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chamu_yenigalla's review
4.0
This about three sisters Priya, Jamini and Deepa during the time when India is both happy(independence) and angry(partition riots). Priya is intelligent and ambitious, Jamini is deligent and virtuous, Deepa is beautiful and lovable. They all have their own secrets and wishes they long. But suddenly one day three sisters lost their father in one of those angry moments of India. This led to how the three sisters navigate their life and they struggle to fulfill their ambitions and how they survived when the whole Bengal is burning with Hindu muslim fury.
As always, Chitra Banerjee mesmerized me with her play of words. I'm happy sad angry and helpless with all the three sisters. Every one has their own shortcomings and their own advantages and their own way of love. I read about riots during the partition of the country many number of times and the atrocities happened during that period time but at that time it's always about the figures and number of death tolls. I felt bad at that and that's it. But when I'm reading this book and navigating their lifes and when they are also facing the troubles I read many number of times I empathized with them and many more such victims and thought about all the things over again in a different perspective.
My favourite from the book is Priya. As I said everyone has there own shortcomings but I loved her adamant character of wanting to be a doctor and the struggle she goes through. I loved how author described the spirit of a woman even though it faces countless torments.
As always, Chitra Banerjee mesmerized me with her play of words. I'm happy sad angry and helpless with all the three sisters. Every one has their own shortcomings and their own advantages and their own way of love. I read about riots during the partition of the country many number of times and the atrocities happened during that period time but at that time it's always about the figures and number of death tolls. I felt bad at that and that's it. But when I'm reading this book and navigating their lifes and when they are also facing the troubles I read many number of times I empathized with them and many more such victims and thought about all the things over again in a different perspective.
My favourite from the book is Priya. As I said everyone has there own shortcomings but I loved her adamant character of wanting to be a doctor and the struggle she goes through. I loved how author described the spirit of a woman even though it faces countless torments.
ninasbooks57's review against another edition
5.0
This is an amazing book! Grabs you from the beginning to the whole way through! I had never heard much about the partition of India, and the genocide that occurred – it is so sad. This book is full of losses and gains and the writer puts such emotion into each Situation, I loved it!
bacampbell's review against another edition
5.0
Uplifting, heartbreaking, and hard to put down!
This book, though a quick read, develops its characters so well. You love them, you hate them, you feel for them.
A must read!
This book, though a quick read, develops its characters so well. You love them, you hate them, you feel for them.
A must read!
mcnallyswife's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jessrock's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this novel about three sisters growing up outside of Calcutta in the 1940s as India moves toward independence. The novel alternates viewpoints between the three sisters but seems to focus mostly on Priya, the headstrong youngest daughter, who is intent on becoming a doctor like her father. Deepa, the oldest, falls in love with a Muslim man and hides the depth of her feelings from her Hindu family. Jamini, the middle daughter, is the dutiful one who takes care of her parents while secretly pining for Priya's childhood friend Amit. As the struggle toward independence turns bloodier, the sisters have to make hard choices that pull them apart - Priya to America for studies, Deepa to East Bengal for love, and Jamini aching that she's always the one left behind. I thought the story was very well told and loved seeing the sisters fight for their own desires but also for each other.
jcsimbok's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
This novel taught me a lot about India's partition. While I still do not fully understand the factors that led up to it, I learned more about the lives of people in India during this time and how different governments were created and dissolved. It reminds readers that freedom is not easily given. When a book teaches me about events I have little information on, I don't feel it is right to give it a flat rating. It is a good introduction to this history.
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
4.0
A gripping story of three sisters in Bengal during its partition into East Pakistan. I liked that they had three contrasting stories, each with their own unique personalities, ambitions and challenges. The backdrop of senseless violence was really sad to read through; it really evokes sympathy for all the lives lost from anger in the common man. I did have my own thoughts about each character's choices - but it definitely added to how the book got me hooked. Had me sitting hunched over this book on a Friday afternoon, so this book definitely scored some points for me
ecurry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5