Such a Long Journey
by Rohinton Mistry
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 501)
Read in July, 2008
I liked this one more than _Family Matters_ but less than _A Fine Balance_. This one is less Bombay-centered, and more generally about India under Indira Gandhi's rule--but without being heavy-handed about the historical and political aspects. What I like most about Mistry is that he's such a gifted storyteller in a simple, detailed (and totally engrossing) way, without having to resort to any of the acrobatics or stylistic maneuvers of someone like Rushdie. As much as I love Rushdie, it's nice ...more
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Such an engrossing book...and I learned so much from it! This is the second Mistry book I have read, the first being A Fine Balance. I am in awe of his writing skills and his expansive knowledge. (But just as with A Fine Balance, I wish he did not make the disgusting so aptly disgusting--I could actually smell the dirt and the squalor by just reading the passages describing that!)
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
everyone
Rohinton Mistry's first novel. It's grand. There is a hard-to-find movie, made in Canada, based on it. I saw the movie several years after reading the novel, and loved it. It's a very close adaptation of this great book about a mish-mash collection of people living in very close quarters in a small apartment complex in Bombay.
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Read in January, 2008
recommended to John by:
Alecerecommends it for: People you like even though their religion is incorrect in your opinion
A not epic, but still dramatic, story about pain and death and hope and politics. [Rohinton Mistry] has an energetic and realistic voice that has characteristics shared by other subcontinental writers but is all his own in this domestic story of faith, friendship, and grief that can be appreciated by anyone on many levels.
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Read in January, 2008
I was fascinated. I had thought, erroneously, that Indira Gandhi had been an "exemplary" Prime Minister...a fine example of a woman with great power. I found that she was an unscrupulous power monger elected and reelected by a corrupt political machine. She reminds me of someone. NEVERMIND! Now I'm wondering about Golda...
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
...see the movie
..this was one of Mistry's earlier novels. If you are interested in the political changes in India associated with the rise of the Siv Sena, then read the book, however, I read this after his latter novels, and after I saw the film, which is much better, perhaps that is why I wasn't too motivated to finish it.
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
anyone
Set in India a man is trying to raise his family and do what is right. Through an old friend he is drawn into the world of political intrigue. He is also trying to deal with the difficulties of raising teenagers. The characters in this book are rich and complex. It is a wonder insight into life in India.
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Really engrossing book that doesn't follow a conventional narrative format. Rather than having a build-up, climax, and denouement, it follows the the ups and downs of a family going through a difficult period in an incredibly detailed and interesting way.
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Not quite as good as "A Fine Balance" but still a really good read. Interesting to learn a bit about the Parsi community in India, but the characters are also really endearing. In my opinion the second best Mistry novel.
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Read in March, 2007
Not quite up to the standards of his later novels, but still a moving and evocative story of a family living in smelly, chaotic, fascinating Mumbai during the 1970s. Highly recommended, as are all of Mistry's books.
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Read in January, 2005
A funny story about a family and their apartment building neighbours (love the idea), crazy in the way that only India can be. It's fun and light, while exposing truths about the country during the era.
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Read in January, 2007
Based in India during the Indira Ghandhi years. Interesting mix of cultural, mystical, and religious beliefs of regular people in times of great corruption and change for the Indian state.
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Shirls by:
book club
Not as good as A Fine Balance but it would be very hard to top that novel. Mistry's characters and recurring themes keep you drawn in. Highly recommended author.
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Read in April, 2008
The characters were not as engaging as Mistry's previous gem, A Fine Balance. Overall, I found this book disappointing. Perhaps I expected too much.
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5 comments
Great book. This author has a gift for the small details that really bring the blight and struggle of living in a big, complicated city to life.
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Wonderful look at the life of Dedication and Love of a father for his son, his neighbor, and a political outcast. Readers will laugh and weep.
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Read in August, 2006
Story of Eastern Indian families concern-involvement during the reign of Indira Ghandi/Nehru. Strong family ties, nobility and loyalty....
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Read in July, 2007
Another amazing book from my favorite author. Read this or "a fine balance" first. It doesn't matter. They are both excellent.
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Read in April, 2008
About a collection of people living in a small apartment complex in India - I wish I had a wall like that one near my home.
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Another Rohinton Mistry masterpiece. I just think his books are great literature. Interwoven stories and great characters.
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