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nanimao's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Layers of detail about the ecology and human dynamics of a small hill community.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
roseaboveitreads's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
betweenbookends's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
This was my second Anuradha Roy. I had read her first novel, The Atlas of Impossible Longing earlier in the year, it was not without its flaws but it was a very enjoyable family saga. With the Folded Earth, I felt that it had real potential and very interesting themes but the execution of it wasn't all that convincing. Compared to her first novel, in this Roy has matured as a writer, and her language definitely demonstrates a higher literary merit. The writing is fluid, evocative and effortless. However, her first novel had a more coherent plot line. In this, the first half significantly meanders & Roy finds her footing only towards the second half. The novel follows the story of Maya, a 25 year old woman, reinventing her life in Ranikhet, a small town in the foothills of the Himalayas, following her husband's death on a mountaineering accident.
It had all the ingredients of a good story for me: a female protagonist with a troubled past, a Himalayan mountain setting, and I went in expecting to be absorbed into Maya's story. But rather, Roy uses Maya only as a storyteller, as a lens to showcase the true singular character in this novel, which is by and large the town of Ranikhet. The entire novel is a kaleidoscopic view of the varied inhabitants of the town and their livelihood, its natural bounty, the wildlife, the history of the place and its people, the interactions and eccentricities of these characters in all its exuberance. So what you get are vignettes narrated from Maya's perspectives of all these different characters and happenings that shape this small Himalayan mountain town. Maya settles into a non traditional family of sorts with her landlord, his nephew, an elderly lady & her grand daughter. And while you could say, these are the key characters of the story and the relationships between them is the main focus of the novel, you do get a glimpse into the other townsfolk and their lives as well.
There's a slim plot line of Indian politicians riding high on religious differences for their own political advantage, there's a subtle love story in the backdrop, there's an angle of how industrialisation is eating into the environment, references to the partition of India and its aftermath, you get the drift. So I felt like Roy had too many ideas, too many angles, too much weaved into too little, that none of it was done complete justice. The chaos and disorderedness of an Indian town is emulated in the format of the novel itself.
Bottomline, reading this felt like a masala medley of too many flavours, and the aftertaste left me confused and unsated. So I'd recommend it with reluctance, to a particular kind of audience.
This was my second Anuradha Roy. I had read her first novel, The Atlas of Impossible Longing earlier in the year, it was not without its flaws but it was a very enjoyable family saga. With the Folded Earth, I felt that it had real potential and very interesting themes but the execution of it wasn't all that convincing. Compared to her first novel, in this Roy has matured as a writer, and her language definitely demonstrates a higher literary merit. The writing is fluid, evocative and effortless. However, her first novel had a more coherent plot line. In this, the first half significantly meanders & Roy finds her footing only towards the second half. The novel follows the story of Maya, a 25 year old woman, reinventing her life in Ranikhet, a small town in the foothills of the Himalayas, following her husband's death on a mountaineering accident.
It had all the ingredients of a good story for me: a female protagonist with a troubled past, a Himalayan mountain setting, and I went in expecting to be absorbed into Maya's story. But rather, Roy uses Maya only as a storyteller, as a lens to showcase the true singular character in this novel, which is by and large the town of Ranikhet. The entire novel is a kaleidoscopic view of the varied inhabitants of the town and their livelihood, its natural bounty, the wildlife, the history of the place and its people, the interactions and eccentricities of these characters in all its exuberance. So what you get are vignettes narrated from Maya's perspectives of all these different characters and happenings that shape this small Himalayan mountain town. Maya settles into a non traditional family of sorts with her landlord, his nephew, an elderly lady & her grand daughter. And while you could say, these are the key characters of the story and the relationships between them is the main focus of the novel, you do get a glimpse into the other townsfolk and their lives as well.
There's a slim plot line of Indian politicians riding high on religious differences for their own political advantage, there's a subtle love story in the backdrop, there's an angle of how industrialisation is eating into the environment, references to the partition of India and its aftermath, you get the drift. So I felt like Roy had too many ideas, too many angles, too much weaved into too little, that none of it was done complete justice. The chaos and disorderedness of an Indian town is emulated in the format of the novel itself.
