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Kevin Ansbro's Reviews > A Fine Balance
A Fine Balance
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by
Kevin Ansbro's review
bookshelves: gentle-humour, human-cruelty, human-emotions, human-imagery, immorality, indigenous, morality, wry-humour, indian-fiction
May 31, 2018
bookshelves: gentle-humour, human-cruelty, human-emotions, human-imagery, immorality, indigenous, morality, wry-humour, indian-fiction
Because it wasn't an unputdownable, hold-you-in-its-thrall page-turner, this novel took me weeks to finish.
My only real issue was that I loved the writing WAY more than the actual story.
And what’s not to like about Mistry's beautifully-crafted prose? I drooled over his penmanship and revelled in his wordplay. Like Rushdie and Shakespeare, he intermingles pathos with humour.
The story, though, didn’t grab me by the ears and snog me.
Which is why it drops one star.
My only real issue was that I loved the writing WAY more than the actual story.
And what’s not to like about Mistry's beautifully-crafted prose? I drooled over his penmanship and revelled in his wordplay. Like Rushdie and Shakespeare, he intermingles pathos with humour.
The story, though, didn’t grab me by the ears and snog me.
Which is why it drops one star.
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Reading Progress
August 21, 2015
– Shelved
August 21, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 14, 2018
–
Started Reading
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
gentle-humour
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
human-cruelty
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
human-emotions
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
human-imagery
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
immorality
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
indigenous
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
morality
May 31, 2018
– Shelved as:
wry-humour
June 1, 2018
–
Finished Reading
June 21, 2018
– Shelved as:
indian-fiction
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May 15, 2018 01:40PM
Have this on my shelf and will be very interested to see what you think.
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Jo wrote: "Have this on my shelf and will be very interested to see what you think."I'm enjoying it very much, Jo!!
Loved this. Mistry does dialogue so well. Family Matters is also really good, too.
Sharon wrote: "Loved this. Mistry does dialogue so well. Family Matters is also really good, too."Yes! The dialogue was creative and word-perfect.
Thanks, Sharon!
Thanks for this positive review. Yes, stylistically Mistry shines. Beyond a shadow of a doubt!
Fergus wrote: "Thanks for this positive review. Yes, stylistically Mistry shines. Beyond a shadow of a doubt!"
You’re welcome. Thanks, Fergus!
We’ve got to be honest and I’m glad you were . Even if the story didn’t work for you , Kevin your lovely review and thoughts on the writing convinced me I should get to this!
..."grab me by the ears and snog me..." I am truly missing something in my reading because I never have had a book that did THIS!! I'm going to start reading more of the books that YOU read Kevin!!! Great review, btw.
The last book that did the ear thing was The Heart's Invisible Fury....Still searching for the next ear grabber!
I need to peruse your "grabbed-me-by-the-ears-and-snogged me" shelf.
Angela M wrote: "We’ve got to be honest and I’m glad you were . Even if the story didn’t work for you , Kevin your lovely review and thoughts on the writing convinced me I should get to this!"Thanks, Angela! It was definitely a very good read, albeit one that didn't have me abandoning all else to get back to it.
Mackey wrote: "..."grab me by the ears and snog me..." I am truly missing something in my reading because I never have had a book that did THIS!! I'm going to start reading more of the books that YOU read Kevin!!..."Ha, thanks, Mackey.
You reminded me of the lady in the When Harry Met Sally diner scene, who says to the server, "I'll have what she's having."
: )
Marialyce wrote: "The last book that did the ear thing was The Heart's Invisible Fury....Still searching for the next ear grabber!"I agree. That was a fantastic book. Thanks, Marialyce!
Kimber wrote: "Kevin, you always pop in that bit of humor that slays me! Here is hoping your next book is an ear-grabbing snog-fest! : )"Ha! Thanks, Kimber. Me too! : )
Linda wrote: "I need to peruse your "grabbed-me-by-the-ears-and-snogged me" shelf."Bravo, Linda! That made me chuckle out loud!
: D
Read this some time ago before ŷ, Kevin.......amusingly succinct review. x
Paromjit wrote: "Read this some time ago before ŷ, Kevin.......amusingly succinct review. x"Thanks, Paromjit. x
I don't usually do succinct, but writing commitments are presently taking up most of my time.
