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The Inheritance of Loss

Kiran Desai

Discussion: Books Set in Asia

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Books Set in Asia

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By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 25 posts · 898 views

last updated Oct 16, 2020 08:08PM

Malaysia
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last updated Jul 10, 2025 12:37PM

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What Members Thought

Dec 03, 2009 Susan rated it it was ok

I waivered between 2 and 3 stars until I came to the "non-ending." That settled it. ...more

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Feb 15, 2009 Stephanie rated it really liked it

Kiran Desai has an unique and interesting style. Set near the Himalayas on the Indian side of Nepal's border, Desai writes about Indian people's difficulty finding a place in their family, society, country, and the world. ...more

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May 08, 2008 Kaley rated it it was ok

Heartbreakingly depressing from the start right to the finish. A lot of politics and references to unrest and warfare that I don't know much about; but it was a little overwhelming and very difficult to understand. The writing was a little choppy... jumped around a lot. I felt like I was reading in a fog. The characters were hollow, and I didn't really care what happened to them in the end. This book was a chore to get through. I kept wishing I wasn't so darn stubborn because I really wanted to ...more

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Feb 29, 2008 Kathie rated it really liked it

"In a crumbling, isolated house at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas, lives an embittered judge who wants only to retire in peace from a world he has found too messy for justice, when his orphaned granddaughter, Sai, arrives on his doorstep. The judge's cook watches over her distractedly, for his thoughts are claimed by his son, Biju, who is hopscotching from one gritty New York restaurant to another, trying to stay a step ahead of the INS on an elusive search for a green card that ...more

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Apr 17, 2014 Wes F rated it liked it

Another Indian writer with some real story-telling talent. Amazing writing, though the story for me lagged at times.

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Feb 02, 2008 Jessica rated it it was ok

Shelves: modern-lit, india

While there are some pretty descriptions of the ceiling of the world, the narrative thread never seemed to come together for me - not as good as I'd hoped for. ...more

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