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On Balance
The first woman chief justice of a high court in India, the first woman to top the bar examinations in London 73 years old Leila Seth has led a full life. With candour and wit, she tells of her taking up law studies because this could be combined with caring for her husband and son, Intertwining family life with professional, the author describes the years after her father's premature death. It is an intricate, amusing and charming rendering of her life.
488 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
39 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Leila Seth
5Ìýbooks24ÌýfollowersBorn in Lucknow to an engineer of the railways in British India, Leila Seth joined the Bar in 1959. She was the first woman to top the London Bar exams in 1958. She handled a large number of Tax matters (Income Tax, Sales Tax, Excise and Customs), Civil, Company and Criminal cases as also Matrimonial suits and writ petitions. In 1978, she was appointed as the first woman judge on the Delhi High Court. In 1991, she was appointed the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh and was thus the first woman to become Chief Justice of a state High Court in India.
Justice Seth also served on the Law Commission of India till 2000 and was responsible for the amendments to the Hindu Succession Act which gave equal rights to daughters in joint family property.
She is the mother of author Vikram Seth. Her autobiography On Balance was published in 2003. She has also written a book on the Constitution of India for children.
Justice Seth also served on the Law Commission of India till 2000 and was responsible for the amendments to the Hindu Succession Act which gave equal rights to daughters in joint family property.
She is the mother of author Vikram Seth. Her autobiography On Balance was published in 2003. She has also written a book on the Constitution of India for children.
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June 23, 2019
A very appropriately titled autobiography of Leila Seth. The word 'Balance' is key to her life; it defines her life and the choices she made. For instance, how many people can say ( or will be able to say in the future) 'I have lived a happy married life for over sixty years.' In addition, I can safely say that this 'balance' characterizes how she has used the language and structured this book.
In general, Indians are emotional and sentimental people ( which I admire), but here we meet a woman who is judicious, candid, and admirable in almost everything she did. For instance, one of the reasons she wrote this book is for grandchildren. She thought that time is not on her side, and that the book might help the kids later on in life to know about who their grandparents were. Indeed a thoughtful gesture on her part.
Although I knew her as the author Vikram Seth's mother, I got totally drawn into her world. It is interesting to read about different places and people � her friends, colleagues, members of her extended family, parents. The book gives a good a sense of how people lived in the early 50s and 60s people in cities like Patna and Calcutta. There is nothing in the book that is overblown or exaggerated. Often when retired bureaucrats write their memoirs, they either justify or glorify themselves.
There are so many interesting anecdotes in the book. For instance, once she went to a police station to lodge a complaint, but the policeman ignored her until he got to know that she was a judge. A small incident, but it says a lot about what is rotten in our system. On a more personal level, I admire her life with her husband, and the sorts of thing they did and did not do. Once when people have power, it is very tempting to take shortcuts to rise higher in life).
I would say that it is also a courageous book. An Indian mother talks openly about the homosexuality of her son. This is indeed an act of courage. In India, such disclosures can boomerang. Clearly, she did this for the larger public. She used her position well to serve society in different ways. Usually, it tires me when I hear the rhetoric of good citizenry from famous people, but in her case, it all seems genuine, sanguine, and deeply-felt acts of love towards society.
Almost all reviewers celebrate her life story primarily because of the success and recognition her children achieved in myriad fields, especially her writer son � Vikram Seth. Even though I admire her, too, for raising a great family; I am a bit weary of hearing about their achievements. I guess I would have admired Vikram Seth as much, had he never won a Booker prize.
Success is wonderful, but it is something else that is even more valuable and vital than success. Leila Seth has that 'something' in her. She has left the legacy of that 'something' for her grandchildren as she has mentioned in the book, which to my mind is, perhaps, a metaphor for the future generation of Indians. The book can guide anyone who imagines and wishes to create a more reasonable world.
April 16, 2012
Some books march uninvited into the room tooting their own horn. They bellow loudly and rhetorically about their greatness while all you are trying to do is enjoy a horrendously sappy Hindi movie or search for that lost bookmark that you had stolen from a friend. In between the sounds of loud cymbal clashing, the book will boast that the New York Times called it "a real tour de force" or a "prophetic novel celebrating the triumph of righteous dissidence". If you stay adamant, the book will play dirty and remind you in an admonitory tone that it deals with that dreadful Holocaust or Pol Pot's Cambodia or some remote place in occupied Palestine and the injustices committed by the Israeli troops. So, if you are not interested in THAT, you must be a Very Bad Person.
Other books, meanwhile, tiptoe into the room. You don't even realise their presence until they gently murmur in your ear to please pass the popcorn. More often than not, such books wear strangely dull outfits. You know, the kind of clothes that some people wear hoping that they would not be noticed. No bright colours, shiny stars, cute unicorns or strange cover fonts for them. It's a bit like the 11-year old Harry Potter when he first joined school. Famous and very special but ridiculously modest and self-deprecating.
On Balance is the Harry-Potter-in-his-first-year-at-Hogwarts kind of book. It is not at all what I had expected it to be like. Two weeks ago, if someone had asked me to read a 500-page autobiography, I would have run away like a gazelle attacked at a watering hole. However, On Balance is much more that just a meandering autobiography. Any book that made me up stay up all night to read it (something that I hadn't done for the past couple of years) deserves a 5/5 rating, especially if it's non-fiction.
The first time I read about Leila Seth in some trivia book (there was the usual question about her being India's first woman Chief Justice of a state), my mind immediately squealed, "Ooooh! Vikram Seth's mother!" On the other hand, the first time I showed my father my signed copy of The Golden Gate, he looked at the author's name and said, "Isn't this man Justice Leila Seth's son?" Perhaps a certain generation will always think of Vikram Seth in those terms. After reading this book, I believe that so will I.
Leila Seth is not just the mother of one of the most brilliant writers of our times. Yeah, sure, she has a star kid but she also has a remarkable success story of her own - first woman judge of the Delhi High Court, first woman Chief Justice of a State, and the first woman to top the Bar examinations in London.
I mean, really wow. Leila Seth can really sneak up on you and scribble out a book that you cannot (or do not want to) put down. In a largely male-dominated profession (especially in her times), she held her own and refused to be typecast by not fighting only women's cases. Instead, she competed with her male colleagues and fought all kinds of cases right from criminal ones to those dealing with tax matters, constitutional law and litigation. The book also gives a very interesting account of the legal profession. It not only provides insights into the prevalent gender bias but also talks about the painfully slow-paced Indian courts, increasing corruption in judiciary, and the rampant favouritism in certain spheres.
Besides her career, Ms Seth talks about her family, the loss of a child, interesting travels, quirky habits, gardening, arbitration and law commission and so on. It is evident that taking care of a family and establishing a successful career must have been difficult for her, particularly in an age when working women were incredibly rare. (There is a hilarious anecdote about lots of people from rural Haryana on a trip to Delhi especially visiting the courtroom because they wanted to goggle at her, a female judge.) However, she managed not only to have a happy married life and raise three ridiculously talented children but also rose to one of the highest positions in her career.
