A Breath of Fresh Air (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

by Amulya Malladi
A Breath of Fresh Air (Ballantine Reader's Circle)  
published 2003 by Ballantine Books
binding Paperback
isbn 0345450299   (isbn13: 9780345450296)
pages 240
description On the night of December 3, 1984, Anjali waits for her army officer husband to pick her up at the train station in Bhopal, India. In an instant, her world changes forever. Her anger at his being late turns to horror when a catastrophic gas leak poisons the city air. Anjali miraculously survives. Her marriage does not.

...more
date added
02-14-07



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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 107)



Anna
Anna rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
02/11/08

Read in January, 2005
This was the last book by Amulya Malladi I read, and she doesn't disappoint. The books explores two hardships that one may encounter in Indian literature; the Bhopal tragedy at the Union Carbide plant, and the process of divorce. The story takes place entirely in India, unlike The Mango Season and Serving Crazy With Curry. As an engineer, I was drilled in plant safety: the ...more
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Ivet
Ivet rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
12/31/07

I Dance

Well, there's nothing much to dancing. I personally don't dance, but I dance. I guess you sway with the music. It'll come naturally. You don't fight against it. The rhythem just moves you. It's simple when there's passion. It's simple when there's pleasure. It won't let you down. There's nothing to it. You just sway with the music. And when the music turns left, you follow the beat. And if it swings right, you go on ahead. There's nothing to dancing really. Even though I...more
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Crystal
Crystal rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
07/28/07

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in July, 2007
recommends it for: Stephanie
Easy read. Conversational. Switches viewpoints between characters throughout the book. It's about forgiveness, the culture of India, divorce, unexpected events and finding peace with present circumstances despite the complex difficulties of life challenges. Survival and bravery for relationships, self identity and dealing with the past. Accepting the present and finding the future.
I don't think this book was grammatically correct.
Typo on page 179. Anybody else catch that?
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Jenny
Jenny rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
11/07/07

Read in November, 2007
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was one that I couldn't quite put down (I read it on line at Whole Foods) and felt was a perfect mix (for my taste) - Indian culture, old and new, a mix in of some true historical events, and a woman's story about her marrige... I'm ready to read this author's next one! I'd compare it to The Space Between Us, but even liked this better.
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DMD
DMD rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
04/10/08

Read in April, 2008
It was an unusual story with the premise based on the protagonist undergoing and epiphany during the Bhopal gas disaster. Although I enjoyed reading it, this complete turnaround in character didn't ring true. I prefer Malladi's later books, The Mango Season and Serving Crazy with Curry, but I would classify those more in the desi chick lit arena.
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Fidi
01/16/08

Read in November, 2006
Well written. I like the issues it faces about modern culture clashing with classic Indian values. The narration is in first person from all the major players in this book. The last few lines will really move you. If you begin to read it, even if you don't like it that much, you MUST read it to the end. It's worth it. I loved it.
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A.J.
A.J. rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
12/04/07

bookshelves: ok-notgreat
Read in June, 2006
A good story, not the best writing. Has some suprising plot twists and does a decent job of discussing a women's role in traditional Indian households and it's many complexities.
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Malini
Malini rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
05/13/08

Read in May, 2008
What an excellent book. I couldnt remember reading this so picked it up yesterday and I couldnt keep it down! I was crying at the end....
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Jennie
Jennie rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/01/08

Read in April, 2004
This one really made me think about forgiveness and my ability to forgive someone who did wrong to me.
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mellymel
mellymel rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
05/12/08

I like her other book The Sound of Language better. This one had deep themes, but was pretty light.
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Shanya
Shanya rated it: 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
01/31/08

best book ever, get the tissues out
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Kelly
Kelly marked it as to-read
12/05/07

bookshelves: to-read
 

Amy
Amy rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
05/31/07

 

Jessica
Jessica rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
02/28/08

 

CherryDarling
CherryDarling marked it as to-read
01/11/08

bookshelves: to-read
 

Pattee
Pattee added it
11/11/07

 

Aileen
12/24/07

bookshelves: favorites
 

Nikki
Nikki rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
08/20/07

bookshelves: bookclub
Read in March, 2004
 

Koyal
Koyal rated it: 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars
01/31/08

Read in January, 2008
 

maryam
maryam rated it: 3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars
04/27/07

 


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book data (includes all editions)

avg rating (all editions): 3.83 (75 ratings)
avg rating (this edition): 3.86 (66 ratings)
number of reviews: 11






other editions

A Breath of Fresh Air (Hardcover)
A Breath of Fresh Air (Paperback)