tension within her family. As Rumi navigates her unique abilities and the challenges of growing up, she grapples with the evolving meaning of love and belonging in her life.
Readers will find a narrative that balances humor and tenderness while delving into themes of family dynamics and the pressures of academic excellence. The book presents a poignant examination of Rumi’s experiences, highlighting the interplay between her mathematical gifts and her emotional struggles. Gifted offers insights into the social and educational landscapes of the time, making it a reflective piece on the intersections of talent, identity, and familial expectations. With 272 pages, this edition is available in English and invites readers to engage with Rumi’s journey of self-discovery and the complexities of her relationships.
Official synopsis Publisher
In a voice that is by turns very funny and fiercely tender, Gifted by Nikita Lalwani brings us a captivating story of high aspirations and deep longing, and of the sometime loneliness of childhood.
Cardiff in the 1980s is a place where maths can get you noticed. Rumis Vasi is the town’s ‘maths prodigy’: untangling numbers and Rubik’s Cubes protects her from the harsh vagaries of the playground and gives a pattern to her world. But after years of her father’s determined tutoring, Rumi finds that numbers are beginning to lose their innocence. India infuses her with a romantic sense of belonging and, as she grows older, and desire becomes a dirty word in the Vasi household, the idea of love is opened up to painful examination.
‘A sparkling funny and poignant study of a young maths prodigy struggling with her gift and a difficult family’ Gerard Woodward, Books Of The Year, Observer
‘Superb, brilliantly realised. The searing narrative is unflinchingly and tenderly written’ Independent
‘Compelling, heart-wrenching and laced with redemptive hope . . . Touching and funny’ Observer
Nikita Lalwani was born in Rajasthan and raised in Cardiff. Her first novel Gifted was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and won the Desmond Elliott Prize. She lives in London.
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