mhoechsmann's review against another edition
3.0
Have been wanting to read more books that highlight Indian culture/history. This was a decent read about different generations of women within a family, who just maybe never learned the importance of communication.
san_isa_reader_tooooo's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booklover1974's review against another edition
DNF.... stopped at page 101. The first part of the book was good but then things started to become so unrealistic that I got annoyed with the book. So sad because I had high hopes.
amellear's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
divyasudhakar's review against another edition
4.0
I'm filled with a warm glow as I write this review having just finished the book. Chitra's books usually make you feel that way, unless they make you feel empty and in despair, but the point I'm trying to make is she is an author who can conjure strong emotions.
This is a cross-generational story about the womenfolk in a family and the characters that step in and out of and otherwise influence their lives. The story is told through the viewpoints of all these characters and it jumps back and forth through time giving you a little snippet of a momentous occasion in one of these characters' lives and you see the story unfold. The story itself is more of a crutch to flesh out interpersonal relationships and conflicts between these characters but that's how I like my books.
This is also a book about flaws, deep brokenness and flaws. I can't remember any other book of hers where I felt the characters were as timid and weak-willed as this one and prone to all sorts of substance abuse and suicidal tendencies. It truly is a veritable smorgasbord of issues. But it's also a book about forgiveness, of others in your life and of yourself for your flaws.
This is a cross-generational story about the womenfolk in a family and the characters that step in and out of and otherwise influence their lives. The story is told through the viewpoints of all these characters and it jumps back and forth through time giving you a little snippet of a momentous occasion in one of these characters' lives and you see the story unfold. The story itself is more of a crutch to flesh out interpersonal relationships and conflicts between these characters but that's how I like my books.
This is also a book about flaws, deep brokenness and flaws. I can't remember any other book of hers where I felt the characters were as timid and weak-willed as this one and prone to all sorts of substance abuse and suicidal tendencies. It truly is a veritable smorgasbord of issues. But it's also a book about forgiveness, of others in your life and of yourself for your flaws.
olivetoread's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the story told from different perspectives of multiple generations of Indian women.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
3.0
I came to this book with very high expectations, and although well-written the book fell short. This is the story if three generations of Indian and Indian-American women. It explores issues of mother-daughter relationships, marriage, and identity (among others). The chapters jump between characters and time, and we slowly piece together the stories of Sabitri, Bela, and Tara. I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't love it either. It's fits into the modern trend of writing about unhappy people.
ohsusanna's review against another edition
3.0
The last two books I rated with three stars because I wasn't very impressed by much of the book but thought they both had a clever premise. I went and changed their rating to two stars because this book is three stars. While I really enjoyed the story, it isn't one of the best I've read or even a book I'd consider reading again. It had the generational span that entices a lot of readers but not in a way that felt you were in the story. Years would be skipped, showing small instances where so much change would happen without you getting to understand how the character went through the changes. It felt like a book that didn't practice "Show don't tell" well with it's plot, telling you what happened instead of letting you experience it for yourself. The characters were more real and enjoyable than the last two books, something that gives it three out of five stars.
grazanne's review against another edition
3.0
It took me awhile to get into this book, and but for it being the last book of a summer reading challenge, I would have abandoned it. It reads like many short stories that are woven together by the end of the book. It is about three generations of Indian women Sabitri, Bela & Tara, and their repeated mistakes that pull themselves and their families apart. At its heart, it is a story for women of trying to pass on to their daughters to not squander the opportunities that an education and independence can give them. And that you can turn your life around at any age: Sabitri and her sweet shop, Bela and her cookbooks and hopefully Tara.
booksofjj's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
As with a lot of books that take on multiple character perspectives, there are some parts of the book that I found better than others. Most the more modern generations perspective but overall, an okay book.