Scan barcode
internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Addiction, Confinement, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Rape, and Sexism
onmalsshelf's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Could’ve been a high rating if the modern setting in the dual timeline actually made sense.
Short read though to help knock out BOTM challenges and the 2022 reading goals.
Short read though to help knock out BOTM challenges and the 2022 reading goals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Pregnancy, and Rape
booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book was genuinely phenomenal and I loved it. It was incredibly insightful and full of brilliant writing, well fleshed out characters and a wonderful plot. I read this a long while ago and I am very behind with reviews, but I remember there being a confusion with a part of the plot which is why this didn't get 5 stars. However, other than this is was genuinely one of my favourite reads this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pregnancy
mochi21's review
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I thought this was going to be a multi generational story mostly surrounding the strength of a child bride as she lives her life serving the family of her adult husband and the strength of her addict grandson as he heals and grows.
I thought it would be a heavy read but not to this extent. This is borderline trauma port, except it's not even that because nobody is unhappy with their conditions, at least not for the right reasons.
The pacing and writing is actually quite beautiful but I cannot stomach the romanticization of forced child marriage or rape.
sujav is very clear that he believes he should own Mehar and when he rips her clothes off the first time they have sex when she believes he is her husband (which is unrealistic in its own right. Anybody who's had sex more than once can tell the difference between sexual partners) he is extremely clear that he wants to hurt her and the goal is to assault her.
In a world where children are still being sold to adults for marriage, this story depicts it in a positive light and for that reason, I can't give this book any higher than two stars.
Also, for all the beautiful writing, there is a lot of crass language, if you're offended by that kind of thing.
I thought it would be a heavy read but not to this extent. This is borderline trauma port, except it's not even that because nobody is unhappy with their conditions, at least not for the right reasons.
The pacing and writing is actually quite beautiful but I cannot stomach the romanticization of forced child marriage or rape.
In a world where children are still being sold to adults for marriage, this story depicts it in a positive light and for that reason, I can't give this book any higher than two stars.
Also, for all the beautiful writing, there is a lot of crass language, if you're offended by that kind of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
ladymirtazapine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
deedireads's review against another edition
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
I liked China Room a lot. Short, and with one plotline that’s more plot-driven and one that’s more character-driven, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast-paced and engaging it was.
For you if: You want to read more books with Punjabi representation.
FULL REVIEW:
China Room landed on my radar because it was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize. It’s only 250 pages long, and I ended up easily reading it in one day; the super-short chapters combined with the fast pace (at least for a ~Booker book~) really had me turning the pages.
The story takes place in two timelines with two characters: The first, Mehar, lives in Punjab in the 1920s. She is married off to one of three brothers in a triple wedding, but she and her fellow brides are kept in the dark (literally) about which of the brothers are their husbands. When she seems to have figured it out, she can’t help but careen herself down a very risky path. The other timeline, which takes place today, is about Mehar’s unnamed great-grandson, who travels to Punjab to recover from addiction. Staying in the same house where she lived, he faces down his own kind of personal and generational trauma.
While I was reading, I found myself most engaged in Mehar’s story, although that’s mostly because her chapters were fast-paced and driven heavily by plot. The story of our unnamed modern main character, on the other hand, is much more introspective and character-driven. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that had both of those styles alongside one another like that, and it was really interesting.
At book club, a lot of us talked about wanting more out of either or both of the storylines, at the same time realizing that Sahota’s restraint was likely purposeful, even if the reason why wasn’t immediately clear. I can agree here; there were definitely connections and events I’d been rooting for (love when a book makes you root for things!), and yet I also think what we were ultimately given did quite a bit of work.
Pick this one up if you’re a sucker for a love story and/or interested in reading more historical fiction set in India.
TL;DR REVIEW:
I liked China Room a lot. Short, and with one plotline that’s more plot-driven and one that’s more character-driven, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast-paced and engaging it was.
For you if: You want to read more books with Punjabi representation.
FULL REVIEW:
China Room landed on my radar because it was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize. It’s only 250 pages long, and I ended up easily reading it in one day; the super-short chapters combined with the fast pace (at least for a ~Booker book~) really had me turning the pages.
The story takes place in two timelines with two characters: The first, Mehar, lives in Punjab in the 1920s. She is married off to one of three brothers in a triple wedding, but she and her fellow brides are kept in the dark (literally) about which of the brothers are their husbands. When she seems to have figured it out, she can’t help but careen herself down a very risky path. The other timeline, which takes place today, is about Mehar’s unnamed great-grandson, who travels to Punjab to recover from addiction. Staying in the same house where she lived, he faces down his own kind of personal and generational trauma.
While I was reading, I found myself most engaged in Mehar’s story, although that’s mostly because her chapters were fast-paced and driven heavily by plot. The story of our unnamed modern main character, on the other hand, is much more introspective and character-driven. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book that had both of those styles alongside one another like that, and it was really interesting.
At book club, a lot of us talked about wanting more out of either or both of the storylines, at the same time realizing that Sahota’s restraint was likely purposeful, even if the reason why wasn’t immediately clear. I can agree here; there were definitely connections and events I’d been rooting for (love when a book makes you root for things!), and yet I also think what we were ultimately given did quite a bit of work.
Pick this one up if you’re a sucker for a love story and/or interested in reading more historical fiction set in India.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Pregnancy
callmeamelia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction and War
Minor: Infidelity, Islamophobia, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
emmagreenwood's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
thecriticalreader's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I chose this as a Book of the Month add-on because the premise sounded interesting.
Plot:
China Room follows two plots, one in 1999 with a young man and another with his great-grandmother, Mehar, in 1929. Mehar’s plot is much more fleshed out than the young man’s, although both were intriguing. Ultimately, however, Mehar’s plot plays out rather predictably, and the young man’s plot fizzles out anticlimactically.
Characters:
Most of Sahota’s characters have clear defining characteristics, but none are really explored as individuals. Sahota is more interested in the factors that motivate the characters—outside influences, relationships, etc. than he is in the people themselves.
Setting:
This book takes place in a small Indian village. As someone who has never been to India, Sahota does a good job capturing the stifling nature of the village. However, it could be hard to visualize as someone with little knowledge of India and Indian history. Of course, Sahota should not feel obligated to cater to white audiences—but this was just my experience reading the book. It gives a fascinating glimpse into rural Indian culture circa 1929.
Themes:
The main theme explored in China Room is relationships. Relationships between family and lovers. Characters navigate complicated relationships in complicated circumstances, often trapped between their own desires and societal expectations. For me, thematic exploration was the most compelling part of China Room.
Writing Style:
Sahota’s writing toes the line between dense and flowery. I never got overly frustrated with his writing, but at times I felt myself skimming over descriptive paragraphs to follow the plot.
Conclusion:
China Room is a challenging yet intriguing read, especially as a white American. The plot is captivating, especially initially, even if the resolution leaves something to be desired. Mehar’s plotline is much more interesting than the plot involving her great-grandson.
Other Points:
· I did not connect to Mehar’s and Suraj’s relationship. I found it reflected more lust than love, so I wasn’t particularly rooting for them to make it to the end. Suraj seemed rather entitled and creepy (he did, after all, assault Mehar). I wished Mehar would find a place where she could be herself, but that place did not seem to be with Suraj.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Confinement, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Addiction, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
Minor: Colonisation and Domestic abuse
mandy_reads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Confinement
Minor: Pregnancy
More...