Jana Bibi's Excellent Fortunes: A Novel
“Sweet and charming. . . . With its appealing and somewhat exotic setting, and a colorful cast of engaging characters. . . this is a stellar debut bound to charm fans of Alexander McCall Smith.” –Booklist (starred)"First-time author Betsy Woodman has crafted a charming tale that brings the culture, sights and sounds of 1960s India to life. Drawing on her own experiences from 10 childhood years spent in India, Woodman creates engaging characters and fertile prose make this a treasure not to be missed."-- Lincoln Journal Star“What a charming, engaging, and utterly delightful novel! It takes a writer of enormous talent and heart, to say nothing of spiritual depth, to give us a life-affirming story such as this. I am already impatient to get the next Jana Bibi book, because reading this novel put me in such a good mood…I might have a t-shirt made up that says,Fire your therapist. Read Betsy Woodman.”--Elizabeth Berg, author ofOnce Upon a Time There Was YouandThe Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted “As if discovered in the library of an old country inn on a dark and rainy day, Jana Bibi’s Excellent Fortunes unfolds like an unexpected gift from another time." -- Diane Meier, author ofThe Season of Second Chances “Oh, you must read this wonderful book! First of all, how refreshing to read about woman over fifty embarking on an adventure. Secondly, the adventure is so colorful and intriguing, and Jana Bibi is so wise, generous, and comfortable with who she is that it’s a pleasure to go with her. Thirdly, her engaging characters are fully human yet ultimately optimistic. Half way through the book I looked up at my husband and said, ‘That’s it. You and I are moving to India.’” – Rebecca Barry, author ofLater, at the Bar “If you like Alexander McCall Smith’s quirky, atmospheric novels or you enjoyedthe Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,Jana Bibi’s Excellent Fortuneswill appeal to you with its international charms, multigenerational characters, philosophical bent and gentle intrigue.” –Concord Monitor “A most excellent adventure ‘Jana Bibi’s Excellent Fortunes’ are a treasure that all can enjoy. . . there is delight to be found everywhere in Woodman’s descriptions and dialogue. . . Woodman’s book calls to mind the movies of Wes Anderson (‘Darjeeling Express’ and ‘Moonrise Kingdom’). . .  [and] the current hit film ‘Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.’ Which is another way of saying this book would make a splendid movie and readers may find themselves hoping for one so they don’t have to bid Namaste and farewell to the special people they have grown to love while reading.”– NH Magazine