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18th out of 92 books
—
131 voters
A Breath of Fresh Air
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.
A smart, successful schoolteacher, Anjali is now remarr...more
A smart, successful schoolteacher, Anjali is now remarr...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
June 3rd 2003
by Ballantine Books
(first published 2002)
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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 Bhopal tragedy, caused by a bad design that allowed a pressure build-up and rupture of the methylisocyanate (or MIC) tanks...more
Amulya Malladi wrote this novel based on the tragedy in Bhopal, India. The gas leaked claimed 16,000 people and many survivors had to life with the long-term effects of the exposure to the gas.
The Breath of Fresh Air was literary about breathing fresh air for Anjali and for her son. It was also about an arranged marriage and the question, would an arranged marriage work?
For Anjali, there was no question about it. Everybody that she knew had arranged marriages and their marriages lasted.
It began...more
The Breath of Fresh Air was literary about breathing fresh air for Anjali and for her son. It was also about an arranged marriage and the question, would an arranged marriage work?
For Anjali, there was no question about it. Everybody that she knew had arranged marriages and their marriages lasted.
It began...more
I cried like a freaking baby! Much different than her other book The Mango Season in tone but both books deal with human emotion and all the complexities therein and what happens when life doesn't turn out exactly like you (and your family) planned. If you are interested in Indian fiction and love a good cry, this is a good one.
On the night of the Bhopal gas tragedy, Anjali waited in a Bhopal train station, her arrival forgotten by her adulterous husband. The suffering she witnessed and experienced that night left her with lingering physical and emotional wounds, and while Anjali survived, her marriage did not.
Once a superficial but dutiful wife, Anjali had been thrilled with the status her talented military officer husband provided her. But life as a military wife brought her into contact with diversity previously un...more
Once a superficial but dutiful wife, Anjali had been thrilled with the status her talented military officer husband provided her. But life as a military wife brought her into contact with diversity previously un...more
On the night of December 3, 1984, Anjali waits for her Army officer husband to pick her up at Bhopal Railway Station. The delay in his picking her up changes her life forever, when the catastrophic gas leak poisons the city. She manages to survive but her marriage does not. That night in the poisonous city, changed her life in more ways than one, and as she later came to realize, in ways that would affect her lifelong.
Years later, remarried to Sandeep, and mother to Amar, a young boy who is seve...more
Years later, remarried to Sandeep, and mother to Amar, a young boy who is seve...more
I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't really impressed by it. Certain things did impress me, but overall there were more things that bothered me about the telling of the story.
I guess I'll start with the things I did like. The flow of the author's prose and dialogue were done very well. I envy her actually. As a writer I want that kind of quality to my prose. It just seemed to have a nice rhythm.
I also liked the historical accuracy and the attention to detail as far as the medical conditions of Anj...more
I guess I'll start with the things I did like. The flow of the author's prose and dialogue were done very well. I envy her actually. As a writer I want that kind of quality to my prose. It just seemed to have a nice rhythm.
I also liked the historical accuracy and the attention to detail as far as the medical conditions of Anj...more
This story takes many of the customs in India and weaves it into a story about learning, freedom, independence, and love.
Anjali is a divorced women, a status that her culture looks down upon. Even her parents blame her for the failure of her marriage. But after trying to naively make her marriage work, Anjali is pushed to think about her own life first when her first husband forgets to pick her up at the train station the night of a gas attack. Paired with his adultery, Anjali leaves him.
Years...more
Anjali is a divorced women, a status that her culture looks down upon. Even her parents blame her for the failure of her marriage. But after trying to naively make her marriage work, Anjali is pushed to think about her own life first when her first husband forgets to pick her up at the train station the night of a gas attack. Paired with his adultery, Anjali leaves him.
Years...more
Was a good read, though I didnot like it as much as Mango season by the same author. It was a poignant tale entwining Bhopal tragedy and Indira Gandhi's assassination with an infidel husband and a wife with a backbone, who decides to leave him and build a life for herself, little knowing that a few accidental moments of her past will haunt her future and affect her child. I liked the characters, though there were too many incidents occuring at the same time. I would recommend this to all Indian...more
Powerful! You will be in tears by the end! A true thought provoking book about what it means to forgive! Also a great look at the role of women in Indian society and the taboos of divorce. Makes me thank every feminist who fought for women's rights every time I read quotes from Anju's mom about her sexual responsibilities to her husband!
Also loved the narratives of both husbands-it pitted you one against the other and gave you an insight into the minds of two very different men. Who was right a...more
Also loved the narratives of both husbands-it pitted you one against the other and gave you an insight into the minds of two very different men. Who was right a...more
3.5 stars
This is the story of Anjali telling the story of her two marriages to Sandeep and his previous husband Prakash.
The central plot concerns Prakash had forgotten to pick up Anjali in the railway station to take her home which was the night of the Bhopal gas tragedy (December 3, 1984) - the gas explosion from the Union Carbide factory.
Both Anjali and her son Amar will suffer the consequences of Prakash's irresponsibility act.
This is a very touching story told by 4 narrators which are the ma...more
This is the story of Anjali telling the story of her two marriages to Sandeep and his previous husband Prakash.
