Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Honor

Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

70 reviews

jessv's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I was surprised by my reaction to this book given the average star rating being very high. This book feels like white saviour poverty porn, despite the author and the protagonist having grown up in India (before moving to the USA) and despite the protagonist wondering at one point if she herself is perpetuating poverty porn by covering Meena's story for an American newspaper. Many of the Indian characters in this story are given very little dignity or agency. The protagonist is so disparaging about the country as a whole - which I understand comes from a traumatic incident she experienced as a child - but ultimately it feels like this book is a disservice to the very real and important issues that occur in India. It's possible to describe horrible crimes against women or religious conflict without dialogue like "what is wrong with this backwards country?" I think it wouldve been more effective from the perspective of someone living there (eg Meena's chapters). The only positive was an easy-to-read writing style and a fast-paced story that I finished quickly.

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tillie__'s review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.75

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gold_star_reader's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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lyndsay_bibliophile's review against another edition

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informative sad tense fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Overall, "Honor” is a powerful and thought-provoking story of honor, justice, and the strength of the human spirit. It’s a story that will stay with you, prompting self-reflection and sparking important conversations.

The book excelled in its raw representation of the struggle for justice, forcing me to confront uncomfortable truths about societal blind spots.

However, Smita's character left me conflicted. While Umrigar captures her initial journalistic detachment really well, Smita's lack of empathy at times felt jarring. I wished for a deeper connection to her.

On a personal note, Mohan's urge to defend India resonated deeply. It made me reflect on how we often apologize or justify aspects of our own cultures or the actions of others due to a misplaced sense of responsibility.

However, some crucial details of the story sometimes felt neglected and exploring them would have added depth to the narrative. Similarly, the abrupt shift from tragedy to a budding love story in the final chapters felt disjointed.

Despite these minor drawbacks, "Honor" remains a compelling read. Umrigar's writing is beautiful and insightful, spotlighting the complex realities of social injustice and female resilience. The lingering questions and impactful lessons learned make this book a worth reading.

I recommend this book to those who appreciate complex stories with themes of cultural clashes, legal drama, and a fight for justice.

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