The Frangipani Year by Alexandra Harris

**** I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review****** 
The Frangipani Year, is an auto-biography by a young American women named Angela. In this book she talks about her emotional attachment & feelings towards helping the people who are in pain (either struck by disaster or torture in the name of law) and her sentimental approach towards life. In this process of self-discovery of what she wants, she lands in a job in the most difficult place to survive for a women- Banda Aceh. 

Her struggle to adjust with her terrible work place while she falls in love and balances her relationship, would be an appropriate description of what this book talks about.

What I Felt:
We always hear about the disasters in different areas, states, countries and how people are suffering for food, water and shelter but what happens after the disaster is over? 

The Frangipani Year: Love and Aid Work in Post-Tsunami Aceh
When I received this book, I was hoping to read more about what happens next... An American women who intends to help people suffering after the Tsunami and helps to uplift the status of the women, to save them from the mental and physical torture; was my perception of the book. Unfortunately, it didn't turn-out that way.

This book was more of a representation of the life of a women who visits this place and tries to make-out a living, falls in love and lives her life on her own terms. That was harsh perhaps to say!

Although if I keep my perception aside, this book is a simple-straight-forward read. 

The association of the beautiful Frangipani flower was very heart-touching moment. Throughout the book, I was looking-forward for the exact relevance of this beautiful flower, even I grew up admiring in the wild and it made complete justice with my share of imagination. "Sparkling eyes!!" 

An American women who struggles to adjust with the work and living environment which is full of danger and emotional torture yet keeps up with her strength is very inspiring. I have to admire that Angela had the guts to fight with whatever came her way, that was amazing! Eventually, she gets what she deserves and her love of life supports her when she needed him the most. 

The story was very realistic and from a materialistic aspect, the life-story of Angela was a practical approach towards self-living. We always wish to do lot of things in life but sometimes have to choose other way around for the sake of mental peace and self-happiness. What we think is not what always happens, until its a hollywood/bollywood movie. 

The Book Cover:
I love the color scheme and the beautiful artwork that complements the storyline. 

About the Author:
Alexandra Harris is a German/American writer and communications specialist who has worked for a number of development organizations and non-profits. 

She currently lives in Colombo, Sri Lanka with her husband and their two young daughters. Alexandra is a lifelong expat and third culture kid, having grown up in Jakarta and Cairo. 

This is her first novel.

Keeping my perception aside, I rate this book 3.5 stars.
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