I love the fact that she has compiled this book with wrenching honesty right from talking about the bisexuality of Vikram Seth to the implication of her husband on false charges, and her peacenik son, Shantum's experiments with magic mushrooms and activism as well as his short stay in jail. The book is also peppered with many interesting vignettes. There is the funny but understandable concern of a mother whose colleagues at the Delhi High Court would badger her about her children "not settling down", and the hilarious dismissal of Vikram Seth by their family driver as someone who was "reading and writing and sleeping and eating and living off his parents." And somehow, the insane amount of intelligence and the wonderfully unconventional life paths of the Seth siblings forcefully remind me of Salinger's Glass family.
This is the kind of rare autobiography that you would want to read again. I do not say that it is a great masterpiece of literature. Rather, it is about a life well-lived and it is always good to read about something like that, isn't it?
Other books, meanwhile, tiptoe into the room. You don't even realise their presence until they gently murmur in your ear to please pass the popcorn. More often than not, such books wear strangely dull outfits. You know, the kind of clothes that some people wear hoping that they would not be noticed. No bright colours, shiny stars, cute unicorns or strange cover fonts for them. It's a bit like the 11-year old Harry Potter when he first joined school. Famous and very special but ridiculously modest and self-deprecating.
On Balance is the Harry-Potter-in-his-first-year-at-Hogwarts kind of book. It is not at all what I had expected it to be like. Two weeks ago, if someone had asked me to read a 500-page autobiography, I would have run away like a gazelle attacked at a watering hole. However, On Balance is much more that just a meandering autobiography. Any book that made me up stay up all night to read it (something that I hadn't done for the past couple of years) deserves a 5/5 rating, especially if it's non-fiction.
The first time I read about Leila Seth in some trivia book (there was the usual question about her being India's first woman Chief Justice of a state), my mind immediately squealed, "Ooooh! Vikram Seth's mother!" On the other hand, the first time I showed my father my signed copy of The Golden Gate, he looked at the author's name and said, "Isn't this man Justice Leila Seth's son?" Perhaps a certain generation will always think of Vikram Seth in those terms. After reading this book, I believe that so will I.
Leila Seth is not just the mother of one of the most brilliant writers of our times. Yeah, sure, she has a star kid but she also has a remarkable success story of her own - first woman judge of the Delhi High Court, first woman Chief Justice of a State, and the first woman to top the Bar examinations in London.
I mean, really wow. Leila Seth can really sneak up on you and scribble out a book that you cannot (or do not want to) put down. In a largely male-dominated profession (especially in her times), she held her own and refused to be typecast by not fighting only women's cases. Instead, she competed with her male colleagues and fought all kinds of cases right from criminal ones to those dealing with tax matters, constitutional law and litigation. The book also gives a very interesting account of the legal profession. It not only provides insights into the prevalent gender bias but also talks about the painfully slow-paced Indian courts, increasing corruption in judiciary, and the rampant favouritism in certain spheres.
Besides her career, Ms Seth talks about her family, the loss of a child, interesting travels, quirky habits, gardening, arbitration and law commission and so on. It is evident that taking care of a family and establishing a successful career must have been difficult for her, particularly in an age when working women were incredibly rare. (There is a hilarious anecdote about lots of people from rural Haryana on a trip to Delhi especially visiting the courtroom because they wanted to goggle at her, a female judge.) However, she managed not only to have a happy married life and raise three ridiculously talented children but also rose to one of the highest positions in her career.
I love the fact that she has compiled this book with wrenching honesty right from talking about the bisexuality of Vikram Seth to the implication of her husband on false charges, and her peacenik son, Shantum's experiments with magic mushrooms and activism as well as his short stay in jail. The book is also peppered with many interesting vignettes. There is the funny but understandable concern of a mother whose colleagues at the Delhi High Court would badger her about her children "not settling down", and the hilarious dismissal of Vikram Seth by their family driver as someone who was "reading and writing and sleeping and eating and living off his parents." And somehow, the insane amount of intelligence and the wonderfully unconventional life paths of the Seth siblings forcefully remind me of Salinger's Glass family.
This is the kind of rare autobiography that you would want to read again. I do not say that it is a great masterpiece of literature. Rather, it is about a life well-lived and it is always good to read about something like that, isn't it?
February 20, 2015
When I told my Mum that anyone who does not read this book would be a fool of first waters, her first question was,
"How is it even possible for a biography to be that good?"
Yes, more often, it is not possible for a biography to be that good. In fact, I am not a fan of the genre at all but maybe, there is something about the Seths that makes them the best biographers/memoir-writers in the world. Maybe they are just born that way!
Ok! Enough gushing-over the Seth family. Coming to the book and why you should read it
a) If you want to know how to be successful, read 'On Balance.'
b) If you want to know more about post-Independent India, read 'On Balance.'
c) To know how to have a successful family life, read 'On Balance.'
d)To know how to raise children, read 'On Balance.'
Above all, if you want to know how to write the story of your life so that it can teach others something new, something different, read 'On Balance.'
In other words, read it anyway. You'd be missing on something if you don't!
Leila Seth proves that she is the mother of Vikram Seth, in every sense of the word. She has the his poetic ease and his brilliance or rather, he has hers.
With her exceptionally brilliant autobiography, she shows that it doesn't take a miracle to be a successful career-woman along with being a successful homemaker. She is both a feminist and a supporter of family life. She makes it clear that you can be a feminist without being a male-basher, without hating men or patriarchy, that it's all about equality and balance.
"How is it even possible for a biography to be that good?"
Yes, more often, it is not possible for a biography to be that good. In fact, I am not a fan of the genre at all but maybe, there is something about the Seths that makes them the best biographers/memoir-writers in the world. Maybe they are just born that way!
Ok! Enough gushing-over the Seth family. Coming to the book and why you should read it
a) If you want to know how to be successful, read 'On Balance.'
b) If you want to know more about post-Independent India, read 'On Balance.'
c) To know how to have a successful family life, read 'On Balance.'
d)To know how to raise children, read 'On Balance.'
Above all, if you want to know how to write the story of your life so that it can teach others something new, something different, read 'On Balance.'
In other words, read it anyway. You'd be missing on something if you don't!
Leila Seth proves that she is the mother of Vikram Seth, in every sense of the word. She has the his poetic ease and his brilliance or rather, he has hers.
With her exceptionally brilliant autobiography, she shows that it doesn't take a miracle to be a successful career-woman along with being a successful homemaker. She is both a feminist and a supporter of family life. She makes it clear that you can be a feminist without being a male-basher, without hating men or patriarchy, that it's all about equality and balance.
