Reviews

Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry

vartika's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

jevgeniya's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

gerda7's review against another edition

3.0

Nicely written book about an ordinary life. The main character has a 'What will be will be' prevailing attitude, his wife mixing potions to change events. Who was right? don't know, but believe the journey will continue on....

agingerg's review against another edition

3.0

Admittedly skimmed a section. Had I been in the right mood I would have read every word. 3.5

attytheresa's review against another edition

3.0

Bombay, India, 1971. India Gandhi is Prime Minister, corruption is rampant throughout all levels of government, refugees are pouring over the Pakistani border, and war between India and what is now Bangladesh is about to erupt. Against that background we have the story of Gustad, a middle-aged bank clerk, his wife Dilnavaz, and their 3 children, who live in a deteriorating apartment complex in Bombay. They are the middle class who are slowly slipping into poverty given the economic stresses of the times. The intellectually gifted eldest son is rebelling against his parents' plans for his future, their young daughter suffers a mysterious illness, and Gustad's boyhood friend, beloved by the family as Major Uncle, works in some secret capacity for the goverment and has written Gustad asking him to do him a favor. Needless to say, it pulls Gustad into something that threatens the precarious stability of his life.

This is a quiet read, taking you on an emotional journey with this family, their friends and neighbors. There is a very strong sense of place and time. There is humor, tenderness, mystery, tragedy, protest. It is not a flattering portrait of Indira Gandhi's rule. One aspect that I particularly loved was the brilliant balancing in the characters' day-to-day lives of modernity with tradition and superstition. The chapter describing the Zoroastrian funeral at Bombay's Tower of Silence of Gustad's bank colleague and friend was mind-blowing -

Spoiler

it involves vultures

.

However, while liking it, I had to push myself to read it. It failed to engage me completely, so I only gave it 3 stars. I also designated it as filling 2015 Pop Sugar Challenge prompt of book about magic because of the traditional 'spells' used by some of the characters, key to forwarding the plot at times.

jangribird's review against another edition

4.0

I had heard of Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance and had always wanted to read it, but when I got my hands on a copy of Such a Long Journey, I decided to give it a shot. I later found out that it is Mistry's debut novel, and while I have nothing to compare it with, it still stands out as a wonderfully written novel, a slow and gentle read. I think anyone, particularly an Indian would be able to easily relate with the fears, joys and frustrations of the characters. Both Gustad and Dilnavaz are very finely drawn characters, and at the end of the novel, you are left with the impression of them just being very truly and convincingly human. The setting is that of pre-Emergency Bombay and while the cityscape comes alive in the pages of the book, it is the mood of the times and the characters that truly bring life into the book. It also gave a peek into the Parsi community, which I was not familiar with. I look forward to finally reading A Fine Balance.

avasantaana's review against another edition

reflective 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

4.0

kathrync17's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this! Not as much as a fine balance but I definitely think I've found a new favourite author :) I love his writing style and all his characters are so well developed :)

blearywitch's review against another edition

5.0

I like the way the story was told. The descriptions and dialogues are very realistic. It made me feel like I was there, living with Gustad and Dilnavaz, experiencing their emotions, frustrations, and happiness in small things. I can totally relate to Sohrab's rebellion, and Roshan's little girl's despair. It is all so touching. The love between Gustad & Dilnavaz is not lost on me as well although it is barely described, it is apparent in the way they think of and for each other. I read the lines of dialogue just as it was written, with an accent and all in my head - it was fun! The Parsi religion and customs are intriguing. That's partly why I enjoyed it. The magic is ridiculous and yet people believe in it or eventually do. That brought things a little close to home, and gave me a sense of discomfort. I find myself yelling internally at Dilnavaz to stop listening to Mrs. Kutpitia. The story concludes with hope, for the future, for a better life, or for happiness and comfort... what little is available as they grow old.

andrew61's review against another edition

4.0

How come some authors churn out books and you wonder whether someone should have a polite word telling them to stop yet others produce wonderful novels but someone should have a similar word encouraging them to hurry up and write more! So it is with Rohinton Mistry, and whilst this (as his first novel) isn't quite the masterpiece that he would produce with 'A Fine Balance' is still a wonderful portrait of India in the 1970's and MIstry has the ability to create a story about a man and his family and their domestic struggles and emotions whilst allowing you to see the corruption of the state and particularly the government of Indira Ghandi so whilst the reader comes away having been moved by a brilliant novel he has absorbed a piece of political history. The story is about Gustad Noble who lives in a BOmbay flat with his wife and three children. He starts the book in conflict with his elder son who won't take up a place at the Indian Institute of technology and the son eventually leaves the house. The background to the novel is the beginning of a war between India and Pakistan as East Pakistan moves to becoming Bangladesh so there are air raids and a mysterious former resident who as part of the secret service leads Gulstad his friend into a suspicious form of money laundering through his employer bank. The book is both comic with brilliantly drawn characters and poignant as Gulstad struggles with being a father, a friend , and a husband but perhaps most of all a good man. A really good book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend. It's more 4.5 than 4 stars and only not 5 because I rate 'A fine balance so highly. Come on Rohinton pick up your pen again!