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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
The stories in this book are all too common in India. I remember something on the lines of the author saying how she wants to tell stories the way people share in the villages outside their aangans (courtyard) and well this is exactly that. It is difficult to read, the crying the hitting the submission but somewhere in the midst of it all it showcases the lives of women who may never get to tell their own stories out loud into the world and for that i absolutely love this book
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
That last story ... thunderous effect.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This is easily one of the worst books I’ve ever read, if not the worst. I’m shocked at its International Booker win. All the characters are so one dimensional—either saint-like or total demons. There is no nuance in the stories or in the storytelling, and the narratives felt so dated like how is a book like this winning a major international award in 2025?! I can’t believe an excellent book like Reservoir Bitches, which was also on the shortlist, lost out to this. There is no literary quality to the writing in Heart Lamp and all the stories were so repetitive and in literally all of them the woman is the victim resigned to her fate. Even the dialogues, sometimes I felt like I was watching a C-grade Hindi soap opera on Star Plus.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
I forgot this was a collection of stories so was confused at first…but then I realized it’s selected stories and had a very lovely reading experience learning about a different culture and also where there are similarities not in order to flatten the culture rather as a way to form connection and understanding
Read half of it - none of the stories are compelling - just ordinary sad stories about Muslim women. I wasn't impressed, but they were fine I guess?