Bottomline, reading this felt like a masala medley of too many flavours, and the aftertaste left me confused and unsated. So I'd recommend it with reluctance, to a particular kind of audience.
amc70's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“The mountains believe that love must be tested by adversity.”
A Folded Earth is a slow beautiful burn. While in the depths of the book, I did consider rating this story lower though I think that was more a reflection of me and the time I had to read; reading this in 5-10 page spurts was difficult. This is a slower paced novel but do not let that deter you. The writing itself is lyrical. Nature is a main character and she is beautifully depicted, reminding me that she is the one constant in our lives, deserving and needing human protection and care. Roy also depicts different types of love and relationships with grace, candor and eloquence.
My knowledge of Indian society and history was admittedly limited; I found the glossary very helpful. Human nature is human nature be it in India or anywhere else in the world. I was able to see parallels between India and my country’s societal and political trends as well as the individual beauty of India, her people and culture. Recommended!
A Folded Earth is a slow beautiful burn. While in the depths of the book, I did consider rating this story lower though I think that was more a reflection of me and the time I had to read; reading this in 5-10 page spurts was difficult. This is a slower paced novel but do not let that deter you. The writing itself is lyrical. Nature is a main character and she is beautifully depicted, reminding me that she is the one constant in our lives, deserving and needing human protection and care. Roy also depicts different types of love and relationships with grace, candor and eloquence.
My knowledge of Indian society and history was admittedly limited; I found the glossary very helpful. Human nature is human nature be it in India or anywhere else in the world. I was able to see parallels between India and my country’s societal and political trends as well as the individual beauty of India, her people and culture. Recommended!
sabs98's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is a beautiful, humble, slow-blossoming portrait of the life in a small Himalayan town. Though the pace of the book is very slow, it allows for us to get to know our characters and their lives intimately through our protagonist's observant and reverent perspective. We learn in depth about life in Ranikhet: what it's like to coexist with nature in the mountains; the histories and lives of the characters, old and young, rich and poor; how politics and environmental issues affect a small town with historical significance and immense natural profondeur.
ivyrose7's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly am not sure why I finished this book. I found it to be very slow moving and disappointing. I started to feel a bond with Charu (one of the more interesting characters), but then she just disappeared from the story line right when you started to feel invested.
I am glad Maya finally saw Veer for the jerk he was, but even that revelation seemed like a bit of a let down.
I am glad Maya finally saw Veer for the jerk he was, but even that revelation seemed like a bit of a let down.
phenaia's review against another edition
4.0
Great writing and wonderful story with an unexpected twist at the end. Set against the backdrop of the divinely beautiful Himalayan landscape of Ranikhet, i was completely absorbed into the lives of the characters in the book. You get an insight into the lives of ordinary folk in small towns of India's mountains. The writer creates a dreamy atmosphere and the story has a soothing effect on you, until the revelation at the end springs at you when you least expect it. I think the ending could have been better, as it feels like the author rushed to finish the story quickly leaving behind loose threads. I particularly didn't like the protagonist's actions in the end, which seemed unconvincing and out of character.
shahiabassh69's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
samsam123's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This novel is a pleasure to read. Roy’s writing is lush with descriptions of nature and place that has you really consider the function of these in our life. Although this is a novel about love and how politics and money are some of the biggest obstacles that interfere with love, it is also a book that considers the unconditional love of Mother Nature. It’s a refuge, a respite, a teacher that demands respect and intimacy.
This novel is not heavy with plot, but is a slow moving narrative of a woman who finds her place in the hills. The characters that people this narrative are lovable or hilarious caricatures. However, simmering beneath much of this is the threat of Hindutva violence and political corruption.
Perhaps at first glance this does not sound like the novel for you, I thought the same thing, but once I started reading I found myself constantly wanting to return to this story and it’s characters. Definitely give it a try.
This novel is not heavy with plot, but is a slow moving narrative of a woman who finds her place in the hills. The characters that people this narrative are lovable or hilarious caricatures. However, simmering beneath much of this is the threat of Hindutva violence and political corruption.
Perhaps at first glance this does not sound like the novel for you, I thought the same thing, but once I started reading I found myself constantly wanting to return to this story and it’s characters. Definitely give it a try.