A Fine Balance
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This is an exceptional book!
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This was an engrossing book, but I think it's also one of the most depressing books I've ever read. It all just seemed so hopeless. I kept thinking about why these people even bothered to keep living. What a sad, horrible way to have to live. I'll never read this book again. But it certainly has made me look at my life in a different way. I feel truly fortunate and blessed.
Life of dina as described by the book may seem very sad to the extent of questioning her future existence however her courage needs to be applauded. Her will to live by her dignified means during an emergency period was hurting. I have not yet finished but I'am looking forward to it.
I agree, Benita, this story seemed to show how some people are resilient and keep trying with courage, hope, and creative solutions, no matter what life throws at them (and in this book, everything was thrown at them!) And then others give up when they actually, in comparison, have so much going for them. This story can seem to be totally depressing or it can show that one should never give up.
one of the most beautiful books I have ever read.
one of the most amazing book I have read ever !I used to have trouble putting that book down ><"
Awesome book...I couldn't put it down. The writing itself captured me from the first page on and then the story just took over everything...if only all books could stir the senses like that!
Absolutely the best book I have read in years, and I have read some fantastic books. But this is a masterpiece of 19th century realism brought into the 21st century. I just finished reading it and I am haunted by the richness of the language, the humanity (warts and all) of the characters, the beauty of the descriptions, the resilience of human kind. A book to be read and read again.
This book was so beautifully written. The characters deep with a winding and engrossing story to their lives. Why then - was the ending so - excuse me - LOUSY. Really - couldn't this author have written a more satisfying ending? I get that this was a lesson in India and the true life of people there - but it was also a novel. I was so disappointed by the ending that it overshadows the beautifully written and developed story forever in my memory. I will not read it again.
Anyone who found this book interesting might also like The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.The White Tiger
Try 'Two Lives' by Vikram Seth... it is a wonderful tale about his uncle (Indian) and his aunt Henny (German Jew during the Holocaust). Non-fiction, completely true.
Corinne wrote: "Absolutely the best book I have read in years, and I have read some fantastic books. But this is a masterpiece of 19th century realism brought into the 21st century. I just finished reading it an..."Try 'Two Lives' by Vikram Seth... it is a wonderful tale about his uncle (Indian) and his aunt Henny (German Jew during the Holocaust). Non-fiction, completely true.
Naty wrote: "Caroline wrote: "I feel the same way as Naty. I read it several years ago, and it gripped me from beginning to end, but it has to be the most depressing book I've ever read and it's unlikely I'll ..."Try 'Two Lives' by Vikram Seth... it is a wonderful tale about his uncle (Indian) and his aunt Henny (German Jew during the Holocaust). Non-fiction, completely true. It is not depressing despite being tragic. It is a book that looks forward with hope beneath its wings
I agree with Miss Melly; I enjoyed Q & A as well, though A Fine Balance is the book I cherish above all others. The first time I read it I managed to finish it in three days, and was so blown away by the writing that I immediately read it again. The scale of the story is enormous; I’ve only ever seen one review which attempted to describe the plot; not surprising since at its heart this book describes the history of India throughout the twentieth century and yet the whole thing remains extremely human. It’s as dark and deeply depressing as it is funny. I reread A Fine Balance every couple of years to immerse myself in the lives of the wonderful characters again, and to remind myself how amazing good writing can be.
Brilliant. Loved the subtle dalliances into real poverty.
This was one of the most moving books I've read. The ending really upset me because I was looking forward to a happy ending ,( hard work and determination triumphing after all the hardships the characters went through and all).I was sad for a while after reading it. It reminded me of Russian novels.
One of the saddest, and most beautiful novels I've ever read.
Shourie wrote: "This is the guide to the essential way of life in India, where change seems to have assumed a role so quasi-static that you tend to notice that something has changed so radically only after a span ..."Totally agree about the hope. I absolutely loved this book although it saddened me immensely and made me quite depressed about the state of humanity as a whole, because of course a lot of us from developing nations do know about it and do nothing because you feel so powerless. But on the other hand, I felt a great sense of hope both from this book, the books of Vikram Seth and other Indian authors I have read, that Indian people are still so immensely resilient and never seem to give up hope. Not sure if I could in the circumstances. On the other hand, what's the choice?
Mary wrote: "Anyone who found this book interesting might also like The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.The White Tiger"I can also recommend this book. It's not as good as A Fine Balance, but as it's set in a more recent time shows that not that much has changed for the better for India's poor.
The end broke my heart. An amazing book, extremely well written. The author does an amazing job of portraying each character and the relationships they share with each other such that you feel you know them intimately. That's why the end broke my heart. I felt a deep sense of loss and injustice and helplessness.
I discovered this book watching Oprah. One of the best books I had ever read! The book had many moments of hope and joy and very hard and depressing times. I felt like I was on the adventure of a lifetime just to survive.
A Fine Balance is my all time favourite book, which is strange considering how depressing it can get. I followed it up by reading The Peacock's Throne by Sujit Saraf which seems to fit in a timeline sense.
I loved loved loved that book when I read it quite a few years ago.Before that, I had read the book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins about the independence of India from the British and the creation of Pakistan. It helped me understand about a merchant (the father of one character) who looses his shop because it is now on the other side of the frontier and belongs now to Pakistan.
I was working as a nurse in a university hospital then. When I finished the book I questioned a young doctor who was on a fellowship, he was from India. I told him about the book and asked if it was really like that. He was a very gentle and quiet man. He listened carefully to what I said and I will never forget his answer. He said "It is exactly like that and that is why my wife and I want to go back. Because the tiny drop we can put into the ocean, we hope can make a difference and we want to contribute helping our fellowmen." I felt so much respect for that man.
My mom found the book at a used bookstore and brought it up for me to read. I did NOT expect it to be as fantastic as it was. I was simply not prepared for it. And days after having finished it, I'm still thinking about it and (interally) crying for our poor characters.
But yes, I agree with everyone. Wow. This novel. Like wow. I learned so many things about India I really did not know. He really made us feel like we were THERE. I felt like i could smell/hear everything on the streets, it was amazing.
And of course, the characters. The ending killed me. Unforgettable novel! Definitely a book that will still have an impact on me years from now.
i read this book and loved it. Having said that, I could never read it again, it is far too depressing to go through the same emotions again. But hats off to Rohinston Mistry, I have read family matters and enjoyed it immensely. I like the way he gets under the skin of the parsi mindset and shows it up through his story. wow.
A great book with a very gripping front cover.
Bruce wrote: "A great book with a very gripping front cover."Yes, it is!...love the front cover art.
Katy wrote: "A Fine Balance is my all time favourite book, which is strange considering how depressing it can get. I followed it up by reading The Peacock's Throne by Sujit Saraf which seems to fit in a timelin..."Mine, too.
Loved, loved this book, very sad at the end and agree I don't think I could read it again. It is well written and the characters are so endearing, I would recommend it highly.
Michael wrote: "Katy wrote: "A Fine Balance is my all time favourite book, which is strange considering how depressing it can get. I followed it up by reading The Peacock's Throne by Sujit Saraf which seems to fit..."
Never, ever have I come across a book that I still find myself thinking about so many books down the line and after so much time after. I sometimes wonder if I will ever find another novel that has touched and stayed with me as this one has. I'm sure there are, I will just have to be lucky enough to find them! Each and every character was so strong I still find myself talking about them and they tend to cross my mind now and then.
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I understand how you feel; I know I won't read it again, but I can't get rid of it. Another thing is that is on my mind quite often. I cannot shake the characters and the story in general.