The central plot concerns Prakash had forgotten to pick up Anjali in the railway station to take her home which was the night of the Bhopal gas tragedy (December 3, 1984) - the gas explosion from the Union Carbide factory.
Both Anjali and her son Amar will suffer the consequences of Prakash's irresponsibility act.
This is a very touching story told by 4 narrators which are the ma...more
1 like · like · see review
(214 pgs.) Malldadi's first book, a quick read; the story of Anjali, Sandeep, Amar (their son), and Anjali's ex-husband Prakash. This story takes place in India and has lots of local colour. Sadly the book has two graphic sexual scenes, otherwise I would have highly recommended this book. It is a story about Indian culture, a tragic accident and how it affects everyone. I would NOT recommend this book.
Great read, very moving story hadn't expected the ending. It read slightly like a script for a Bollywood movie, would have been
Good to get to see more of some if the characters of the story. I would like to understand more of how she survives and I didn't really believe prakash's reasons for his behaviour. Having said all that it's a very enjoyable read and I'll be trying more from this author.
Good to get to see more of some if the characters of the story. I would like to understand more of how she survives and I didn't really believe prakash's reasons for his behaviour. Having said all that it's a very enjoyable read and I'll be trying more from this author.
I didn't like this one quite as much as 'Serving Crazy with Curry', that one really gripped me. But this one was good, I guess the tone was just a bit quieter. If I'd read it first, I probably wouldn't miss her style in 'curry' as much.
I'd had no idea that the Bhopal tragedy caused birth defects afterward, it's all so despicable and tragic.
I'd had no idea that the Bhopal tragedy caused birth defects afterward, it's all so despicable and tragic.
Very readable. As a non-Indian, it gave a glimpse into some aspects of that culture, which always helps to broaden understanding in our own relationships with people from other cultural backgrounds. It also showed how alike we are with universal themes in terms of family relationships, the healing that goes with forgiveness, and the strong bonds of friendship.
Sep 03, 2011
Mala Singh
added it
I really enjoyed reading this book. It took me back to a time that was so challenging and extremely difficult for indian women. This book depicts that days back when equality was not a word people used when speaking of men and women.
Anjali gets caught up in the gas leak in Bhopal, India and the story flicks between the lead up to the catastrophe and her later, second marriage to Sandeep. Not terribly well written but the story is interesting and the ending moving.
Had heard a lot about the promising new writer Amulya Malladi, but her "A Breath of Fresh Air", the story takes its plot from the Bhopal Gas tragedy. The narrative drags at times and overall impact is insipid.
Fallout from the Bhopal gas tragedy in India as seen from one victims perspective. Also deals with role of women in India. A f
Good read. Fast and simple if that's what you Afe in the mood for
Good read. Fast and simple if that's what you Afe in the mood for
Short, easy and enjoyable book to read ...! Found it a bit bittersweet ... teaches you some tough lessons about impact of one persons childishness to a lot of people around him and beyond!
Fictional story of a woman caught in the Bhopal accident. Shows how selfish choices can lead to tragic unintended consequences. Also somewhat addresses learning to forgive.
Hmm.. I have mixed feelings with the book. The characters were not deep enough yet the plot and premise grabbed me as I lived in India through these times.A short and quick red
The author makes it a point to explain in detail of what happened to one victim of the Bhopal gas tragedy,years after the attack...a sad story but with a touching ending.
May 11, 2011
Mhoira Tennison
added it
A Breath of Fresh Air is a good book and compliments The Mango Season quite nicely. It discusses the customs of Indian Marriage and relationships that occur in a modern setting.
very easy read, would have been better had i known more indian terms and words
but a good story about a strong women who went against all Indian tradition
but a good story about a strong women who went against all Indian tradition
I really enjoyed the structure of this book, with viewpoints from very different characters. The historic references as the backdrop were fascinating, too.
I'm not one to generally describe a book as heartbreaking, but this one really is. A well-written example of how lives and events intertwine to change everything.
Read with a kleenex, for sure! Very interesting story, plus I enjoy reading books about women from different cultures. A quick read!
Loved this story from India---but dismayed by the treatment of women, once again. And can a person really change? (library)
I returned home from the library with this book about five o'clock this evening. I've finished it in just a few hours. I could not put it down. Anjali's heartache leapt off the page. I was/am profoundly affected by the sadness of this woman's life. I would recommend this book to anyone feeling needlessly sorry for themselves and in need of a reality check. I could barely read the last pages through my tears as my healthy, beautiful children played alongside me. Although I can't shake the sadness...more
Very good. Was an assignment in women's literature perspective class -- well worth reading
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Amulya Malladi is the author of five novels. She was born and raised in India and graduated with a bachelor's degree in engineering from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India. She received a master's degree in journalism from The University of Memphis, Tennessee, USA. After living in the United States for several years, Amulya now lives in Copenhagen, Denmark with her husband and two sons.
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“I had always thought that the relationships we make strangers are the hardest and the relationships we have with family the easiest. For me the opposite had been true. The family I was born into was not really my family anymore, while the family I made for myself out of strangers was mine.”
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Jun 01, 2012 12:13pm