longcm14's review
5.0
This book grabs your emotions and holds you throughout. Part way through the book, I felt like not much was happening, yet I couldn’t help but pick it up whenever I had free time. Why is that? I realized that Mistry had made me fall in love with the characters. I was invested in their lives, whether it’s a regular day, an exciting moment, or a tragic/unjust event. And while doing this, he teaches lessons on the horrendous reality of 1970 India. Pick up this book! You won’t regret it.
rubal_mittal's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
jangwon_groen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nikita27's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
5.0
lhuss99's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
masapretzel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Depressing as hell. But not shed a tear depressing, just sad and negative and depressing. Like not a happy ending in sight. God forbid my work's book club chooses an enjoyable book. I did like though how all the characters' lives were interconnected. But the book was too long. First few chapters were good though.
apoorvakumble's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaileycool's review
4.0
Read this for BAME book club. A really eye-opening look at the state of the Indian government and urban life in the latter half of the 20th century. This was a NOVEL - full of SYMBOLISM and STRUCTURE and CHANCE MEETINGS. Everything felt much too neatly sewn up (get it?!) for me, but I also understand the choices. I think it's about carrying out and making something beautiful out of tragic experiences (Dina, Om, and Ishvar) instead of clinging to the past and letting the pain and uncertainty of the future wear you down (Maneck). I wonder about the social position of the author. It seems easy to say "grin and carry on!" from the outside looking in.