Overview
The International Booker-winning feminist writer's debut novel asks who is the person behind the veils of purdah, tradition and motherhood.
‘I had never given it a thought. Had Mai had a life before us? Could she have been a little girl whose name was Rajjo?’
‘Mai’ means mother. In a traditional north Indian home, Mai is a silent, submissive presence. Her children aspire to rescue her from patriarchal bounds. But, as they come to realise, Mai quietly resists their version of liberation. Poignant and evocative, Mai weaves its family tales of love and loss around the complex inner life of a woman who hides a boundless, unseen fire.
Mai is essential Shree. As Shree says of the process of writing it: ‘As the novel proceeded and the life of the novel's mother and children unfolded, I was obliged to choose between my intellectual and ideological certainties and the slowly emerging truth of the narrative.’
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Mai (Silently Mother), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Mai (Silently Mother).