Reviews

Nectar in a Sieve, by Kamala Markandaya

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demottar's review

3.0

The writing here is fantastic, but the storytelling lacks something. I’m not 100% sure what I needed to connect more with these characters and their plight, but whatever it is, it really prevented me from diving deep into this novel. At times, I found myself nearing boredom even. I appreciated the style, but didn’t care much for the content.

shroff_sanjana's review

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emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Content Warnings

orlala's review

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adventurous emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

maggiepiercy's review

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emotional reflective sad 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

nellyniem's review

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reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

readwithciara's review

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

"Bend like a grass, that you do not break."

Nectar in a Sieve left me in a daze. It was very intriguing and definitely moving. This book tackles life in India where poverty left people with no choice but to find various means to survive day by day. It portrays what desperation and need can drive one to do.

"It is not enough to cry out, not sufficient to lay bare your woes and catalogue your needs; people only have to close their eyes and their ears, you cannot force them to see or hear– or to answer your cries if they cannot and will not."

Reading this book made me see women, especially mothers in a completely different light. How heartbreaking it must be to see your children suffer and in worst cases, die of hunger or diseases because you cannot provide their needs. That they have to resort to prostitution just so they won't starve to death is really painful although not uncommon.