Burnt Bread and Chutney: Growing Up Between Cultures - A Memoir of an Indian Jewish Childhood

by Carmit Delman

Book Overview

"From the outside, no matter what the gradations of my mixed heritage, the shadow of Indian brown in my skin caused others to automatically perceive me as Hindu or Muslim. . . . Still, I trekked through life with the spirit of a Jew, fleshed out by the unique challenges and wonders of a combined brown and white tradition." In the politics of skin color, Carmit Delman is an ambassador from a world of which few are even aware. Her mother is a direct...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345445945
• ISBN13: 9780345445940
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Very interesting book

Enjoyed learning more about Indian culture especially from an Indian Jewish author. I enjoyed the book/

Unique Memoir

A very different take on growing up Jewish in the United States. You won't find the usual lox and bagels stories here.

Burnt Bread review

Every author wishes to touch the emotions of their readers, Ms Delman does just that in "Burnt Bread and Chutney." At first, I felt embarrassed that a man is reading something meant for WOMEN! But pages later, I found myself amused and at times angered, wishing I could help some of the players within. I found I actually "could not put this book down" until I found out what happened! As ROOTS and GHANDI touched me, so did this book - it too, would make a great movie! (Hey Mr. Spielberg, if you liked The Color Purple, you'll love this!) This book will turn your vision onto a side of life that many are unaware - it will touch your soul....and it will touch your heart.

Engrossing read!

Carmit Delman has truly outdone herself in this wonderful account of her life. The juxtaposition of her life with that of her grandmother, led by quotes from "Nana-bai's" diary was unique and kept me so intrigued that I finished the book in 2 days. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to hear more from Carmit!

Spicy, Authentic, and Delicious

Delman's "Burnt Bread and Chutney" was fascinating, and difficult to put down. My interests in Judaism and the culture of India were both piqued and satisfied in this debut work, and I imagine we will be reading much more by Carmi Delman.The American experience, the feeling of being an outsider, dealing with assimilation and yet never quite fitting in - it's all dealt with in this fictionalized account of a girl's growing up as Indian and Jewish in America and Israel. You can almost taste the food and hear the accents, and you certainly feel her angst; don't pass this by.