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A Small Fortune
An entertaining debut novel reminiscent of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth that explores the lives of an extended Pakistani family of immigrants in London—all with a gently humorous touch and fond but wry eye
Harris, the presumed patriarch of his large extended family in both England and Pakistan, has unexpectedly received a �small fortune” from his divorce settlement with an En...more
Harris, the presumed patriarch of his large extended family in both England and Pakistan, has unexpectedly received a �small fortune” from his divorce settlement with an En...more
Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
May 24th 2012
by Riverhead Hardcover
(first published February 1st 2012)
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As I began reading this book, I was expecting it to be rather like Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, a Pakistani-infused Pym-esque study of village life. That is not at all what this book is! Yes, there are moments of Pym like humor and examination of relationships, but the anguish of the three major characters is so palpable as to make this a not entirely comfortable reading experience. Harris, his daughter Alia and cousin-"nephew" Rashid are all at crossroads in their lives, and each feels pressur...more
As an American, the Pakistani culture and British references kept me interested, but also made it difficult for me to relate or connect with the characters. While there were small glimmers of joy, most of the novel had a dark and tense mood. Most of the characters were completely unlikable; they ranged from despicable to pitiful to secretive and closed off. It's a story of a family, but instead of warmth and love, there is obligation and manipulation. I read to the end in the hope of a resolutio...more
Set in modern day England, this novel is the story of Harris, his relatives, his background and culture, and how his life effects others. Harris is, somewhat, recently divorced and has moved to North England (not being familiar with England, I'm fairly certain this a ways north of London, but don't know for sure).
Haaris (originally from Pakistan) married an English woman when he was fresh out of college. Even though he was betrothed to another, he found her a suitable man to marry, stayed in Eng...more
Haaris (originally from Pakistan) married an English woman when he was fresh out of college. Even though he was betrothed to another, he found her a suitable man to marry, stayed in Eng...more
I like to read books about Pakistani families in the Western world. This one...not so much. It was a bit drawn out and did not live up to the description I initially read on Amazon. I thought it was going to be more humorous and entertaining. Ultimately I found it to be rather drab, overcast and dreary; just like the weather in London(where the story takes place). There are the usual dilemmas about the unwed marriageable daughter, the sickly, poor relatives back home and the opportunistic cousin...more
I loved this book, a debut novel about Pakistani immigrants in London and the various ways they live their dreams (or don't) and their faith (or don't). It's a great family drama, filled with warmth and humor but also insight into the immigrant experience. When Harris receives a large sum of money, he promises it to his impoverished relatives back in Pakistan and then impulsively gives it, instead, to his well-to-do but always conniving cousin in London. This book gives you the spectrum--from th...more
I rarely give 4 stars, but I very much enjoyed this book. I really can't draw a synopsis any better than the blurb on the back cover of the ARC, excepting to say the character development was smooth, complete, and very real. Dastgir drew me into the complexities of a culture I, sadly to say, don't know too much about, only to help me remember that culture aside, humanity is the same the world over. This book has a timeless quality to it, and I hope it becomes required reading for American studen...more
http://wineandabook.com/2012/07/23/re...
Real talk: I’ve been putting off writing this review of Rosie Dastgir’s A Small Fortune because, honestly, I had a really hard time finishing it. Not because the text was complex or emotionally taxing…just the opposite, actually. The writing itself was a bit wonky and the tone of the piece was fairly static. A lot happens in the story, but due to what came across to me as issues with character development, the narrative didn’t seem to progress anywhere tha...more
Real talk: I’ve been putting off writing this review of Rosie Dastgir’s A Small Fortune because, honestly, I had a really hard time finishing it. Not because the text was complex or emotionally taxing…just the opposite, actually. The writing itself was a bit wonky and the tone of the piece was fairly static. A lot happens in the story, but due to what came across to me as issues with character development, the narrative didn’t seem to progress anywhere tha...more
Lucky me! This ARC was sent to me from the publisher. A charming story about a Pakistani Muslim gentleman named Harris, who comes into a little money after a divorce. His "Small Fortune" soon becomes more of a burden as various friends and family have difficulties in their lives. Whom should he choose to help with this financial gift?
We get to meet various characters in this story. Harris's emotionally and culturally distant daughter Alia and her live in boyfriend. A friend/business associate N...more
We get to meet various characters in this story. Harris's emotionally and culturally distant daughter Alia and her live in boyfriend. A friend/business associate N...more
I had some mixed feelings about this novel. It is well written about a Pakistani family and the struggles about commitment to family expectations, obligations, Islamic religious belief interpretations and life in general. I felt both frustration and sorrow for the main character who allows himself to be manipulated by his family and his beliefs. On the plus side, it is an interesting look into Islamic life outside of the homeland.
I received an advanced proof of this book in exchange for an hones...more
I received an advanced proof of this book in exchange for an hones...more
I'm drawn to stories of south Asians who have emigrated to the UK or USA so that alone drew me to this story. The Muslim Pakistani experience is less familiar to me so that was also a plus. This is not necessarily the upper crust educated Muslim extended family life although some characters are well educated. It's the family foibles and some character flaws that kept my interest. All in all a good story.
I won this book through goodreads giveaways.