May 16, 2018
"It is perhaps as difficult to write a good life as to live one" -- Lytton Strachey
The first female chief justice of a high court in India. The first woman to top the bar exams in London. These are not the achievements of Leila Setha but are only placeholders for a full life, rich with trials and celebration from both family and the legal profession. As an autobiography, On Balance , is true to its name. The narration is detailed without being wordy, self-perceptive without a hint of narcissism and introspective without compromising its confidence. With equal parts drawn from her family and professional lives, this book stands up amongst the crowded field of legal autobiographies due to its sensitivity, warmth and grace.
The book charts Leila Seth's life chronologically, though towards the end some portions are arranged thematically. It provides an insight into her schooling, parental bonds and a marital life that witnesses an equal partnership between spouses. She is proud of her children but not oblivious to their faults, as a parent she illustrates the difficulty but also the joy of being a mother. This book is not about Vikram Seth or how he wrote his award-winning books, but about a parent who provided a firm foundation for his imagination and works to gain flight.
A few weeks ago while hearing arguments in the Supreme Court, a female lawyer, a few years younger than me and someone from whose intellect and labour I benefit from often pointed out the unique perceptions felt by a person who continuously faces discrimination. As men, men who may be progressive, men who may understand the terrible stains of misogyny and may even act and ally to stem it, such perception will forever be derivative. When she pointed out discrimination, not with visible markers such as the number of judges on the bench, or the senior counsel invariably being men, but the expectations all women have in a woman who argues in court. Such a woman carries the hope, aspirations and the pressure of performance. A duty to excel, a duty to other women. As she said, "each time a woman argues in court, I look at her and pray, 'please, do not fuck up'".
For all these reasons Leila Seth's book is a serious text worthy of a wide readership, even if it exudes a certain sense of destiny of her mission. Not only as a woman who balanced her home and her law practice, or parented three children, had a distinguished career as a high court judge -- but how she went beyond balance, to attain excellence. On Balance is refreshing, it is shorn of tragedy or aggression. It is not dull or self-congratulatory. There is quiet courage, a sensibility to counter discrimination through labour and action. It is bittersweet. Just like mango chutney made by your favourite aunt.
The first female chief justice of a high court in India. The first woman to top the bar exams in London. These are not the achievements of Leila Setha but are only placeholders for a full life, rich with trials and celebration from both family and the legal profession. As an autobiography, On Balance , is true to its name. The narration is detailed without being wordy, self-perceptive without a hint of narcissism and introspective without compromising its confidence. With equal parts drawn from her family and professional lives, this book stands up amongst the crowded field of legal autobiographies due to its sensitivity, warmth and grace.
The book charts Leila Seth's life chronologically, though towards the end some portions are arranged thematically. It provides an insight into her schooling, parental bonds and a marital life that witnesses an equal partnership between spouses. She is proud of her children but not oblivious to their faults, as a parent she illustrates the difficulty but also the joy of being a mother. This book is not about Vikram Seth or how he wrote his award-winning books, but about a parent who provided a firm foundation for his imagination and works to gain flight.
A few weeks ago while hearing arguments in the Supreme Court, a female lawyer, a few years younger than me and someone from whose intellect and labour I benefit from often pointed out the unique perceptions felt by a person who continuously faces discrimination. As men, men who may be progressive, men who may understand the terrible stains of misogyny and may even act and ally to stem it, such perception will forever be derivative. When she pointed out discrimination, not with visible markers such as the number of judges on the bench, or the senior counsel invariably being men, but the expectations all women have in a woman who argues in court. Such a woman carries the hope, aspirations and the pressure of performance. A duty to excel, a duty to other women. As she said, "each time a woman argues in court, I look at her and pray, 'please, do not fuck up'".
For all these reasons Leila Seth's book is a serious text worthy of a wide readership, even if it exudes a certain sense of destiny of her mission. Not only as a woman who balanced her home and her law practice, or parented three children, had a distinguished career as a high court judge -- but how she went beyond balance, to attain excellence. On Balance is refreshing, it is shorn of tragedy or aggression. It is not dull or self-congratulatory. There is quiet courage, a sensibility to counter discrimination through labour and action. It is bittersweet. Just like mango chutney made by your favourite aunt.
December 8, 2012
This brilliant autobiography fully deserves all the praise it's got. Leila Seth's claim to fame is being the first woman Chief Justice of an Indian state (Himachal Pradesh). She topped her Bar exams at London (she was the fist woman to do that, too). Here's a small vignette from the book:
Leila had just been appointed a Judge in the Delhi High Court (she was their first woman judge). There was a lot of discussion on how to address her in court. Should it 'My Lady' or the usual 'My Lord'? She was once judging a case along with a male judge. She asked a question of a lawyer and he replied, beginning, 'My Lord...'. The male judge interrupted, saying that the lawyer should address her as 'My Lady....'. The lawyer, confused and uncomfortable, turned to the male judge and responded to him as 'My Lord...' and answered the question as though it had sprung from him.
I hope that made you laugh. Not all of the book, will, though. The heartbreaking chapter on Ira is just very, very sad. But the book is lovely. I loved her descriptions of her gardens. Please read this book. Right away.
Leila had just been appointed a Judge in the Delhi High Court (she was their first woman judge). There was a lot of discussion on how to address her in court. Should it 'My Lady' or the usual 'My Lord'? She was once judging a case along with a male judge. She asked a question of a lawyer and he replied, beginning, 'My Lord...'. The male judge interrupted, saying that the lawyer should address her as 'My Lady....'. The lawyer, confused and uncomfortable, turned to the male judge and responded to him as 'My Lord...' and answered the question as though it had sprung from him.
I hope that made you laugh. Not all of the book, will, though. The heartbreaking chapter on Ira is just very, very sad. But the book is lovely. I loved her descriptions of her gardens. Please read this book. Right away.
April 11, 2021
More such autobiographies I read, I realise that this is the only genre in non fiction which I enjoy reading.
Thoroughly enjoyed and loved reading this one. As the title is, Seth writes her heart out regarding everything in her life and how she balanced it. From being a lawyer then a chief justice, to extensive family relations and issues, changing houses, managing three kids, her early struggle, the book has it all.
The book presents an intricate, charming, heart warming portrait of her life. Plus its in a very lucid, free flowing manner which makes it even more enjoyable!
My favourites parts were definitely about her early years, then in delhi, Shimla and of course the parts about Vikram Seth. Loved reading about his early years and then how he started writing and so on, and has convinced me to read everything by him. Also,I discovered a suitable boy has a lot of references from his own life and specifically his mother and father’s.
Thoroughly enjoyed and loved reading this one. As the title is, Seth writes her heart out regarding everything in her life and how she balanced it. From being a lawyer then a chief justice, to extensive family relations and issues, changing houses, managing three kids, her early struggle, the book has it all.
The book presents an intricate, charming, heart warming portrait of her life. Plus its in a very lucid, free flowing manner which makes it even more enjoyable!
My favourites parts were definitely about her early years, then in delhi, Shimla and of course the parts about Vikram Seth. Loved reading about his early years and then how he started writing and so on, and has convinced me to read everything by him. Also,I discovered a suitable boy has a lot of references from his own life and specifically his mother and father’s.
