Reviews

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

Only show reviews with written explanations

sarahjamack's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense 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

3.25

bmcfee's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

smilesgiggle's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Women's suffering tells the truth of her culture. If you want to know the truth, how people fare in a country/religions/culture, watch the women. Are they happy? Joyous? Do they limp? Hide in the shadows?
Though this book is bursting with heavy topics, so much joy can be found. The love Meena holds for her husband, their daughter - how it still blooms on her scarred face. A face that makes babies cry - a statement weaved throughout the narrative. Experiencing so much tragedy at such a young age - yet Meena nurtures gratitude, while constantly berated by her mother-in-law. Her daughter, one last connection to her dead husband. His love, his face, his beautiful hope.
Smita returns to India - her homeland, after fleeing 20 years earlier with her parents and older brother. As a journalist, Smita tours the world - witnessing horrors such as physical scarring, war, domestic violence; the violence against women. Forced to cover a story for her injured friend, Smita visits a small, traditional rural town to meet with Meena; listen to her tale of love, loss and her desire to tell their daughter she fought for justice.
Born of a Hindu family, Meena knew the law against marrying a Muslim. But she fell in love, married and grew their child. Only to watch her brothers set her husband on fire, desperate to save him, Meena now lives with scarring. And her gorgeous daughter. The hatred of her mother-in-law, exiled from her village, her sister, any support.
Lyrical. Tragic. Optimistic. Love. Family. Traditions. Highly recommend.

readsbya's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

melissewithanereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Enriching, cultural heart inspiring tale of finding compassion, honor, and love in the heart of India while overcoming prejudice, injustice, and cruelty.

meredith_w's review

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

An extremely engaging read. But it also felt 100% written for an all-white women book club. While I was thoroughly entertained and suitably outraged while reading this book, it also felt kinda icky. This story felt exploitive - the main character herself even questioned if writing Meena's story would be classified as 'poverty porn'. Almost all the characters lacked any nuance. The 'bad' characters were extremely bad, and only bad. The 'good' characters were almost perfect, totally kind and the opposite of self-serving. Smita, thankfully, was nuanced - relatable, frustrating, and human.