We need our books to snog us, or else what’s the point? :DI’ve stayed away from this book because I’ve heard it’s the most depressing book, a plot inflicted on its reader, a close relative of “A Little Life�, in other words. But I loved reading your pithy and appreciative review, Kevin!
Bianca wrote: "Short and to the point review."Thanks, Bianca!
Robin wrote: "We need our books to snog us, or else what’s the point? :DI’ve stayed away from this book because I’ve heard it’s the most depressing book..."
Agreed, though there are dashes of humour.
It was all about the writing for me, Robin.
I read this book over 20 years ago and I remember how powerful it was. I agree the writing was top notch. But I also remember being totally exhausted by the end of the book. So much to take in. Glad you enjoyed it, Kevin
Antoinette wrote: "I read this book over 20 years ago and I remember how powerful it was. I agree the writing was top notch. But I also remember being totally exhausted by the end of the book. So much to take in. Gla..."Thanks, Antoinette. I did enjoy it, though more for the writing.
I should always read your reviews right before I go to sleep at night, Kevin, so I will always go to sleep with a smile on my face. Love your review.
Cheri wrote: "I should always read your reviews right before I go to sleep at night, Kevin, so I will always go to sleep with a smile on my face. Love your review."Oh, wow, what an incredibly kind thing to say, Cheri!
Thank you!! : )
Excellent review, Kevin, as always. I'm sorry to hear this story wasn't more engaging. I have had this on my eReader for eons and I might need to dust it off and actually read it - just for the magnificent writing, of course. 😊
Jaline wrote: "Excellent review, Kevin, as always. I'm sorry to hear this story wasn't more engaging. I have had this on my eReader for eons and I might need to dust it off and actually read it - just for the mag..."Thanks, Jaline! : )
I'd award his writing five out of five, the story, just three.
I’ve loved his books, although I can understand how the story may not have grabbed you, Kevin.
I too hope your next book is a big ole snogfest! Nice review :)
Esil wrote: "I’ve loved his books, although I can understand how the story may not have grabbed you, Kevin."Thanks, Esil! LOVED his writing, not pulled in by the story.
Deanna wrote: "I too hope your next book is a big ole snogfest! Nice review :)"Thanks, Dee. I hope so too! : )
I really struggled with this one and it ended up on my 3-star shelf so still a good read.I need you to say more Kev ! Lol !
I recently read this and loved it, but I enjoyed your take on it, Kevin! I'm pleased you appreciated his writing :)
Jaidee wrote: "I really struggled with this one and it ended up on my 3-star shelf so still a good read.I need you to say more Kev ! Lol !"
I know you did, Jaidee.
You want me to say more? Most people tell me to shut up! : )
Candi wrote: "I recently read this and loved it, but I enjoyed your take on it, Kevin! I'm pleased you appreciated his writing :)"Thanks, Candi. Your review was superb!
Chimney wrote: "What other books do you recommend for a gentle humor aspect of this novel?"Thanks, Chimney.
The books that I was about to recommend are already on your TBR list...
My Family and Other Animals
A Gentleman in Moscow
The Heart's Invisible Furies (very funny, but sad too).
" Didn’t grab me by the ears and snog me". Your delightful lines mitigated the lingering despair which enveloped me after reading this wonderfully moving novel.
Vishakha wrote: "" Didn’t grab me by the ears and snog me". Your delightful lines mitigated the lingering despair which enveloped me after reading this wonderfully moving novel."Thank you, Vishakha!
I loved your eloquent and well-informed review. So much better than my lazy effort!
Kevin wrote: "Vishakha wrote: "" Didn’t grab me by the ears and snog me". Your delightful lines mitigated the lingering despair which enveloped me after reading this wonderfully moving novel."Thank you, Vishak..."
Thank you, Kevin:) Your "lazy effort" gave me a much needed dose of cheer which is prescribed after reading this book.
Vishakha wrote: "Thank you, Kevin:) Your "lazy effort" gave me a much needed dose of cheer which is prescribed after reading this book...."Pleased to hear it, Vishakha! : )
Also gave this 4 stars. I loved the story but hated the ending.
Bernice wrote: "Also gave this 4 stars. I loved the story but hated the ending."Ditto, Bernice.
My apologies for missing your comment.💐