March 21, 2023
A legend far bigger than her famous son and his muse for his famous novel "A suitable boy", Mrs Leila Seth
was the first woman judge of a High Court and the first women to be Chief Justice of a state. Her most notable work for the future of the country as a member of the 15th Law Commission of India is the right of daughters to receive an inheritance.
Life is tough, even for the luckiest among us. But behind her many accomplishments and struggles, she shows us that the secret to her well lived life has been her peaceful marriage to an earnest man, their hardworking, simple life, surrounded by good people. Life isn't easy, but with the right company, everything can be overcome.
She was unmarried for a long time as her mother was unable to provide dowry. While she wasn't keen on her husband, a Bata employee, as a suitor at first, eventually she agreed.
A candid, intimate reflection of a life well lived by a woman of her times- her struggle of losing her father at a young age, homelessness and struggle to find a husband without dowry, and completing a legal degree to pass time while her husband went to work all day when she carried her second son, the first woman to top the London bar exam, being a surrogate mother for her childless relative, returning to India for the valuable first ever Indian passport.
There are many beautiful lessons in this book which I hope to carry for years to come.
was the first woman judge of a High Court and the first women to be Chief Justice of a state. Her most notable work for the future of the country as a member of the 15th Law Commission of India is the right of daughters to receive an inheritance.
Life is tough, even for the luckiest among us. But behind her many accomplishments and struggles, she shows us that the secret to her well lived life has been her peaceful marriage to an earnest man, their hardworking, simple life, surrounded by good people. Life isn't easy, but with the right company, everything can be overcome.
She was unmarried for a long time as her mother was unable to provide dowry. While she wasn't keen on her husband, a Bata employee, as a suitor at first, eventually she agreed.
A candid, intimate reflection of a life well lived by a woman of her times- her struggle of losing her father at a young age, homelessness and struggle to find a husband without dowry, and completing a legal degree to pass time while her husband went to work all day when she carried her second son, the first woman to top the London bar exam, being a surrogate mother for her childless relative, returning to India for the valuable first ever Indian passport.
There are many beautiful lessons in this book which I hope to carry for years to come.
April 27, 2020
Some women blaze the trail for the future generations.
Leila Seth's life has been a true inspiration and she serves as the finest example of a woman who made her mark in history despite all odds.
A truly delightful read.
Leila Seth's life has been a true inspiration and she serves as the finest example of a woman who made her mark in history despite all odds.
A truly delightful read.
November 10, 2021
We are what we are because of the women who opened doors and left them ajar for us. Leila Seth is one such woman. I knew she had been a practicing lawyer, the first female judge to be appointed to the Delhi High Court judge and the first woman to be the Chief Justice of a High Court. I also knew her as a woman who stood up for LGBTQ rights, and who wrote the a beautiful book for children introducing them to the Constitution. But I was curious to know the lady behind those accomplishments, which is why I picked up the book. And I was delighted.
In a lot of ways, Leila Seth reminds me of so many women of her generation that I know. Women like my mother and grandmother who kept perfect homes. Women like my grandmother who ran households which straddled joint family sensibilities with nuclear family constraints. Women who took the hard decision to send their children to boarding school so the studies would not be affected.
What makes Leila Seth extra special was that she did all of that and also was extremely successful professionally. How she landed up studying and practicing law seems almost serendipitous, but once there, it was clearly her grit and knowledge that got her to scale the professional peaks that she did. Like many other women of her (and subsequent) generations, she followed her husband around, till they (like many other couples) took the decision to settle in a city of their choice.
Reading the book from the prism of today, you notice the emotional burden she carried throughout her life- there is even one passage where she speaks almost wistfully of how when she is posted in Simla, for the first time ever she was living for herself. However, you have to admire her for how much she was able to accomplish, and how she almost underplays her role.
I particularly loved her description of their life in Darjeeling, the account of her years in Calcutta and her pen portrait of her garden, because they all brought back so many of my own memories.
Leila Seth is also the mother of Vikram Seth, and the protagonist of 'A Suitable Boy' is loosely based on her. The man Latha marries in the book is based on Premo Seth- teading the book, you understand exactly why he and only he was the "Suitable Boy".
If you like a well written, slightly self deprecating autobiography, or you are a woman who wants to know more about the women who helped pave the way for us today, read the book.
In a lot of ways, Leila Seth reminds me of so many women of her generation that I know. Women like my mother and grandmother who kept perfect homes. Women like my grandmother who ran households which straddled joint family sensibilities with nuclear family constraints. Women who took the hard decision to send their children to boarding school so the studies would not be affected.
What makes Leila Seth extra special was that she did all of that and also was extremely successful professionally. How she landed up studying and practicing law seems almost serendipitous, but once there, it was clearly her grit and knowledge that got her to scale the professional peaks that she did. Like many other women of her (and subsequent) generations, she followed her husband around, till they (like many other couples) took the decision to settle in a city of their choice.
Reading the book from the prism of today, you notice the emotional burden she carried throughout her life- there is even one passage where she speaks almost wistfully of how when she is posted in Simla, for the first time ever she was living for herself. However, you have to admire her for how much she was able to accomplish, and how she almost underplays her role.
I particularly loved her description of their life in Darjeeling, the account of her years in Calcutta and her pen portrait of her garden, because they all brought back so many of my own memories.
Leila Seth is also the mother of Vikram Seth, and the protagonist of 'A Suitable Boy' is loosely based on her. The man Latha marries in the book is based on Premo Seth- teading the book, you understand exactly why he and only he was the "Suitable Boy".
If you like a well written, slightly self deprecating autobiography, or you are a woman who wants to know more about the women who helped pave the way for us today, read the book.
March 30, 2023
On Balance Leila Seth
Rating 3.75/5
I had this book on my 'To Be Read' list since some time. There were couple of reasons, most notably was that, I wanted to know more about Vikram Seth, his childhood days etc. Apart from this Ms Seth herself was a known personality with many achievements. I wished to know more about her too.
Since Ms Seth was from an era when I wasn't born, India not gotten independence or rather slowly on the way to gaining freedom, an insight into the country's economics and current affairs, I thought, would be very much on offer. (turned out to be from a judicial standpoint or a working man's standpoint if I have not misread or misjudged it, apologies if so).
My forte, to be honest, is reading simple English writing and this book excels at it. The language is simple, precise and to the point. After doing circles on thinking how to write a review for this book, I have come to a conclusion that, its better I categorize the contents of the book into sections or groups many of which are as below. (this I felt sets the expectation of reader in a more easy way).
1. Ms Seth's childhood, schooling and college.
2. Ms Seth's law practice across Calcutta, Patna, Delhi, Shimla.
3. Ms Seth's stay and about the houses, their gardens, flowers across Darjeeling, London, Batanagar, Patna, Calcutta, Delhi, Shimla, Noida.
