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thedoozyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Emery Allen had said what I wanted to say - "Some things are too strange and strong to be coincidences."
ridaakhtar_'s review against another edition
5.0
Soft, serene and smoldering nostalgia is what this book encapsulates you in, softly, serenely and rather dexterously, to be very honest.
anomadicnarrative's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.25
spb3's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed Mishra's fiction - maybe even more than his non-fiction! Though many reviewers have decried it as devoid of action, it has meaningful interactions throughout the story that capture moments that are lost in translation between cultures. Though it was written in the 90s, much of the book - like its inspiration, Flaubert's Sentimental Education - remains relevant in today's world of seekers and climbers.
failedimitator's review against another edition
4.0
There's a part in this book where one of the characters reads a book about 19th century french people, and mentions that he "knows these people". They're living in his world. That's pretty much me, reading this book about India in the late 80s/early 90s and thinking... I know these people. This is my world.
sksingh's review against another edition
3.0
Not very careful depiction of facts, but an interesting read..
clairewords's review against another edition
4.0
Reached for this off the bookshelf while suffering a fever and cold and was just what I needed, remembering those rooftop guest houses and the tangled kites, the ghats, the river boats, the pilgrims of Varanasi (Benares). A wonderful look across and within cultures from the perspective of a young Indian man.
the_local_dialect's review against another edition
4.0
This book is more 3.5 stars for me but I'm rounding up. I wasn't incredibly impressed with it, but I enjoyed the portraits of the Westerners living in Benares, people mostly backpacking through who just ... stayed. I felt I knew these people somehow, as an expat myself who lived in a city that was a bit like Benares at one point, so I think for that reason alone I was more drawn to the book than I might have been. The portaits of these characters are well drawn, in particular Catherine and her sitar-player boyfriend, and I found myself more interested in their story than in that of the main character, who becomes a bit of a bore after awhile.
I do think Panjak Mishra has potential and would like to read from him.
I do think Panjak Mishra has potential and would like to read from him.
roshonline12's review against another edition
5.0
Pankaj Mishrayude Romantics manoharamaya oru novel aanu. ithile Samar enna protagonist anubhavikunna vedhanakal ethoru Indian yuvavum anubhavikunnavayanu. Joli enna swapnam manasil kandu bheekaramaya uncertainties face cheyyuna ellavarum Samarinte stage kadannu pokunnavaranu. The Great Indian Dream ennu venamenkil parayaam, The Great American Dream pole thanne..Ormakale muruke pidichu kondulla oru jeevitham aanu nammal ellavarudeyum, athu oru vedhana niranja onnanu, ee lokathil onnum thanne namukku permanent aayi swanthamakkan patilla, ormakal ozike onnum..