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A review by elliemcc11
Sleeping on Jupiter by Anuradha Roy
3.0
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy of this book.
Opening with a violent scene, the author didn't hold back in terms of her introduction to the main character. Going back to the present we find Nomi, an Indian looking woman with a European accent, travelling in the same train compartment as 3 older Indian women. All are travelling to the pilgrimage town by the sea, but for different reasons.
Nomi was raised in an ashram, the spiritual leader of which held a certain sway over his followers and politicians alike. Brought here as a boat girl, escaping an unnamed war (Partition Wars possibly?, she and her friend Piku try to blend in. Nomi catches the eye of the spiritual leader which has unpleasant consequences. If, as a reader, you prefer not to read about child sexual abuse and violence against children, I'd advise to steer clear of this book. The descriptions feel very real but are worked well into the story but I appreciate some might find it uncomfortable reading.
The three older women have their issues - for example, one is on the verges of dementia and another is grieving for her husband. They wish to visit a temple on pilgrimage and are met by the guide. He also has his own issues as he's lusting after a younger man, who shows no interest in him and his gifts, but is later spotted with ashram "monks" which causes alarm. The other character to mention is the photographer who meets with Nomi to document the temples and pilgrimage sights. He has marriage and drink / drug problems and has a connection to the older women.
This story flits from past to present and that was something I found to work for me. The characters were okay but I was left with unasnwered questions. I did feel that, although the story had some very serious points, it was lightweight in parts and consequently I enjoyed it but wasn't thrilled by it. Saying that, I would read the author again so it hasn't effected me in that respect.
Opening with a violent scene, the author didn't hold back in terms of her introduction to the main character. Going back to the present we find Nomi, an Indian looking woman with a European accent, travelling in the same train compartment as 3 older Indian women. All are travelling to the pilgrimage town by the sea, but for different reasons.
Nomi was raised in an ashram, the spiritual leader of which held a certain sway over his followers and politicians alike. Brought here as a boat girl, escaping an unnamed war (Partition Wars possibly?, she and her friend Piku try to blend in. Nomi catches the eye of the spiritual leader which has unpleasant consequences. If, as a reader, you prefer not to read about child sexual abuse and violence against children, I'd advise to steer clear of this book. The descriptions feel very real but are worked well into the story but I appreciate some might find it uncomfortable reading.
The three older women have their issues - for example, one is on the verges of dementia and another is grieving for her husband. They wish to visit a temple on pilgrimage and are met by the guide. He also has his own issues as he's lusting after a younger man, who shows no interest in him and his gifts, but is later spotted with ashram "monks" which causes alarm. The other character to mention is the photographer who meets with Nomi to document the temples and pilgrimage sights. He has marriage and drink / drug problems and has a connection to the older women.
This story flits from past to present and that was something I found to work for me. The characters were okay but I was left with unasnwered questions. I did feel that, although the story had some very serious points, it was lightweight in parts and consequently I enjoyed it but wasn't thrilled by it. Saying that, I would read the author again so it hasn't effected me in that respect.