Shyama Perera

Shyama Perera was the first Sri Lankan child to be born in Moscow. Her mother brought her to England in 1962, in vain pursuit of her father. Now a writer and broadcaster, she lives in north-west London with her daughters, Nushy and Tushy. [publisher blurb]

Newsclips

Real life writ large. Joan Smith, on modern romance novels, in the Guardian. May 2000.

Interview at writewords.org

Bibliography



Taking Precautions
New Holland Publisher (2004)

A fascinating account of the often imaginative ways in which humans throughout history have tried to prevent themselves from propagating the race. These range from crocodile dung pessaries, diaphragms made from lemon halves and the linen condoms pioneered by the Italian anatomist Falloppio in the 16th century, through to the breakthrough of the Pill - and the women's liberation it represented - in the 1960s and beyond to the 21st century. Although the methods of today are relatively sophisticated, a foolproof form of contraception has yet to be found if the number of unplanned pregnancies each year is anything to go by. With fascinating illustrations, Taking Precautions is an engrossing, thorough, down-to-earth and amusing history of an often taboo subject.

Sawnet Review by Lisa E. J. Lau

Do the Right Thing
Sceptre, London (2002)

Ingeniously using the legend of Rama and Sita and placing it in a modern-day setting, Perera's novel is the funny and moving account of Chita, an Indian woman who struggles to combine a traditional family life with a demanding career. Added to these demands, are the attentions of Chita's beguiling American boss and the temptations of lust and money presented by company reshuffling.

Sawnet Review by Reeta Sinha

Review in Redhotcurry.com

Bitter Sweet Symphony
Sceptre (2000)

Haven't Stopped Dancing Yet
Sceptre (1999)

South Asian Women authors
Sawnet Bookshelf
Sawnet