4. Ms Seth's travel across India and across America, Europe (Italy, Swiss, England...)
5. Current state of affairs and economics of the country when Ms Seth was student/lawyer/judge/when she retired.
6. Judiciary, people involved - names of lawyers, judges who were practicing, various courts and their locations.
7. Beaureacracy - how it affected her personal life as well as professional life.
8. Personal lives of Mr and Ms Seth, kids growing up, their education, abroad stay and study of both Vikram and Shantum.
9. Decisions which Ms Seth took as a lawyer, judge or homemaker.
I enjoyed most parts of the book that dealt with personal lives or side of Seth's. But when it came to judiciary (on an approx 200 pages), I can safely say, I had to pass on through it pretty quickly without much contemplation. I find it difficult to remember name and places thing, and here you have names of lawyers, judges their locations of practice and few cases here and there. It was a bit tough for me, so I chose to read through it. Regarding current affairs of the country - there is mention of Emergency, 1984 riots, demolition drive of 1992, 2002 riots. I, again read these quickly as I wasn't interested in these.
Ms Seth has written about few incidents which needed a person to be super tough. CBI enquiry against Mr Seth, having another kid for her brother and sister in law. It just proves one thing Ms Seth was indeed a super woman, brave, composed and grounded.
As with every book, I did have some more things which I wanted to know about, just to get through with my curiosity, but didn't happen. I shall write about them too.
Ms Seth - has mentioned she loved English literature. But there isn't much mention of books which she read while studying or working. Only one which I remember was by Victor Hugo. One more thing which I was interested to know was the celebration of festivals. I remember reading about Holi and one more, but India being a land of festivals, I suppose, I was expecting a bit more elaborate information on other festivals too. Going by the name On Balance, I was expecting a few tips from Ms Seth on how to balance personal and professional life. I couldn't find them directly, may be I have to infer them through the writings. But then again, my mind just asks and expects random things out of every book.
Cheers,
Rating 3.75/5
I had this book on my 'To Be Read' list since some time. There were couple of reasons, most notably was that, I wanted to know more about Vikram Seth, his childhood days etc. Apart from this Ms Seth herself was a known personality with many achievements. I wished to know more about her too.
Since Ms Seth was from an era when I wasn't born, India not gotten independence or rather slowly on the way to gaining freedom, an insight into the country's economics and current affairs, I thought, would be very much on offer. (turned out to be from a judicial standpoint or a working man's standpoint if I have not misread or misjudged it, apologies if so).
My forte, to be honest, is reading simple English writing and this book excels at it. The language is simple, precise and to the point. After doing circles on thinking how to write a review for this book, I have come to a conclusion that, its better I categorize the contents of the book into sections or groups many of which are as below. (this I felt sets the expectation of reader in a more easy way).
1. Ms Seth's childhood, schooling and college.
2. Ms Seth's law practice across Calcutta, Patna, Delhi, Shimla.
3. Ms Seth's stay and about the houses, their gardens, flowers across Darjeeling, London, Batanagar, Patna, Calcutta, Delhi, Shimla, Noida.
4. Ms Seth's travel across India and across America, Europe (Italy, Swiss, England...)
5. Current state of affairs and economics of the country when Ms Seth was student/lawyer/judge/when she retired.
6. Judiciary, people involved - names of lawyers, judges who were practicing, various courts and their locations.
7. Beaureacracy - how it affected her personal life as well as professional life.
8. Personal lives of Mr and Ms Seth, kids growing up, their education, abroad stay and study of both Vikram and Shantum.
9. Decisions which Ms Seth took as a lawyer, judge or homemaker.
I enjoyed most parts of the book that dealt with personal lives or side of Seth's. But when it came to judiciary (on an approx 200 pages), I can safely say, I had to pass on through it pretty quickly without much contemplation. I find it difficult to remember name and places thing, and here you have names of lawyers, judges their locations of practice and few cases here and there. It was a bit tough for me, so I chose to read through it. Regarding current affairs of the country - there is mention of Emergency, 1984 riots, demolition drive of 1992, 2002 riots. I, again read these quickly as I wasn't interested in these.
Ms Seth has written about few incidents which needed a person to be super tough. CBI enquiry against Mr Seth, having another kid for her brother and sister in law. It just proves one thing Ms Seth was indeed a super woman, brave, composed and grounded.
As with every book, I did have some more things which I wanted to know about, just to get through with my curiosity, but didn't happen. I shall write about them too.
Ms Seth - has mentioned she loved English literature. But there isn't much mention of books which she read while studying or working. Only one which I remember was by Victor Hugo. One more thing which I was interested to know was the celebration of festivals. I remember reading about Holi and one more, but India being a land of festivals, I suppose, I was expecting a bit more elaborate information on other festivals too. Going by the name On Balance, I was expecting a few tips from Ms Seth on how to balance personal and professional life. I couldn't find them directly, may be I have to infer them through the writings. But then again, my mind just asks and expects random things out of every book.
Cheers,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2020
I have been meaning to read this book for years and once I started I read it in a day, because it's that compelling. Seth was the first female Chief Justice in India and one of the most significant legal figures it has ever had; she also served on the Law Commission and was one of the first woman to be admitted to the Bar in Bihar and Calcutta. She writes about all of that, and also her family life and background, with low-key wit and passion. I love many, many many of the anecdotes but among my favourites is her story about going to fetch her exam results from the Times office in the mid-1950s in London, having sat for her Bar finals. An Indian solicitor friend jumped on her car bonnet on the way. She thought that he had failed again and was trying to commit suicide by way of her car; what had actually happened was he had failed again, but was so excited that she had come first of everyone who took the exam that year that he needed to tell her immediately (!) She also takes the opportunity to tell many embarrassing stories about her son Vikram, who as well as being a famous novelist also edited this book, and notes one detail that really struck me. As Chief Justice of Himachal she lived away from her family for a while, and had an experience that very few women ever do: a household run solely for her benefit. She was entitled to a household staff, and she was cooked for and cleaned for and had the driver come for her. When her son arrived laden with revisions for A Suitable Boy, the household started to revolve around him, as is the way of how men are treated in society. It's an interesting observation from a woman who was probably one of the most powerful women in India at the time. This is a really good book, and I'm very glad I read it.
January 22, 2024
A wonderfully written account of a life well-lived. Of a woman who blazed a trail that we can all attempt to follow.
Memoirs need to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and ability to engage the reader... This one is a success on both counts. It's everything I wanted to know from a life such as this, covering her upbringing, the social setting, the key political events of that time and their impact on her life & career, the travails of a trailing spouse building an illustrious career, navigating tough choices in bringing up children, and the knotty issues of being a woman in the workplace. Her views are progressive for someone of that generation and her staying power despite immense hurdles is simply amazing.
One doesn't always get to actively choose one's vocation. Leila Seth's life is a lesson on how to make it in a somewhat accidental vocation through sheer grit and planning.
Highly recommend.
