Scan barcode
fernweh85's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rdurkan's review
4.0
I thought this book was well written and a fast paced book. I still don't know what to think about the ending - it was completely unexpected! Overall I thought this was an interesting perspective of a modern woman in India and her daily internal struggles.
gilmoreguide's review
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
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
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
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