there are one hundred shades for explaining truth, a spectrum from light to dark. Things are not always clear cut, they are not either black or white, life just isn′t like that.′

Maya, her mother Nalini and her brother Satchin live a carefree life in India, amongst the vibrancy and superstition of the East. Then their father moves the family to England. There, amid the grey and concrete, they begin to adapt to their new life and forget their heritage. But when Maya′s father abandons them, leaving only deceit and debt behind, they are left to fend for themselves in a strange, damp land.

Maya, though, doesn′t know of her father′s betrayal. Nalini, determined to preserve her children′s pride, tells them that their father died in an accident and, as their struggle to make a life begins, whole realities are built on this lie. While Nalini cooks exotic pickles which enchant all who eat them, Maya begins to adapt to her new home - the unfamiliar food, the language, the music - and then to explore and make bold plans. But even a white lie cannot remain hidden forever - and when the truth resurfaces, it changes everything, forcing Maya to question her relationships, and herself.

Moving and involving, One Hundred Shades of White is a story about truth and forgiveness, unravelled through the mystical art of cooking. It is about telling a lie, to protect the vulnerable, only to have it resurface with unforeseen consequences.

What they said

"A genuinely moving novel䫩ke the bottled spices that play such a role in the story, this has all its ingredients in just the right quantities to spirit away all negative emotions." - Daily Express

"She writes evocatively about childhood and there are passages of tight and lyrical immediacy䌯ving description packs a powerful punch in this book about family, forgiveness and the power of truth." - Guardian

"A carefully woven tale that′s exceedingly good." - Company

Starting points

Do you think Nalini was right to protect her children from the truth or should she have been honest with them?

How important is cultural background to the characters?

What role does food play throughout the book?

About the author

Preethi Nair was born in Southern India but raised in London, where she now lives. Following a career as a management consultant, she gave it all up to self-publish her first novel, Gypsy Masala, which received tremendous publicity. She now writes full time.

Other books by this author:

Gypsy Masala

About Preethi Nair