Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Honor

This is one of those stories that you will sound strange to say you enjoyed but will definitely stay with most readers for a while.

The main story of Meena being attacked and set on fire by her brothers in the name of "honor" was absolutely horrifying and heartbreaking, especially knowing these attacks still happen around the world.

I did mostly enjoy the way the secondary story of Smita's past was woven in and mirrored Meena's story but found Smita herself to be grating with her attitude to India and Mohan. Some comments and dialogue just read so awkward and stilted it jarred me from the story.

I would definitely recommend this to others and I've got another book by this author to try as I did enjoy her writing.

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jaelynna's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I’m almost speechless after this book. Thrity Umrigar beautifully captured the story of Meena and those who fought to help and bring her justice. To restore honor to her life. This is 100% in my top 5 books of all time — the emotions it brought are hard to shake.

I naively believed this book to take on the “privileged savior” approached and was gut wrenched at the reality of this story - Meena was doomed from the start all because she loved.

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saboyer's review against another edition

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emotional reflective 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

4.0

She paints a brilliant portrait of a complex society and relationship with it. Really beautiful, empathetic, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. Seemed a bit rushed in the end but I like that it exists in the grey.

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sushmita_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

Despite its dark subject matter (gender violence), I found it very difficult to put down. I found the characters flawed but well-written and engaging, the plot moved at a reasonable pace. The whole story felt deeply human. And being part of the Indian diaspora, I related to parts of the main character. The feeling of being responsible for India's struggles, relief and gratitude for being brought up in the Global North and grief at what culture I've lost.

Like others, I was a bit confused by Smita's choice to stay in India. Considering how much trauma she'd suffered and seen. But I think a) she decided to extend her stay by 3 months not forever and b) it wasn't just Mohan but also the promise she made to Meena. I know it's fiction but would've been nice to see at least a convo or two about Abru's future. Consistency and routine is so important, the child's life felt like a plot point rather than an important consideration. The trauma of uprooting her or abandoning her after forming a bond etc.

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aayaannaa's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad 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

5.0

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susanhackett's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

3.75

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sesdonovan's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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

4.0

I actually found this to be almost unbearable for the first 2/3 of the book (sooo much backstory and interviewing… and nothing really happens), but the heartwrenching ending and the way the author brings things full circle really added some points in the final third. I also think it’s an important, eye opening read and I think I’m better off for having read it.

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