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laelia's review against another edition
2.5
This was at first very enjoyable to read because of the metaphors and the use of such poetic writing but it got tiresome after a couple of hundred pages of just that and jumping back and forth in time and between characters. I felt lost at times, which is maybe the purpose of the book, but I couldn't enjoy it at all. Especially Rosie's role in the book, although I can see why she was a plot device, I didn't like that she was used like that. With her being highlighted in all the blurbs as the trans woman the mother befriends, confusing the daughter Beti, who believes she was the more 'modern' of the two, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth...
Yes, the book raises some issues and I think some parts are really well done and I enjoyed those parts, but I couldn't really enjoy and love the book.
Yes, the book raises some issues and I think some parts are really well done and I enjoyed those parts, but I couldn't really enjoy and love the book.
kmerms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
kalyfornian's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
3.0
I found the novel very uneven, but I appreciated the last third in Pakistan the most.
kalyaniwarrier's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Pros: the plot and character development is wonderful. The message of unity and oneness among India and Pakistan is the core theme of the novel. The characters of the novel go through multiple tribulations to be better versions of themselves.
As it is a work of post-modern literature, it can be interpreted anyway. There are vague dialogues and scenes that are personal that could be applied to many circumstances.
Cons: it could have been down by 150-200 pages. I understand it is post-modernist, but it feels too prolonged. The stream of consciousness is a core basis of this novel, which makes it difficult to understand plots at times.
As it is a work of post-modern literature, it can be interpreted anyway. There are vague dialogues and scenes that are personal that could be applied to many circumstances.
Cons: it could have been down by 150-200 pages. I understand it is post-modernist, but it feels too prolonged. The stream of consciousness is a core basis of this novel, which makes it difficult to understand plots at times.
amyfletcher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
roomal's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
metalheadmaiden's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
booklywookly's review against another edition
5.0
Remember that one friend of yours who can talk about anything and has opinion about everything? That one friend who starts off telling about an “interesting” incident and it’s been one hour 40 minutes and you are counting how many times they said “sorry, I digressed” (13 times) and “okay so where were we” (6 times)? However exhausting it is being with this friend, you are always enthralled by the stories and energy. After a month of silence, you call them again. If that person were to be a book, this would be it.
This feels to me like a collection of short essays, discussions and philosophical thoughts on topics touched upon over due course of a fictional plot. Annotators are gonna have some fun here. An inch of a story, a yard of these beautiful ramblings. Meandering in every direction, Shree is shepherding us through these many conversations - the many ebbs and flows - guiding us to the important “what ifs” from the less relevant ones. She is making herself noticed and is not hiding behind a character. She addresses you and occasionally shows you a mirror.
ma is depressed, ma is shrinking, ma won’t get out of the bed, ma made a friend, ma is unfurling, ma is unfurling too much, ma decides to visit Pakistan.
It’s a slow burn. You’ll have to be patient to appreciate it. Ma doesn’t utter one legit complete sentence until p.230. Another important character, Rosie, enters narrative at p.169 never to be heard of again till p.310. Pakistan? 500 pages in. You get the idea. But it picks up typical plot-pace in the second section.
Mishmash of themes and genres - exploring modern urban life, folklore, Buddhism, gender, after effects of a nation being divided, mother daughter relationship, patriarchy, and redemption. Octogenarian main character, puns, wordplay, drifting into tangents, whimsy, magic realism, coarse humor, fleshed out supporting cast, and a self aware eccentric narrator - this is what you get.
Some random thoughts in comments.
I could definitely relate to “beti” the most. I understand what she was going through and I felt bad for her. I also felt bad for “bahu” who deserved better.
A couple of chapters written from crows’ PoV and it has Rushdie written all over it.
The whole “I want to go to Pakistan” arc seemed a bit forced to me.
I watched Shree reading few excerpts from original version and it was quite dramatic and - ratatatatatatat - on fire! This is clearly a love letter to Hindi language and if I get time, I might read the OG as well. Daisy Rockwell’s clever efforts to preserve the “Indian-ness” of the context, playfulness of the words and nuances of sound over meaning in her translation is commendable. Grammar may go to hell. However, I would avoid if this is your first entry into the world of a South Asian literature. There are much easier and more forgiving books out there to give you a quick south asian culture orientations.