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lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
5.0
This is an extraordinary novel, and one that I guarantee my review won’t do justice to. It takes place in 1975 India, during the time when the Prime Minister had declared a state of “Emergency,” which gave the government license to commit all sorts of human rights atrocities. Forced castrations, labor camps, demolition of slums without warning.... The main characters are two men from the lower caste, a student and a widow. Their stories weave together like the quilt that Dina ends up sewing. The language of this book is silky, and the story unhurried and beautiful, despite the ugly history and awful conditions our main characters endure. The grit, poverty, and inequality of India come alive here, and this book is by no means an easy read. But I highly recommend it. To turn away from ugly realities doesn’t make them any less real.
brenna_law's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
wilde_read's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A slow plodding read where I kept expecting something to happen. Eventually things happen, but it was an uphill climb to get there. The blurb compares it to a Dickens novel. That's really over-selling it! The ending seemed very rushed, compare to the build-up of the beginning. I listened to an audio version read by John Lee. He is incredibly talented in portraying the Indian accent. I would rather listen to a long book read by his voice, and have many more lined up for later.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Violence, Death, Hate crime, and Police brutality
dunnadam's review against another edition
5.0
What does one read next after having read the perfect book?
Like The Grapes of Wrath, Mistry here presents characters stripped down to the essence of their souls.
The version I read was 800 pages, I could not put it down.
The very meaning of life is in these pages. A book I will never forget.
Like The Grapes of Wrath, Mistry here presents characters stripped down to the essence of their souls.
The version I read was 800 pages, I could not put it down.
The very meaning of life is in these pages. A book I will never forget.
bstorey01's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
draymond's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
oceange's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, Violence, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, War, Xenophobia, Death, Torture, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Classism, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Misogyny, Murder, Car accident, Death of parent, Excrement, Racism, and Islamophobia
raspbewwies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a gutwrenching, rapid read. Set during the Emergency, a period of time in India quite similar to my native country of Sri Lanka, this book was at times relatable and informative. It was a masterclass in character development - I was able to sit and devour this in less than a week from a deep reading slump. It left me with despair, but also with hope, and indeed a fine balance between the two. I think this work will stay with me for time to come - I don’t think I can ever reread this, but I am ever envious of people picking this book up for the first time. Excellent.
mephistoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0