From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

The Inheritance of Loss

Kiran Desai

Start date: December 15, 2010

Finish date: January 15, 2011

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Carol

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Reading List

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last updated Jun 20, 2025 08:37AM

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What Members Thought

Nov 07, 2010 Katy rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

I enjoyed reading The Inheritance of Loss, but I found it uneven. I thought the descriptions were quite good, capturing the essence of each place - whether the beauty of the Himalayas or the scuzziness of New York. Her characters too, were well done, authentic and real. I liked them and cared about them, but there wasn't much of a story. And there was too little explanation of the reasons for the political anarchy in that province. ...more

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Dec 26, 2010 Mary Ellen rated it really liked it

In a relatively short novel, Desai hits themes of immigration, clash of cultures, love, betrayal, integrity, and, yes, loss. She gets us inside many of her characters, keeping them from becoming so many lively stereotypes. And she has an amazing gift for descriptive pose. This is not an upbeat read, but it is rich with life.

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