Individual Book Reviews

“The Sixth Night”

A novel by Silviano C. Barbosa

What Readers have said…

about the novel “The Sixth Night”

THE SIXTH NIGHT

by

Silviano C. Barbosa

Goa Raj Books

Toronto, Canada.

pp 314, Hard Cover, December 2004

US$ 20

1) Lynn Souza-Marques (Siolim) , Mississauga, Toronto

Retired, Sportman, Konkani Script Writer, Critic, Asli Goenkar!

Moghal SILVIANO:

There is no doubt in my mind  your novel THE SIXTH NIGHT seems to me a real and true story although you say the incidents are fictitious. In any case my HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS for bringing forth vivid memories of my younger days especially the words like kollso, shidi, divo, the ingredients used to prepare different dishes like, sorpotel, cabidel, butch, assago, kalchi coddi, recheada pamplit etc etc.  and many other words like chuddo, muddi, etc etc  including the Portugues verses and the mandos. Sem duvida e uma historia de nossa vida not forgetting the paro, miscut, boram,anteram {custard apple} etc etc. Well Silviano I raised my hat to you. You are the man with many  degrees including Information Technology professional. Oh yes, you have touched  the center nerve including the political situation the ways we lived  before 1961 - of course the CC {caste & creed system} that was a major part in those days and I suppose still prevailing  but gradually dying down. Mixed marriages, is a common thing in our beloved Goa - Chod xebaski tucam because you are a Linguist with four different languages. Writing the love triangle  is a piece of cake in your capicity. Saud anim sucego tucam and Devan tuca dovorlea puro hea sounsarant  zaitim vorsam burouncheak  dusri  khodegant novel. The younger generation does not have the faintest idea what life we had before 1961 including the Goans who lived  in India and Overseas.

Silviano, to tell you frankly I was really puzzled to read the title  "THE SIXTH NIGHT". I do remember you telling me that you were in process of writing a Novel, now I do know what your meant the "Sottvi Raat". Maybe this type of Karma is also practised in  whole of Goa which I did not know till I read the Novel.

Once again my HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS on your venture.

Tujo moghal ixtt, Asli Niz Goemcar,

=LYNN=

 
2) Marfie Fernandes, Toronto, Canada
 

August 2, 2005 7:03:43
To :	goache@hotmail.com
Subject :	The Sixth Night

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Dear Silviano

Although I was born and raised in Africa, my parents spoke Konkani at home. Reading Sixth Night brought back a lot of memories. I could not put the book down. At times it made me laugh and many a times very sad. Every Goan family should read this book.

Well done Silviano.


Marfie Fernandes.

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3) Beatrice Pinto, Owner, Expressions, Miramar, Panjim, Goa.

Hello Mr. Barbosa,
Cecil has sent me your mail, he must have told you that I enjoyed your book before I could tell anyway since you want my feedback this is what i have to say:

The Sixth Sense (Sottvi Rath) is a brilliant story written in lucid language where the author elaborates on the life of a village girl from Salcette and how she, because of her low caste, is ostracized and labeled. It is a very interesting and beautifully portrayed love story with lot of suspense and emotions. The author has done a thorough research and thus the book is very informative about Goan culture and history. Did the Goddess really predict the future right for the lass - or was it her destiny anyway?

Best regards,
Beatrice

4) Jerson Vaz, (Cuncolim) Saudi Arabia

Hello Silviano,
 
How are you doing? Well, I read your novel with 
great interest. It's a lovely story! Fact as well as
fiction! 
 
I would have requested you to give me some copies so I
could bring them with me here in Saudi Arabia. But, I was concerned about the rules and regulations of my host country.
They would have confiscated them at the customs and I
would have lost all the precious copies.
 
I wish you good luck in all your future endeavors.
Your novel will always be a treasure to me.  
 
Best regards,
 
Jerson Vaz
K.S.A. 

5) Review by Lourdino S. Rodrigues

Engineer, Producer, President GKT

1.     With the accuracy of an arrow on the dart board, Silviano has covered the customs and traditions of the Goans under Portuguese era and spiced the story which started in the hotel room in Goa and ended in Toronto.-----------------------Lourdino Rodrigues.

2. A "must read" for anyone who is a Goan or thinks s/he is a Goan.---------Lourdino Rodrigues

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6) Review by Vedita P. Pai

Goa, India.

From: Vedita prakash Pai
To: goarajbooks@yahoo.com
Subject: hi
Sent: April 1, 2005 7:58:34 AM

Hello Mr. Silviano Barbosa,

I am Vedita from Goa, India. I read your book THE SIXTH NIGHT, and I liked the novel so much that I felt it was necessary for me to congratulate you for your efforts and I hope that you write more such novels in the near future.

It’s my pleasure that you want to use my letter to promote your Novel, but it’s a fact that you are a great writer, who put in immense effort, and I really appreciate the detailed research that you have done for your novel.

All the best
Vedita

7) Review by Vivian D’Souza, Goa (U.S.A.)

Goanetter, American Citizen, Retired.

From :	Vivian D'Souza
Sent :	December 24, 2004 10:06:35 AM
To :	goache@hotmail.com
Subject :	Sixth night

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Silviano:
 
So glad that I purchased your book.  It is a delight
to read.  Clearly, you did your homework, with all the
details.  I was born in 1939, and though I never lived
in Goa until I came down 3 years ago to spend some of
my retirement years here, our family visited often,
and I can associate myself with all the vignettes in
your novel.  It takes me back to the good old days.  I
will treasure your book forever, and go back and read
it again and again.
Thank you for giving us such a wonderful resource.
 
 Merry Christmas,and do enjoy your stay in Goa !
 
  Vivian A. D'Souza
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8) Melwyn Fernandes, London, Ontario, Canada

KUDOS TO SILVIANO BARBOSA AND THE SIXTH NIGHT: Melvyn Fernandes
from Windsor Road in London writes, "I read the book ('Sixth
Night' by Silviano Barbosa). Linda Cardozo mirrors our community
our habits and behaviour and the way from generation to
generation like nomads we move from country to country. The
bravery of Silviano Barbosa in potraying this must be commended.
May I recommend this as required reading for all Goans worldwide
for a better understanding of ourselves?'