robringer's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
shoshin's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book reminds me a bit of Jane Austen in that it's so well written that you just keep turning pages to find out what happens next even though nothing much ever really happens. It reminds me of Salman Rushdie (his only book I've read is Midnight's Children) in that it doesn't shy away from bodily functions and seems to delight a bit in puzzling and grossing readers out. It has a strange and strong focus on the mundane. Every house Mr Biswas lived in was described in excruciating detail. Big life events were boiled down to a couple of sentences, even if their impacts reverberated throughout his life.
I feel like this would be a very good book to read with a class or a book discussion group, because I'm sure I've missed a lot of things that a conversation could deepen.
I feel like this would be a very good book to read with a class or a book discussion group, because I'm sure I've missed a lot of things that a conversation could deepen.
greyemk's review against another edition
4.5
I’m not even sure I can say “what this book is about” or its themes. It’s about Mr. Biswas’s quest for a house. It’s about family you can’t get rid of and a colonial politick that circumscribes ambition but mostly just one ornery dude.
This is a book you read for the writing. The scenes pop off the page, the humor emphasizes the ridiculousness of all parties, the characters have such great witticisms. The style is accessible and pretty fast-paced for a book about basically nothing, but there are still turns of gorgeous lyricism hidden throughout.
I want to go read some reviews of this to see other peoples thoughts. But I think this is a masterclass in making mundane squabbles and petty complaints and routine failures important and interesting.
This reader and learner will be thinking about the casual phrase “wifebeating society” for a long while. Also the hammock calves.
This is a book you read for the writing. The scenes pop off the page, the humor emphasizes the ridiculousness of all parties, the characters have such great witticisms. The style is accessible and pretty fast-paced for a book about basically nothing, but there are still turns of gorgeous lyricism hidden throughout.
I want to go read some reviews of this to see other peoples thoughts. But I think this is a masterclass in making mundane squabbles and petty complaints and routine failures important and interesting.
This reader and learner will be thinking about the casual phrase “wifebeating society” for a long while. Also the hammock calves.
ferciboy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
anshikatrivedi_'s review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to see a person struggle so hard, his whole life, for something many of us take for granted, independence and a home.
This was a sad but often comical read about one mans determination to change his destiny. Mr. Biswas spends the better half of his life, trying to climb out from under the prophecy given at his birth, that he was to be a "leecher" and a "liar"
Mr Biswas sees this house as a symbol and the key to his independence.
Mr Biswas is a complex and sometimes unlikable character. In fact the book is full or complex and unlikable characters. I thought the story was at times slow, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
This was a sad but often comical read about one mans determination to change his destiny. Mr. Biswas spends the better half of his life, trying to climb out from under the prophecy given at his birth, that he was to be a "leecher" and a "liar"
Mr Biswas sees this house as a symbol and the key to his independence.
Mr Biswas is a complex and sometimes unlikable character. In fact the book is full or complex and unlikable characters. I thought the story was at times slow, but overall it was an enjoyable read.
ruthmoog's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
3.0
I didn't get this book. It was about Mr Biswas' life which was full of anxiety, and despite him being inc edibly irresponsible he had a successful career.
It's very much a keeping up with the Jones's story with some dull details of house maintenance.
I'm sure I would appreciate it differently if I took the time to study it, but as a pastime read it was meh. And has racism - although I hadn't been aware of colonial India in Trinidad before this.
It's very much a keeping up with the Jones's story with some dull details of house maintenance.
I'm sure I would appreciate it differently if I took the time to study it, but as a pastime read it was meh. And has racism - although I hadn't been aware of colonial India in Trinidad before this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Animal death, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness and Child abuse
Minor: Death
Drowning, anxietyelliejmatthews's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jenmat1197's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of Mohun Biswas (for most of the time he is called Mr. Biswas) who spent all 46 years of his life feeling inadequate. The story begins when he is a child and his father drowns. Things just seem to go downhill from there. He spends his whole life looking for a home where he can settle and stay. He marries into the Tulsi family who treats him terribly for the rest of his life. His life and his 4 children never really care for him. He bounces around from house to house, never settling, never having enough money to break away from the Tulsi family, and in the end, his life is cut short. He spent his whole life looking for autonomy and never finding it.
This book was.....strange. It is supposed to be a dark comedy, and I guess it was.....to a point. I did chuckle from time to time. And don't get me wrong, the writing was good. It was well written and the story was easy to follow. But the story in general I just couldn't get in to. I did not like any of the characters in the book. They are all awful. Even Mr. Biswas. He was constantly an "Eeyore" in this whole book - woe is me at every turn. This book never took an upswing, and that made it a big painful to tacklet.
Eh.
This book was.....strange. It is supposed to be a dark comedy, and I guess it was.....to a point. I did chuckle from time to time. And don't get me wrong, the writing was good. It was well written and the story was easy to follow. But the story in general I just couldn't get in to. I did not like any of the characters in the book. They are all awful. Even Mr. Biswas. He was constantly an "Eeyore" in this whole book - woe is me at every turn. This book never took an upswing, and that made it a big painful to tacklet.
Eh.