Memoirs need to strike a balance between comprehensiveness and ability to engage the reader... This one is a success on both counts. It's everything I wanted to know from a life such as this, covering her upbringing, the social setting, the key political events of that time and their impact on her life & career, the travails of a trailing spouse building an illustrious career, navigating tough choices in bringing up children, and the knotty issues of being a woman in the workplace. Her views are progressive for someone of that generation and her staying power despite immense hurdles is simply amazing.
One doesn't always get to actively choose one's vocation. Leila Seth's life is a lesson on how to make it in a somewhat accidental vocation through sheer grit and planning.
Highly recommend.
November 13, 2024
It's by far one of the most candid autobiographies I have read. It's so genuine that at times you feel it wasn't written for public consumption but as a personal diary.
It kept reminding me of my conversations with my grandfather over evening cuppa. Everything was matter of fact. That era, the expectations, the way the society functioned and so much more. It does feel like someone is talking you through those years.
It's my belief that when you are in a position of influence and power it is in some way your moral duty to speak out for the marginalized and to use your position to impact the society positively.
In that context I was disappointed by Karan johar's autobiography The unsuitable boy where he skirted the issue despite being one of the most celebrated homosexual names in the Indian film industry. In contrast, quietly but courageously, Leila seth mentions the bisexuality of Vikram Seth. She basically normalises everything in her book- bisexuality, monkhood, late marriages, childless marriage, living with a corruption investigation, being treated as a spectacle, moving cities for your spouse, having your spouse move cities for you, losing your sense of purpose post retirement , changing family dynamics within thr immediate and the extended family. But nothing was exaggerated or over the top. It was just what is was and said as it is.
Any book that inspires you to be a better person is a keeper and worth its weight in gold. This one, is never leaving my home or my heart.
It kept reminding me of my conversations with my grandfather over evening cuppa. Everything was matter of fact. That era, the expectations, the way the society functioned and so much more. It does feel like someone is talking you through those years.
It's my belief that when you are in a position of influence and power it is in some way your moral duty to speak out for the marginalized and to use your position to impact the society positively.
In that context I was disappointed by Karan johar's autobiography The unsuitable boy where he skirted the issue despite being one of the most celebrated homosexual names in the Indian film industry. In contrast, quietly but courageously, Leila seth mentions the bisexuality of Vikram Seth. She basically normalises everything in her book- bisexuality, monkhood, late marriages, childless marriage, living with a corruption investigation, being treated as a spectacle, moving cities for your spouse, having your spouse move cities for you, losing your sense of purpose post retirement , changing family dynamics within thr immediate and the extended family. But nothing was exaggerated or over the top. It was just what is was and said as it is.
Any book that inspires you to be a better person is a keeper and worth its weight in gold. This one, is never leaving my home or my heart.
January 10, 2015
This book is not about Vikram Seth or his homosexuality. If you want to know more about that, it's not in this book. This autobiography is about Leila Seth's life. Her family, her career, her marriage , 73 years of her lifetime. The book is written in easy, clear prose and you learn of this elegant woman, her sensibilities, her morality & how she shaped her life & managed its challenges. I was particularly moved by her revelation of having a child simply to hand over to her brother & wife who desired one after losing three of their own. It takes courage, pure affection & selflessness to do that for anyone, even your own brother. The way she describes her relationships is the triumph of her life. The way she is with her parents, siblings, husband & children is spellbinding in its authenticity & purity. Her description of her career.. Made me snigger mostly. It's India, she's an educated woman, only the obvious prejudices & hypocrisies can be expected. Yet the way she behaves in all the scenarios she's put in teaches you what it takes to be a person of integrity. She inspires you to be positive & be the best version of yourself. A woman who deserves a lot of respect & admiration.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
Liela Seth is Vikram Seth's Mother. And her exquisite writing is why we gave the genes sorted. The literary appeal of the text, the compelling absolute best prose and storytelling are top notch. Only a refined story teller could write so effortlessly.
Her marriage, the fire to study law against all odds, her English influenced upbringing. Her love for reading, for justicing and marking history were uncommon and full of Vivacity. I loved the book to pieces. Her story is of bravery, resilience, open mindedness and acceptance of circumstances. Her innate qualities are distinguished by her personality which offers so kick motivation. She is one of the few women I consider as good as God. It's only because of this book. It showed me tremendous life lessons efficiently. It will never leave me. Her words will be simply ultimate and as close to my heart as fairness would deem fit.
Her marriage, the fire to study law against all odds, her English influenced upbringing. Her love for reading, for justicing and marking history were uncommon and full of Vivacity. I loved the book to pieces. Her story is of bravery, resilience, open mindedness and acceptance of circumstances. Her innate qualities are distinguished by her personality which offers so kick motivation. She is one of the few women I consider as good as God. It's only because of this book. It showed me tremendous life lessons efficiently. It will never leave me. Her words will be simply ultimate and as close to my heart as fairness would deem fit.
April 7, 2016
This book is a treat not only for law students but for aspiring, ambitious women of our nation. Ex-Chief Justice Leila Seth has been an Outlier all her life-from being the first woman topper in law from Oxford way back in 1952, the first woman Judge of the Delhi High Court to being the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court in India. She has even openly acknowledged the bisexual orientation of her son thereby creating a precedent for candor exhibited by a celebrity and a new platform for the common man to emulate.
Read
February 26, 2017I don't know how 'correct' or logical it is to review or rate an autobiography. In any case, I make no attempt to do so. On Balance has been a wonderful read; equal parts witty, amusing and honest. Though if I have to point out one thing, it would be the book's frequent (and unnecessary, if I may) nonlinear narratives disrupting an otherwise chronological organization of events.
Oh, and if you're reading this, do check out Leila Seth's TEDx talk on women and the law of inheritance. Unrelated, but I liked it.
Oh, and if you're reading this, do check out Leila Seth's TEDx talk on women and the law of inheritance. Unrelated, but I liked it.
May 4, 2021
A really fantastic read not just because she was the first High Court women judge, also not because she was the mother of a very famous author.....because she is a fantastic writer. She was balancing her life between so many things is very much evident from the fact that she still had the letters written by her children from the hostel as school kids.......she has a fantastic memory and was a highly efficient person. Not belonging to any group she gives vivid details of the politics of various Courts. A really fantastic read.
August 12, 2017
Interesting, light read - but not an inspirational / motivating life to know about. If you are looking for insight here on Leila Seth's way into the first Chief Justice of India - you will be disappointed. The writing mostly consists of her personal domestic life, her travels, her networks. I was expecting her to talk about Indian judicial system, some insights on reforms required - there was none of it.
November 30, 2023
When I first picked up this book, Leila Seth's only credential for me was her role as Vikram Seth's mother. By the time, I reached halfway in the book, I found myself regretting not having known about her own remarkable achievements and reputation. Only a mother with such remarkable clarity of thoughts and crystal clear writing style could have raised a son to become a great author like Vikram Seth. I was drawn into her world from the get go- her upbringing, childhood, college struggles, steady professional growth, extraordinary children, a 59+ year marriage and her involvement in social initiatives. She has given equal attention to each section in her autobiography and that's why it is aptly titled 'On Balance'. She has used this phrase quite often in the book, starting a sentence with 'On Balance', using it as a connective adverb, and reinforcing the book title and in turn her identity at repeated intervals.