I really enjoyed Rosie style of writing. I felt that it flow perfectly. I think that she tells a beautiful story. I did not think that the main theme was about the money like the back of the book suggests. I think it was more about the family and the different dynamics and personalities. I understand where Rosie wanted to go with the money but I think it feel short. There are long stretches were the money was not even discussed and I think those were b...more
I really enjoyed Rosie style of writing. I felt that it flow perfectly. I think that she tells a beautiful story. I did not think that the main theme was about the money like the back of the book suggests. I think it was more about the family and the different dynamics and personalities. I understand where Rosie wanted to go with the money but I think it feel short. There are long stretches were the money was not even discussed and I think those were b...more
This saga about an extended family from Pakistan trying to make it in England had more bite than I expected. I started reading thinking this would be one of those predictable, "heartwarming" family books with a happy ending (i.e. cliched and boring), but I got sucked into this family's difficult problems. The divorced patriarch struggles with deep depression while his nephew falls under the charismatic pull of an imam planning terrorist attacks. I enjoyed this nuanced and bleak family drama, tho...more
Won this book March 31, 2012. It is now 2013 and I still haven't received it. I contacted the host of the giveaway last year and they never responded. I guess I'll chalk this one up to my first won but didn't receive book. :(
When the book never arrived I checked with the local library and decided to rent a copy. For a book I was so excited to read I was majorly disappointed. What had appeared to be a fun, whimsical book based on the cover was anything but. I felt the story line, particularly abo...more
When the book never arrived I checked with the local library and decided to rent a copy. For a book I was so excited to read I was majorly disappointed. What had appeared to be a fun, whimsical book based on the cover was anything but. I felt the story line, particularly abo...more
A Small Fortune by Rosie Dastigir. Harris was living the good life in Southeast England married to an Englishwoman but his circumstances changed with his divorce. Now he lives near his Pakistani relatives in the north, in a town he dislikes and a house that will never feel like home. His relatives convinced him to buy a small shop, an endeavor that does not suit at all. Harris is a devout Muslim, when he comes into a small fortune from his divorce settlement he feels he must share his wealth. Be...more
When a Pakistani immigrant in England comes into a sum of money following a divorce, he must decide what to do with it and with the remainder of his life. This is a fairly typical story of an immigrant's family loyalties, need to assimilate and distress over a daughter's unwillingness to follow the plan he has imagined for her.
This immigrant saga was a big hit for me; I think part of the reason why it rises above some of the others is that Dastgir gives equal footing to the flaws of both the immigrant and the "acculturated" generation. That balance is typically hard to find.
An heartfelt and charming novel about cross-culturalism and multi-generational family relationships, moving between the UK and Pakistan. Touching on themes such as loyalty, success, and familial obligation, Dastgir offers a rich and engaging debut novel.
Blech! I really thought I would like this book- the story line seemed interesting. But in the end it was horribly paced. The only "suspense" was about the "small fortune", which is disposed of early on in the book. Everything was so very stereotypical that there was really no value in the book.
Beautiful and poignant novel of triumphs and tragedies. All of us can relate to the story of finding our own identity as we struggle with history, culture and our family background.
Interesting. Another enlightening view into the culture of middle eastern families. The main character was frustratingly gullible, naive and passive for most of the book.
Aug 19, 2012
Rocky
added it
I was notified on March 31st that I won a copy of this from Goodreads First Reads. As of August 19, 2012 I have still not received my book.
Apr 25, 2012
Laura
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
fans of Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran
Recommended to Laura by:
arc
Shelves:
contemporary-fiction-book-club
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Harris and his extended family as they prosper, flounder, fail and come back together and how thier Pakistani-Muslim way of life is interpreted and misinterpreted. This is the Pakistani/British version of Alex George's A Good American except where George's characters seek to become "good Americans", Dastgir's people struggle to remain "good Muslims" while trying to find ways to prosper in their adopted country.
This was an interesting book for me. I know so little about the lives of immigrants in England, it taught me a lot. Also, this book was very easy to read. I think I'm going to recommend it to my oldest daughter's lit teacher:)
Well done story of family ties, cultural ties, loss and love and depression.
I won this book from GoodReads as a FirstReads giveaway. Review upon completion.
great story line but was a little sluggish in spots.
I received this book through goodreads first reads
This book is not usually the type of book I read. I was drawn to this book through the cover art. I did enjoy it. The characters were a little dismal. I did like that the novel was very much character driven. The novel is low key, there isn't much action or intense plot. But is well written and I didn't find any moments that were dull. All in all if this is the type of book you like to read I think it'll be well worth the read.
This book is not usually the type of book I read. I was drawn to this book through the cover art. I did enjoy it. The characters were a little dismal. I did like that the novel was very much character driven. The novel is low key, there isn't much action or intense plot. But is well written and I didn't find any moments that were dull. All in all if this is the type of book you like to read I think it'll be well worth the read.
This was an advanced reader copy from the publisher.
I liked the book well enough, but I just kept waiting for it to climax and I never got that feeling. It was an interesting tangle of lives of a family. I found the description of the different cultures interesting as well. I was pretty disappointed with the ending, though. It didn't give me any resolution really… just sad.
I liked the book well enough, but I just kept waiting for it to climax and I never got that feeling. It was an interesting tangle of lives of a family. I found the description of the different cultures interesting as well. I was pretty disappointed with the ending, though. It didn't give me any resolution really… just sad.
This novel explores relationships involving a Pakistani immigrant to England, his daughter (whose mother is English), and his extended family. I enjoyed it and it reminds me of the novels of Zadie Smith--but I thought "On Beauty" by Smith had more depth.
A beautifully written book filled with well thought out characters and an emotional depth that will keep readers wanting to know more about the struggles, joys, misunderstandings and complications of being Pakistani immigrants in the UK.
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Rosie Dastgir was born in England to a Pakistani father and an English mother. She was educated at Oxford and New York University and now lives in Brooklyn.
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Sep 15, 2012 02:24pm