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Margitte's Reviews > A Fine Balance
A Fine Balance
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by
Margitte's review
bookshelves: 2016-read, drama, family-sagas, food, historical-fiction, india, reviewed
Oct 21, 2016
bookshelves: 2016-read, drama, family-sagas, food, historical-fiction, india, reviewed
1975. India. The Great emergency. Martial Law. Murder-on-instinct; survival of the fittest. The old, disabled, the poor - fair game. Political mayhem. Family Planning Program going as insane as the population explosion. Riots, violence, families destroyed. Chaos. A Beautification Program chasing people with bulldozers like unwanted sewerage down the isles of perfection. Their lives worth less than the holy cows meandering the trash heaps and destitution of the destruction everywhere.
Despair in abundance. Hope in short supply. A fine balance as futuristic as the abolishment of the caste system.
Amidst it all, the two tailors Ishvar Darji, his nephew Omprakash, and the young widow, Dina Dalal, tried to survive and prosper. For an extra income she took in her friend's son, Maneck and together these four people became the axle around which numerous lives and events played themselves out.
A beautifully written story of hard-break and hardship on an unimaginable scale. A masterpiece in the historical fiction genre.
An excellent companion for this book is 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth to widen the perspective on what was, and still is, happening in India.
RECOMMENDED.
Despair in abundance. Hope in short supply. A fine balance as futuristic as the abolishment of the caste system.
Amidst it all, the two tailors Ishvar Darji, his nephew Omprakash, and the young widow, Dina Dalal, tried to survive and prosper. For an extra income she took in her friend's son, Maneck and together these four people became the axle around which numerous lives and events played themselves out.
A beautifully written story of hard-break and hardship on an unimaginable scale. A masterpiece in the historical fiction genre.
An excellent companion for this book is 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth to widen the perspective on what was, and still is, happening in India.
RECOMMENDED.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
October 21, 2016
– Shelved
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
2016-read
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
drama
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
family-sagas
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
food
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
india
October 21, 2016
– Shelved as:
reviewed
Comments Showing 1-21 of 21 (21 new)
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Dolors
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rated it 4 stars
Oct 21, 2016 03:20AM
Expedient and straight to the point review, Margitte. Funny that you mentioned Seth's epic because I also did so at the end of my review.
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Nice! This has always been a favorite of mine. You've been reading some great books lately.
Dolors wrote: "Expedient and straight to the point review, Margitte. Funny that you mentioned Seth's epic because I also did so at the end of my review."This book was so complex in nature, Dolors, that I decided to just keep it short. And yesssssss, I was so delighted to notice that you also recommended Seth's book as a companion read. We're soooo soulmates :-))
Diane wrote: "Nice! This has always been a favorite of mine. You've been reading some great books lately."Thanks, Diane. Some of the recent reads did not attract much attention as far as GR is concerned, but was such wonderful reads. It's so sad when they slip through the grid, right? So great to see you!
Loved this one too!
GREAT review Margitte, and thanks.....will check out A SUITABLE BOY! :-)
Jen wrote: "Loved this one too!"so tough to read, but so worth it, right, Jen?
Carol wrote: "GREAT review Margitte, and thanks.....will check out A SUITABLE BOY! :-)"Thanks, Carol. My copy of 'Suitable Boy' had 1007 pages. So be ready! Lolol.
A wonderful review for a great book. I read this many years ago and you have pleasantly jogged my memory.
L wrote: "A wonderful review for a great book. I read this many years ago and you have pleasantly jogged my memory."Thanks, L. I don't think I will ever forget this experience either. Great to see you!
I loved this one too, Magritte. It's so powerful.
Esil wrote: "I loved this one too, Magritte. It's so powerful."Absolutely, Esil.
Excellent review Margitte! I have been loving the historical genre lately. I am going to have to check this out.
Mary wrote: "Excellent review Margitte! I have been loving the historical genre lately. I am going to have to check this out."Thanks, Mary. Yes, the genre add some flesh to the bones.
I agree Margitte! I just checked out the ebook at the library and I am next in line for it.
I'm glad you liked it, Margitte! Great review :)
Deanna wrote: "I'm glad you liked it, Margitte! Great review :)"Thanks, Deanna, it was a reeling and weezing experience to get through, but in the end so well written. Well worth it.
Great review, Margitte and a great book worth a re-read. You've reminder me I still have A Suitable Boy to get to.
Nicole~ wrote: "Great review, Margitte and a great book worth a re-read. You've reminder me I still have A Suitable Boy to get to."Thanks, Nicole. I'm looking forward to a next read from India. It is such a wonderful country.
Superb review, Margitte.I loved Mistry's wonderful writing more than I did the story.
Kevin wrote: "Superb review, Margitte.I loved Mistry's wonderful writing more than I did the story."
Thanks, Kevin, Yes, I so agree.
