Kaleidoscope City: A Year in Varanasi

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was there and I really didn't want my stay to end. I would set the book down and reflect. I found myself going to YouTube to tour the city so I even felt more like I was there. When reading about the music I listened to it and meditated in the sun of my backyard. Enjoyed the book so much got a copy of Honey and Dust, another book by Piers. And I find myself taking a slow trip along with him, not wanting it to end to soon. If you love to travel vicariously, this is a great read for you.

Good read if going there. A little dry after while.

I was surprised to love this book so much! The prose is eloquent, thoughtful, but not in a self-indulgent way. I've never been to Varanasi but feel that this was an awesome way to understand the city before I get there myself.

As fascinating, colorful and moving as India itself. I loved the author's respectful tone; he does not demean what he doesn't understand, but tries to, and succeeds, in illuminating it for those of us who have never been to this country of staggering contrasts.

Piers Moore Ede is very happy with his chance to live in Varanasi for a year. He fell in love with India on earlier visits and he's excited to live there. For a year he explores the city. He meets with business owners, observes local customs and discovers many things about Varanasi and India. He makes new friends and almost every day he learns something interesting. Varanasi is the spiritual capital of India. Piers Moore Ede tries to find out what makes this city and its inhabitants so special.Kaleidoscope City is a very well written report of Piers Moore Ede's year in Varanasi. He's met so many interesting people and writes about their encounters. Not all of these meetings are with men and women who have something happy and positive to tell. Even though the lives of some of these people are hard and sometimes miserable they aren't afraid, because they know that death will mean they're ready for something better.I loved the chapter about the Ganga. The river is so important and it's suffering, because it's polluted. Some people are very worried about that, but so far their battles haven't had much result. Piers Moore Ede talks about it with both the highly educated who are working from an office and those who use the river itself and whatever it has to offer as their main source of income. That's something I like about this book. It's mainly observational and because of the conversations the author has with a great variety of people the reader gets to see many different points of view. Another chapter I loved was the one about the weavers of India's beautiful intricate fabrics. Modern times are making it difficult for some of the weavers to keep earning money, but for others it's a golden opportunity.Kaleidoscope City is a perfect read for those who like travel stories and who want to know more about India. Because the author stayed there for a year he had the time to get to know Varanasi quite well. I think the report is beautiful and honest and it's certainly interesting. I learned a lot from it and think it's a fascinating read.

Piers Moore Ede is a friend of a friend and to be totally honest I picked up this book as a favour with no idea what it was about and hope rather than expectation that it was something I'd enjoy!! That said, I am so very glad I did and I will happily devour anything else Piers cares to write with genuine enthusiasm!The author has a light touch with prose which captivated me from the outset. The book discusses some fairly weighty issues such as corruption and the rape and exploitation of women but never feels hard going or judgemental and these 'darker' views of the luminous city of Varanasi are expertly counterbalanced with humorous stories and chance encounters.Piers has a real skill at bringing dialogue to life and I was instantly transported back to my own experiences in India. His love for the country in spite of its numerous frustrations and paradoxes, shines through and reminded me how much I wish I was back there myself!!Kaleidoscope City captures perfectly, the mixture of practical and spiritual which epitomises life in this vibrant and unique country. I can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in learning more about life in one of the most important cities in India.

I have read only the first few pages and am utterly captivated ... Piers' evident love of this unique city - and India - pulses through everysentence. He is blessed with an uncanny knack of capturing in few words the essence of this beguiling city and its people; anyone who has visited will be immediately transported back there. Marvellous ...

Book in superb condition and I look forward to reading it. Arrived well within the time given. I am sure I will enjoy it.

I was transported and moved by this book, having been myself to India on three separate occasions, Moore edge sent me back I time to the colours and tastes of a unique and fascinating country. His ability to also tie in important social issues as well as humourous observations in to what could be simply just a travel blog is what makes this book special and hopeful of what this talented writer has lined up for us next.

Fantastic book, fantastic writer. Vivid, alive and fascinating insight into an extraordinary city. Highly recommended.