A life so rich that 450+ pages don’t seem enough, I would have happily read on the next 400. She began writing this book in her 70's and the writing style reflects her wisdom. She presents facts and anecdotes with a sense of detachment, as if she has already extracted the lessons from the incidents and prefers not to dwell on the past. The narrative is so easy going, immersed with short sentences and excellent vocabulary. It never feels like she wrote the book to please the audience - she is brutally honest, naming politicians, bureaucrats ,writers, colleagues, artists and common citizens- sharing her version of stories that shaped her extraordinary life. There is a section where she talks about the emergency phase in India (1975-1977) and it was interesting to read about one woman's power play (Indira Gandhi's) from other's viewpoint (Seth's).
The honesty resonates when she talks about her work and family. She covers her work extensively, and deservedly so. She was the first women chief justice of a state high court in India- this when her family had no background in law or any political affiliations (a common practice in India at that time). She had a comfortable lifestyle at home, her husband was at a good managerial position where as her starting position as a junior advocate was far from lucrative. But case or no case, she showed up to the courts every day. In a field dominated by males, where she had to raise her voice for basic facilities like a workplace washroom, she marched on slowly and steadily. Her family - husband and 3 children have been her support system and corrected her whenever necessary. She wasn't an overly sensitive mother hovering over her children's every step- she allowed them the time and space to grow at their own pace. All 3 of them are now the masters in their chosen fields - Vikram Seth, an award winning author, Shantum Seth, an ordained Buddhist master and Aradhana Seth- a renowned art director in India and Hollywood.
In an era where females were often confined to being home makers and raising family, Leila Seth's life is nothing short of a miracle and a timeless inspiration for women. I hope more women of her stature share their stories with the world helping restore balance to the universe's scales, which have long been tipped heavily in favor of men.
A life so rich that 450+ pages don’t seem enough, I would have happily read on the next 400. She began writing this book in her 70's and the writing style reflects her wisdom. She presents facts and anecdotes with a sense of detachment, as if she has already extracted the lessons from the incidents and prefers not to dwell on the past. The narrative is so easy going, immersed with short sentences and excellent vocabulary. It never feels like she wrote the book to please the audience - she is brutally honest, naming politicians, bureaucrats ,writers, colleagues, artists and common citizens- sharing her version of stories that shaped her extraordinary life. There is a section where she talks about the emergency phase in India (1975-1977) and it was interesting to read about one woman's power play (Indira Gandhi's) from other's viewpoint (Seth's).
The honesty resonates when she talks about her work and family. She covers her work extensively, and deservedly so. She was the first women chief justice of a state high court in India- this when her family had no background in law or any political affiliations (a common practice in India at that time). She had a comfortable lifestyle at home, her husband was at a good managerial position where as her starting position as a junior advocate was far from lucrative. But case or no case, she showed up to the courts every day. In a field dominated by males, where she had to raise her voice for basic facilities like a workplace washroom, she marched on slowly and steadily. Her family - husband and 3 children have been her support system and corrected her whenever necessary. She wasn't an overly sensitive mother hovering over her children's every step- she allowed them the time and space to grow at their own pace. All 3 of them are now the masters in their chosen fields - Vikram Seth, an award winning author, Shantum Seth, an ordained Buddhist master and Aradhana Seth- a renowned art director in India and Hollywood.
In an era where females were often confined to being home makers and raising family, Leila Seth's life is nothing short of a miracle and a timeless inspiration for women. I hope more women of her stature share their stories with the world helping restore balance to the universe's scales, which have long been tipped heavily in favor of men.
August 22, 2018
s a student of Political Science, I bought On Balance An Autobiography by Leila Seth out of curiosity to know more about Indian Judiciary. I was fascinated by Late Justice Leila Seth being the First woman Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Being a mother to three wonderfully accomplished children Vikram Seth a renowned author, Shantum Seth a Buddhist teacher and Aaradhna Seth an artist and a filmmaker. A year ago I read an article published in 2014 on Justice Leila Seth publicly condemning Section 377 and getting in terms with her eldest son and a renowned author Vikram Seth’s homosexuality. I wanted to know more about her journey I was absolutely certain that there was more to this woman and in order to feed my curiosity, I bought this book.
Late Justice Leila Seth took up writing her autobiography when she met with an accident and ended up with multiple fractures and she dedicates the autobiography to her Husband Premo and Her granddaughters Nandini and Anamika. She starts with the first chapter titled Mother Tongue starting with the great news of her birth and the happiness of her birth in the family and how progressive her parents were and welcomed her in this world in the early nineties. This chapter is a truly a reader’s delight. She writes about her childhood days were the happiest spent with her parents. She writes about her life in boarding school and shares the letters written to her parents and subsequently the tragic death of her father when she was in her school days. Her Father’s death had adverse consequences on their lifestyle and subsequently her mother emphasizing strong values in raising her and her two brothers in order to make them independent.
Check out the full review on my blog. Click on the link below.
Late Justice Leila Seth took up writing her autobiography when she met with an accident and ended up with multiple fractures and she dedicates the autobiography to her Husband Premo and Her granddaughters Nandini and Anamika. She starts with the first chapter titled Mother Tongue starting with the great news of her birth and the happiness of her birth in the family and how progressive her parents were and welcomed her in this world in the early nineties. This chapter is a truly a reader’s delight. She writes about her childhood days were the happiest spent with her parents. She writes about her life in boarding school and shares the letters written to her parents and subsequently the tragic death of her father when she was in her school days. Her Father’s death had adverse consequences on their lifestyle and subsequently her mother emphasizing strong values in raising her and her two brothers in order to make them independent.
Check out the full review on my blog. Click on the link below.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2022
3.5. This autobiography was rich in detail, candid, and intimate. It may have been the first time that I felt a vacuum due to the physical absence of the autobiography's author- Ms.Seth passed away in 2017. There were many commonalities in family background that I observed. Hence, I feel there is a personal bias in this review as this autobiography was unusually relatable. It is about an eminent jurist, and was insightful about her life and mind, as well as the Indian legal arena.
The title is highly apt. The initial writing is surprisingly poor in some parts, yet is balanced with beautiful lines later. There are some hilarious incidents mentioned and there paragraphs that can move one to tears. The happiness is balanced with tragedy, and so is the preachiness with inspiration. While the book’s timeline is largely linear, Ms.Seth factors in the need for depth by delving into topics intermittently.
Ms.Seth ventured into legal areas after her retirement that she hadn’t worked on earlier. She was a crusader for the minorities and weaker sections, and strived to reach a balance in many legal spheres. It is not that Ms.Seth’s family and career were balanced and successful throughout. In her life, she achieved a balance on a macro level through honest effort. She gives some simple, practical and counter-intuitive advice at the end on how to do this.
