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eym's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meatspaceproblems's review against another edition
Well written but unpleasant in all ways. I didn’t like it but I don’t think you’re supposed to. It felt real and unfair and like life itself. Would not recommend but don’t regret finishing, although I wished for it to be over long before it was.
pujadev's review against another edition
1.0
I'm generally kinder to Indian books, I give them a leeway that I wouldn't ordinarily give to most western novelists. This book managed to cross over waaayyy to the other side of my forgiveness, the plot itself is intriguing and perhaps more universal than we are willing to admit, but the characters are cringe worthy and you find yourself loathing the victim and the perpetrator, without sympathizing with either.
noodal's review against another edition
3.0
Managed to squeeze this in right before the end of 2023! The first book I read this year was the original 2000 version, and I had made it my mission to end the year with the updated McNally edition to capture the poetry of refining oneself over the course of the year. This edition felt more like a director's cut in reverse (more succinct rather than with additional narrative detail): no major plot-shifting additions, more refinement than anything.
I found, through this sort of re-read, quotes and sentences that I liked, which upon checking on the original, I discovered were already there. Interesting how the simple editing of sentences can make surrounding sentences flourish. In re-exploring a new version did I find appreciation in the existing good of the work. Is change about retaining our positive qualities while shedding off the bad? And yet Karan himself does not follow this pattern as he ages.
Many factors go into a different experience beyond just the difference in content - time of reading (and mood), medium (Kindle vs physical), etc. This is also my first revisiting of a novel in some time.
I did feel like my previous experience with this story was stained by disgust over Karan, that I barely remember much of the other aspects of this story, including the shifts as a result of Rahjiv Gandhi's assassination. This brings about something I picked up in Thinking, Fast and Slow about the remembering self versus the experiencing self. Regardless, I was just as eager to rush through to end as I was at the beginning of the year. Some things may change, but others stay the same, I suppose.
On that note, happy new year and here's to many more chapters in 2024!
I found, through this sort of re-read, quotes and sentences that I liked, which upon checking on the original, I discovered were already there. Interesting how the simple editing of sentences can make surrounding sentences flourish. In re-exploring a new version did I find appreciation in the existing good of the work. Is change about retaining our positive qualities while shedding off the bad? And yet Karan himself does not follow this pattern as he ages.
Many factors go into a different experience beyond just the difference in content - time of reading (and mood), medium (Kindle vs physical), etc. This is also my first revisiting of a novel in some time.
I did feel like my previous experience with this story was stained by disgust over Karan, that I barely remember much of the other aspects of this story, including the shifts as a result of Rahjiv Gandhi's assassination. This brings about something I picked up in Thinking, Fast and Slow about the remembering self versus the experiencing self. Regardless, I was just as eager to rush through to end as I was at the beginning of the year. Some things may change, but others stay the same, I suppose.
On that note, happy new year and here's to many more chapters in 2024!
tmbrundage's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
abbychong's review against another edition
4.0
from the sadism inflicted on animals by country children to the machinations and graft at every conceivable level of society. this is a country, we are reminded, where you could rob a bank by simply ringing it up and saying Indira Gandhi needed a large sum of cash, and arranging for it to be picked up. Sharma’s genius in this novel is how he makes a personal and political reflection on each other. The final line contains the tilted view from a plane’s window as it is taking off; in the end, the landscape “righted itself”. I think those words were carefully chosen.
cnyreader's review against another edition
3.0
Ram Karan is obedient- to his corrupt boss and the way business is done, to his appetites with no regard for consequences, to his own desires, but to little else. But he's not bad, per se, it's just how things are done and he's trying to make up for the wrongs he's committed... sort of. And Anita and Asha, his daughter and granddaughter, must live with him because there's nowhere else for them to go, even though the past haunts Anita to the point of madness.
As in most Indian novels, the government and its corruption play a large role. This feels more relevant than in the past, but it's still hard to relate to on a cultural level. There are parts of this story that aren't easy to read, but others that tug at the emotions a little.
Food: obligatory dinner with your depressed aunt. The food is a little lacking- burnt edges on the cake, the salad is pretty wilted and is the meat starting to turn? But you know she needs someone to talk to and you'll listen to her problems and try to be supportive. Getting out of there and knowing you don't have to go back for a few months is a relief, though.
As in most Indian novels, the government and its corruption play a large role. This feels more relevant than in the past, but it's still hard to relate to on a cultural level. There are parts of this story that aren't easy to read, but others that tug at the emotions a little.
Food: obligatory dinner with your depressed aunt. The food is a little lacking- burnt edges on the cake, the salad is pretty wilted and is the meat starting to turn? But you know she needs someone to talk to and you'll listen to her problems and try to be supportive. Getting out of there and knowing you don't have to go back for a few months is a relief, though.