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people she is writing about--whatever kind of writing she is doing. She has always been a writer (having published more than 150 pieces in literary journals, children's magazines and newspapers). Badami. born in eastern India, was the daughter o f a railway father and high-school biology Anita Rau Badami, author o f Tamarind Mem. Badami will teacher mother. After finishing a B . A . and a diploma in social communications childhood into an autobiography. Badami does say the types of things that happen to K a m i n i are from her own childhood. " I ' m just not sure how much is from my own memories and how much I've cooked up from others' experiences." A s for the mother figure in this beautifully woven tale. Badami says "the strength and crankiness is the combination o f a lot o f women in my family." Badami also laughingly admits her mother has not yet read Tamarind Mem. "I have given her the book, but maybe she is afraid to see what it says." Tamarind Mem is an artful web of stories within stories. The reader can sympathize with both the romantic imagination and stubborn need to question tradition o f the daughter and with the sometimes bitter approach and stubborn need to fall back on tradition (to exact some guilt-ridden sympathy) of the mother. These relationships between mother and daughter, sisters, aunts, and fathers are classic. "Most o f the people who have read [Tamarind Mem] have the same reaction," says Badami, "They say, 'hey. that is just like my m o m , ' or 'this is like me.' A n d that is the thing I'd hoped for-- the underlying emotions and feelings would be universal." The cultural differences are nevertheless apparent. While Saroja is telling her life story to some new companions, she talks about how she openly fought with her husband and how her sister advised her to keep quiet. The companions all add their own perspective: "What your sister said is true, you can get more done i f you keep your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open." From another, "There is time for this and that. When I am very angry. I cook so badly that it sticks in the throat. Then my husband and the children all look up from their busy lives and say. ah. something is wrong, she is upset." It may be fiction, but the presentation is so real, you can see it--and almost touch it. as l i t e r a r y ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ give a reading at the media. Badami first employed her Vancouver Public writing skills as a copy writer i n an Library on September 10, at 7:30 p.m. Call 381-4044 for information. Photo: David Van VlieL ad agency and then as a freelance journalist writing for three national newspapers and fiction writer for children's magazines. When Badami's husband switched career paths and moved his family to Calgary in 1991. she felt she could not write for Canadian newspapers: " Y o u need to know the way people's minds work and the political systems." But Badami says, "I had to write something." In a letter to an editor she wrote. " O n l y after I left India for Canada did I realize how strange was the life I led for so many years." Badami enrolled in creative writing courses at the University o f Calgary and eventually did her M . A . there. Her thesis paper has now turned into her first novel. Tamarind Mem. A n d she is certainly in the minds and hearts of the characters, as the story is about the memories of a young East Indian woman, K a m i n i . who has recently moved to Calgary. She and her enigmatic mother, Saroja, who still lives in India, alternately tell the tale o f their years as being, respectively, the daughter o f and the wife of a railway man. Saroja's perspective in the second half of the novel reveals details that her daughter either could not, or would not. understand. Kamini's life is a compilation of experiences Badami had growing up. Reading through the novel, one may make the assumption that the central character is definitely Badami. but the author says she hasn't written her AUDITIONS B R I T J S H C 0 L.U M B I A Goi»U van Wye*. Music Diteaof TOURING CHOIR Open to Boys & Men 10-24 years INTERMEDIATE CHOIR Open to Boys 10-14 years THE CHORISTERS Training Choir for Boys 8-14 years Rehearsals held in Vancouver and West Vancouver A beautiful blend ofWestcoast pottery, weaving and fine crafts selected for your gift and home decorating ideas...in the ever changing seasons of Sylvan. For information regarding our Summer and Fall Auditions Phone 926-5230 3080 Edgemont Blvd. N o r t h Vancouver, 986-4863