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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
a series of short stories with a loose, connecting thread. some stories didn't quite land for me while others left me wanting an entire book of it. the last story will be on my mind for a while
This book makes me regret not having explored more fiction from my own culture.
If I were to describe popular books, I would say it’s like running towards a destination. You do walk sometimes when the book is slow, but the destination (the plot/ending) is the final goal.
This book is more akin to taking an aimless stroll in your own city. Stopping every so often and looking at the little birds along the way. Full of heart, but a quiet book nevertheless.
If I were to describe popular books, I would say it’s like running towards a destination. You do walk sometimes when the book is slow, but the destination (the plot/ending) is the final goal.
This book is more akin to taking an aimless stroll in your own city. Stopping every so often and looking at the little birds along the way. Full of heart, but a quiet book nevertheless.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interconnected stories of the lives touched by a particular house in Delhi. The power of this slim book is in the detail brought to everyday activity - a range of characters doing small things against the evocative backdrop of the city. It’s full of longing, sadness, class issues and politics - played out in everyday minute scenes. The food and heat bring a welcome warmth to the reading of this book. A fab debut.
I am not sure if I have the right word to describe how peaceful it was reading this book. It is such a self assured book, every word written with a purpose, nothing more and nothing less. It paints vividly the minute details of an Indian household, every image so relatable.
The book touches upon various themes subtly- the riots, caste, poverty, the modern India , it is a 30 year long journey but covered so swiftly.
A very good light and comforting read.
The book touches upon various themes subtly- the riots, caste, poverty, the modern India , it is a 30 year long journey but covered so swiftly.
A very good light and comforting read.
This book makes me regret not having explored more fiction from my own culture.
If I were to describe popular books, I would say it’s like running towards a destination. You do walk sometimes when the book is slow, but the destination (the plot/ending) is the final goal.
This book is more akin to taking an aimless stroll in your own city. Stopping every so often and looking at the little birds along the way. Full of heart, but a quiet book nevertheless.
If I were to describe popular books, I would say it’s like running towards a destination. You do walk sometimes when the book is slow, but the destination (the plot/ending) is the final goal.
This book is more akin to taking an aimless stroll in your own city. Stopping every so often and looking at the little birds along the way. Full of heart, but a quiet book nevertheless.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Thank you to Swift Press and Netgalley for the eARC of The House Next to the Factory by Sonal Kohli! Published in the UK November 3 🎉
This essay/story collection features 8 short stories, ranging in time from 1980s to 2010. The characters well developed and loosely connected to each other. Some characters reappear in other stories which I quite enjoyed. The author knows how to say a lot without directly going into detail; ie she shows us what’s happening through her prose rather than telling us in so many words. And as with all short story collections, I liked some more than others but overall an interesting look at domestic life in India.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual content
challenging
emotional
slow-paced