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begquilter's review against another edition
5.0
This book captivated me with the intertwining of a families story between two characters from two time periods. I was left wanting to know what happened and how things were connected. I was also intrigued by the customs of India and marriage.
jsrogers123's review against another edition
5.0
It took a minute to adjust to the writing style, but this story is so beautifully devastating. Deeply human, I was blown away
susannacantele's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thebobsphere's review
4.0
Back in 2015 Sunjeev Sahota’s second novel, The Year of the Runaways was shortlisted for the Booker. I enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading his follow up, China Room, in a way it is different from it’s predecessor but it does share some themes.
The book consists of two timelines. One takes place in 1929 and focuses on Mehar, a bride chosen to be the wife of one of three brothers. The thing is she doesn’t know which brother she will marry and one of them slips in the night to her room to sleep with her. She falls in love and once she recognises him in the daylight she wants to be with him. He, also is in love with her. It turns out that things are not as they seem.
The other story is told in the form of a memoir where the narrator visits India in 1999 to rediscover his roots as he finds out he is related to Mehar and also to go cold turkey. The place he settles in is the farm Mehar lived in. Within this section we also see little flashbacks of the racism he had to encounter as a child in London.
In both timelines each character leads parallel lives, especially with love and each character is entwined within a relationship, which may end badly. Both characters are victims of small town mentalities and they also face persecution of sorts. For the narrator it is race and for Mehar it is tradition and being a woman. Each character needs to break free. Ironically Mehar has to escape the farm, while the narrator breaks free by going to the farm. As one can guess that most of the action in both cases involves The China Room.
China Room is a solid story. Intelligently plotted, well written and addictive reading. It’s a little bit predictable in places and unpredictable in others but it’s a enjoyable read and the multiple timelines give the novel some depth. Clearly with this year’s Booker there’s a clutch of experimental novels and more conventional ones. China Room falls in the latter category so it will be interesting to see which side the judges will choose when it comes to the shortlist stage.
The book consists of two timelines. One takes place in 1929 and focuses on Mehar, a bride chosen to be the wife of one of three brothers. The thing is she doesn’t know which brother she will marry and one of them slips in the night to her room to sleep with her. She falls in love and once she recognises him in the daylight she wants to be with him. He, also is in love with her. It turns out that things are not as they seem.
The other story is told in the form of a memoir where the narrator visits India in 1999 to rediscover his roots as he finds out he is related to Mehar and also to go cold turkey. The place he settles in is the farm Mehar lived in. Within this section we also see little flashbacks of the racism he had to encounter as a child in London.
In both timelines each character leads parallel lives, especially with love and each character is entwined within a relationship, which may end badly. Both characters are victims of small town mentalities and they also face persecution of sorts. For the narrator it is race and for Mehar it is tradition and being a woman. Each character needs to break free. Ironically Mehar has to escape the farm, while the narrator breaks free by going to the farm. As one can guess that most of the action in both cases involves The China Room.
China Room is a solid story. Intelligently plotted, well written and addictive reading. It’s a little bit predictable in places and unpredictable in others but it’s a enjoyable read and the multiple timelines give the novel some depth. Clearly with this year’s Booker there’s a clutch of experimental novels and more conventional ones. China Room falls in the latter category so it will be interesting to see which side the judges will choose when it comes to the shortlist stage.
esmem's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
bookshelfbybub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I’m not sure the characters were likable, but they were certainly compelling and very, very human. At times, the dual narratives seemed to interrupt each other, but, in the end, I was glad to observe both main characters.
aneemithu's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is not the type of book I normally read. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was hard to get into it at the beginning but I did enjoy the direction of the book. The main plot was about the Mehar and her life in rural Punjab in the 20’s. But mixed in is the story of her great grandson and how he adjusted to living in London in the 90’s. The struggles. The racism. How difficult it was for his parents. And ugh. That triggered memories I didn’t want to think about 🙈 so it was hard to listen to that. But I guess it made me feel better knowing other people have gone through that struggle too. Sort of 🙃
Overall it was an interesting read/listen.
Overall it was an interesting read/listen.
dukegregory's review against another edition
2.0
Great concept. Mediocre execution. Oddly high amount of rape.
madeline29's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
fatvalkilmer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.0