Reviews

Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry

abhanana's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

3.75

astallbaumer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lsparrow's review

4.0

I enjoyed this book.
I found the accent of the reader rather annoying - especially the Hindi words

tripleheaven's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

c_rabbit's review against another edition

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? Yes

4.0

bella_rayward's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

I almost gave up on this book so many times because it is so slow paced, depressing and in a way, boring.
I’m glad I stuck it out because the ending was a bit better but it’s definitely not a book I looked forward to reading.
I loved the boys characters and felt the torment of Narimans life. I think the characters were strong and I understood each one however the plot (and lack thereof) made me struggle to read it.

oviedorose's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad

5.0

kingfan30's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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? Yes

3.5

in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition

4.0

Not the best book to read on public transport on the way to work. The book starts with the typical portrayal of Indian homes falling apart and corrupt society but we see some compassionate characters and some honest characters who make you see a better side of India.

I really recommend this book for those of you struggling with the care of older parents. If only we could all have the compassion and love that Roxanna has for her father.

cseibs's review against another edition

3.0

A great family study. I picked up this book because it was on a recommended list of books about India by Indians. Strangely, though, I felt that this book could have been set anywhere. The family study was central, with Bombay (or Mumbai) serving only as backdrop. Mistry portrayed family discord with such unsparing honesty that at times I found the book hard to stomach. I remember feeling that A Fine Balance was Dickensian in its uninhibited portrayal of sadness and strife, and Mistry has not shied away from that approach in this novel. Because of this unvarnished take on family living, I particularly appreciated the epilogue and how Mistry stayed true to his characters to the end.