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cathd80's review against another edition
3.0
Often the first person narrative is used by an author to create doubt in the mind of the reader. Ratika Kapur does the opposite in her novel, The Private Life of Mrs. Sharma, with a narrator who calmly tells the truth about her actions from the novel’s beginning to its end. She is a respectable woman—a wife and mother who works at a doctor’s office in Delhi, India. She lives in a one bedroom apartment with her fifteen-year-old son and her in-laws while her husband lives and works in Dubai, earning money they need to buy a home. He’s been gone for almost two years, but despite missing him Mrs. Sharma knows it is necessary in order to have the life they want.
Into Mrs. Sharma’s crowded but orderly life comes a young man named Vineet. He takes the same train as she does each day and after he stands up for her to a rude man she accepts his invitation to go for coffee. Soon they meet several times a week—which is fine as she comes from a very good family, is happily married and is a proper wife. Mostly, she just likes the company and nothing untoward happens even as she becomes more involved in his life without ever divulging much of her own. After all, if he never asks why is there any reason to tell him she is thirty-seven, with a husband and a teenage son?
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2016/12/the-private-life-of-mrs-sharma/
Into Mrs. Sharma’s crowded but orderly life comes a young man named Vineet. He takes the same train as she does each day and after he stands up for her to a rude man she accepts his invitation to go for coffee. Soon they meet several times a week—which is fine as she comes from a very good family, is happily married and is a proper wife. Mostly, she just likes the company and nothing untoward happens even as she becomes more involved in his life without ever divulging much of her own. After all, if he never asks why is there any reason to tell him she is thirty-seven, with a husband and a teenage son?
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2016/12/the-private-life-of-mrs-sharma/
devm108's review against another edition
5.0
At first till the 4 th chapter it seemed to me like an old wives tale, a stupid private diary entry for such a language was not habitual to me. But as I progressed I understood the content and actually enjoyed it too much until last chapter. With the very beginning of the last chapter my heart skipped a beat. What a brave woman the author has reflected. I could have given it more stars if it was possible for me.
Excellent Work! Being reluctant to it from the start, I finished it in just 3 hours in a raining Sunday afternoon! Loved it.
Excellent Work! Being reluctant to it from the start, I finished it in just 3 hours in a raining Sunday afternoon! Loved it.
thain's review against another edition
4.0
Unsettling gem about a married woman in India who embarks on an affair that takes an unexpected turn.
kentcryptid's review against another edition
5.0
This is a compelling story and character study. It's short, but it contains some sharp observations on class and gender, and packs a massive punch. It's also a master class in getting the reader to empathise with a main character who isn't always exactly likeable.
ashak's review against another edition
3.0
A great read by a strong, fresh voice although the ending was a bit disappointing.
For a complete review please click on the link below:
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/the-private-life-of-mrs-sharma-ratika.html
For a complete review please click on the link below:
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/the-private-life-of-mrs-sharma-ratika.html
jjmcdade's review against another edition
5.0
I was surprised to see that the average rating on this book was a 3.33. I truly enjoyed this book. Confessions: I particularly like books written by people from other cultures. I see it as a way of finding out how other people view life and the world.
That being said, this book had a surprise I never saw coming. Don't want to spoil anything; so, I won't say more. But, it's a quick read and absolutely worth it. I liked the way the author used the protagonist's voice to justify her behavior. Her inner self was in a constant battle to keep her view of herself as a respectable woman intact.
That being said, this book had a surprise I never saw coming. Don't want to spoil anything; so, I won't say more. But, it's a quick read and absolutely worth it. I liked the way the author used the protagonist's voice to justify her behavior. Her inner self was in a constant battle to keep her view of herself as a respectable woman intact.
smitz's review against another edition
4.0
A surprise of a novel! Slow pace and quiet writing. But Mrs. Sharma packs a punch. Her character is delightfully surprising and just has layers and layers to it. Such a well crafted commentary on a society we know too well.
I could not put this book down.
I could not put this book down.
agarje1's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really fascinating look into the life of a middle class married woman in Delhi and all the contradictions that she embodies and deals with. One of the better books that I have read for school.