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shailydc's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so drawn out, with way too many details and a ridiculous amount of metaphors. I wasn't rooting for any of the characters and found them all irritating.
I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author - she was not the right choice for narrator, in my opinion.
I listened to the audiobook which was read by the author - she was not the right choice for narrator, in my opinion.
lluvia's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
skynet666's review against another edition
4.0
This was a wonderfully strange story that I think was even better for me because I listened to the second half on audio. I was getting tons of headaches, so reading made them worse. However, I really wanted to move forward in the story, so I got the audio version. The audio was really great because the writer reads the story and adds character and an Indian accent to the other characters (especially the mother).
mia_jk's review against another edition
4.0
“Why is it that fathers so often ensure the outcome they are trying to avoid? Is their need to dominate so much stronger than their instinct to protect? Did Thomas know, Amina wondered as she watched him, that he had just done the human equivalent of a lion sinking his teeth into his own cub?”
- This is far from being the best observation in the book but it did stick, especially considering what happens in the story.
I love how the book is filled with believable characters while also capturing the strangeness and magic of everyday life. Mira Jacob has such a delightful way of expressing regret & misunderstanding, which combine to shape nearly all adult familial relationships. I also really enjoyed how the Indians were not caricatured while acknowledging individual and cultural peculiarities.
While the plot vanishes at junctures, there isn't much to complain about and plenty to appreciate. I can see why many may find it unnecessarily long or perhaps that the story isn't exciting enough. This wasn't the case at all for me (For perspective on the pace of the book - I liked V.S. Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas but felt that Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy ought to have been a lot less shorter). My only significant quibble about the book is the the author's evident dislike of the name Miriam which, for personal reasons, rankles :|
Verdict - It's like reading a slower paced Jodi Picoult with less of the drama but far more believable and moving, even with all the hallucinations involved. Recommend!
- This is far from being the best observation in the book but it did stick, especially considering what happens in the story.
I love how the book is filled with believable characters while also capturing the strangeness and magic of everyday life. Mira Jacob has such a delightful way of expressing regret & misunderstanding, which combine to shape nearly all adult familial relationships. I also really enjoyed how the Indians were not caricatured while acknowledging individual and cultural peculiarities.
While the plot vanishes at junctures, there isn't much to complain about and plenty to appreciate. I can see why many may find it unnecessarily long or perhaps that the story isn't exciting enough. This wasn't the case at all for me (For perspective on the pace of the book - I liked V.S. Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas but felt that Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy ought to have been a lot less shorter). My only significant quibble about the book is the the author's evident dislike of the name Miriam which, for personal reasons, rankles :|
Verdict - It's like reading a slower paced Jodi Picoult with less of the drama but far more believable and moving, even with all the hallucinations involved. Recommend!
jennieleigh's review against another edition
4.0
Almost abandoned at the start because the writing started off rather immature. But it really warmed up and the characters were wonderfully developed. I realized afterwards that she took 10 years to write this book and that shows in the evolution of her style. It was engaging and touching.
persoms's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zellreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book had an interesting premise and some decent writing (although some objectionable metaphors and similes, and a weird rape comment). But it was just too long and seemed to drag on, lots of nothing happening and going around in circles. I liked the past sections with Akhil, but not much of the present day stuff.
rincey's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
sarahmarie_3's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was rough but the story was compelling enough that I avidly read to the end.