I missed the presence of tougher choices wherein striking a balance would have been more challenging. Or perhaps these were there, though Ms.Seth manages to make them seem easily surmountable and even amusing.
The title is highly apt. The initial writing is surprisingly poor in some parts, yet is balanced with beautiful lines later. There are some hilarious incidents mentioned and there paragraphs that can move one to tears. The happiness is balanced with tragedy, and so is the preachiness with inspiration. While the book’s timeline is largely linear, Ms.Seth factors in the need for depth by delving into topics intermittently.
Ms.Seth ventured into legal areas after her retirement that she hadn’t worked on earlier. She was a crusader for the minorities and weaker sections, and strived to reach a balance in many legal spheres. It is not that Ms.Seth’s family and career were balanced and successful throughout. In her life, she achieved a balance on a macro level through honest effort. She gives some simple, practical and counter-intuitive advice at the end on how to do this.
I missed the presence of tougher choices wherein striking a balance would have been more challenging. Or perhaps these were there, though Ms.Seth manages to make them seem easily surmountable and even amusing.
March 16, 2023
Justice Seth, a person about whom I didn't know much when I started studying law. But she is going to be amongst the most respected person in my life. This book is an insight into the life that made her India's first women chief justice of any high court.
She has given vivid image of everywhere she has lived in her life. Though I had imagined that the law part would cover much of the book, it was kind of a surprise to find it as only a part of the book. That's probably the biggest takeaway from this book that your professional life is only a part of your whole life. You have to have a clear demarcation between your professional life and personal life.
She has covered some of the most interesting legal controversies of her life. Her insights of the supreme court during the elected autocratic times of India (Indra Gandhi's regime) are the best part.
Read the book for getting inspired. The book was written before she was appointed to write a law commission report on rape and other criminal amendments in 2013, along with justice verma who was the head. Would have loved to read about the same but alas.
She has given vivid image of everywhere she has lived in her life. Though I had imagined that the law part would cover much of the book, it was kind of a surprise to find it as only a part of the book. That's probably the biggest takeaway from this book that your professional life is only a part of your whole life. You have to have a clear demarcation between your professional life and personal life.
She has covered some of the most interesting legal controversies of her life. Her insights of the supreme court during the elected autocratic times of India (Indra Gandhi's regime) are the best part.
Read the book for getting inspired. The book was written before she was appointed to write a law commission report on rape and other criminal amendments in 2013, along with justice verma who was the head. Would have loved to read about the same but alas.
October 18, 2024
I’m completing reading On Balance by the late Leila Seth. The lady led a full life- of ups and downs and an average life of many surprises and shocks. Seth was Delhi High Court’s first woman judge, she was also the first woman Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. But she was more than just that, an impeccable mother, her children- Vikram and Aradhana Seth are prominent novelists and art directors.
In many ways, Seth led an average life and she made this average life seem beautiful through her words. With excepts of her family struggles, adventures and travels, her experiences abroad- her life during simpler times was both melancholic and ideal. She never complained about life’s perils but instead just treaded along.
Makes me wonder- are we not happy or grateful for what we have? Why can’t we tread along our problems or simply focus on resolving them instead of whining about them. Absolutely sublime read.. though a wee bit long for me.
In many ways, Seth led an average life and she made this average life seem beautiful through her words. With excepts of her family struggles, adventures and travels, her experiences abroad- her life during simpler times was both melancholic and ideal. She never complained about life’s perils but instead just treaded along.
Makes me wonder- are we not happy or grateful for what we have? Why can’t we tread along our problems or simply focus on resolving them instead of whining about them. Absolutely sublime read.. though a wee bit long for me.
May 25, 2020
A life of grace and dignity, love and laughter, moments and memories.
Such a beautiful life of a woman who added her grain of character (as she said) to make it more vibrant and courageous.
In her autobiography Justice Seth shows how the society has changed for good and bad pre and post independence. She also makes it clear that we are not perfect in different roles we play as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. All one can do is be their at the best of their ability.
She also touched on many interesting events that happened and she was their to witness it right from Independent India to the 9/11 attack in the US.
Her love for her family, literature and travel is so heartwarming.
There was love, laughter, pain and grief, but, her world was inspiring. Thank you Ms.Seth for sharing your story.
Such a beautiful life of a woman who added her grain of character (as she said) to make it more vibrant and courageous.
In her autobiography Justice Seth shows how the society has changed for good and bad pre and post independence. She also makes it clear that we are not perfect in different roles we play as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. All one can do is be their at the best of their ability.
She also touched on many interesting events that happened and she was their to witness it right from Independent India to the 9/11 attack in the US.
Her love for her family, literature and travel is so heartwarming.
There was love, laughter, pain and grief, but, her world was inspiring. Thank you Ms.Seth for sharing your story.
January 16, 2024
The writing is often flat and boring. The long narrations about the author’s family were quite unwanted. The value of the book lies in offering some inputs about the workings of the judicial system. Wish the book had focused more on that. Certain unsavoury remarks about Justice Fatima Beevi were avoidable. It seems Justice Seth was bitter about losing out to Justice Beevi on the elevation to SC. Yet, the book deserves to be read and discussed especially for its women’s perspective on the legal profession and the judiciary. Justice Seth also deserves appreciation for the strong condemnation she expressed against the demolition of Babri Masjid( which happened after her retirement). The book carries the statement which Justice Seth and many others published to condemn Babri demolition, which was published by the Times of India. This is an important historical record too.
November 4, 2021
A delightfully inspiring candid read that'll keep you hooked cover to cover. Beautiful journey of a woman who in true sense of the word shattered the glass ceiling in a man's world, with such grace and elegance that one is bound to take away quiet a bit of learning.
Glimpses of some significant events in India's journey post independence and how it affected various strata of the society is interesting and briefly insightful.
All in all, one of my "good reads", that I may return to enjoy again in the future.!
Glimpses of some significant events in India's journey post independence and how it affected various strata of the society is interesting and briefly insightful.
All in all, one of my "good reads", that I may return to enjoy again in the future.!
April 23, 2024
It is a good book. It provides a insight into the struggles faced by Leila being one of the first lawyers practicing in India. The book gives good insights into the working of the Indian government including internal corruption and lobbying, workers, tales about forgotten heroes, etc. I also enjoyed her short stories and incidents regarding her family and experiences.
My only complaint is that the book is a bit long and could have been cut short a bit but it's a nitpick. To write a good autobiography requires patience, I respect that
My only complaint is that the book is a bit long and could have been cut short a bit but it's a nitpick. To write a good autobiography requires patience, I respect that
March 11, 2019
What an eventful life she had. So much to learn from her difficult experiences. An interesting aspect of this book is that at no point she is trying to propagate on how one should lead their lives. It is very well written and the flow is amazing. There is not a single page which will bore you. A must read.
September 11, 2023
This book was a delightful read at a difficult time. The description of an Indian childhood resonated. Also as a fan of the magnum opus “A Suitable Boy� I definitely could see hints of characters that influenced Vikram Seth.
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