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achadamaia's review
5.0
The story centers around several strangers who are trapped in a building after a major earthquake. To stay alert they each tell a story from their past that had major implications for their life. Each person is very different and each story has it's own unique perspective. The stories are woven in with their attempts to survive as water rises in the room and their food source dwindles. Instead making the book seem fragmented, the stories help enhance the plot and build each character. As we learn their stories, we learn why each feels the need to leave for India. That reason is what drew them to the passport office in the first place.
At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like what seemed like a depressing story. But, I always enjoy Divakaruni's work. There is always a bit of humanity in her work no matter the plot and that always sucks me in. This is a remarkable book. One of the best books I've read in a long time.
At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like what seemed like a depressing story. But, I always enjoy Divakaruni's work. There is always a bit of humanity in her work no matter the plot and that always sucks me in. This is a remarkable book. One of the best books I've read in a long time.
zainab1218's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
carnation7's review
5.0
Nine quite different people trapped together in a collapsed visa office after an earthquake, doing their best to survive, and passing time by telling each other stories about "the one amazing thing" they've experienced in their lives.
A beautifully diverse cast of characters - each individual providing a unique outlook. Makes you think, and appreciate how former experience paints future interpretations of events. In other words, great insight into human condition in general!
The "snippet" that stayed with me the longest belongs to Tariq - a young Muslim Indian American, whose story touches upon the post-9/11 lives of Muslims in America, and how open distrust helps breed terrorism. :(
Survival dynamics were greatly depicted, too.
All in all, a worthwhile title! :)
A beautifully diverse cast of characters - each individual providing a unique outlook. Makes you think, and appreciate how former experience paints future interpretations of events. In other words, great insight into human condition in general!
The "snippet" that stayed with me the longest belongs to Tariq - a young Muslim Indian American, whose story touches upon the post-9/11 lives of Muslims in America, and how open distrust helps breed terrorism. :(
Survival dynamics were greatly depicted, too.
All in all, a worthwhile title! :)
caitlinxmartin's review
4.0
This slim novel is a wonderful multicultural take on Chaucer's [b:The Canterbury Tales|2696|The Canterbury Tales|Geoffrey Chaucer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1261208589s/2696.jpg|986234]. The place is an Indian visa and passport office in a city that is unnamed, but is pretty obviously San Francisco. The people are nine survivors of an earthquake that has buried them underneath the rubble with multiple injuries, limited supplies, and water beginning to pour in. There is no obvious way out and so they must wait and figure out how to survive until rescue comes. The characters are diverse and as each of them takes a turn telling a story to pass the time we are reminded that everyone has something to live for and that our stories are what connects us.
This was an especially poignant read in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Divakaruni takes what could have been trite and cliched and turns it into something warm, human and unpredictable.
This was an especially poignant read in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Divakaruni takes what could have been trite and cliched and turns it into something warm, human and unpredictable.
junenez's review
3.0
Interesting premise and I enjoyed that it felt like short stories. I was annoyed with the ambiguous ending. Otherwise I would have given it 4 stars
melifls's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
valpogal's review
3.0
A Solid 3 1/2. This is a good story - or rather multiple stories woven into one - rather like the Canterbury Tales. I have two quibbles with the book. First, the stories are a bit uneven; some of the stories are significantly stronger than the others. I felt the author wasn't quite sure what to do with one or two of the characters. And second, like many other reviewers, I wasn't taken with the way the author ends the novel. I didn't hate the ending, I just would have liked things wrapped up a bit more.
I enjoyed this book, not as much as "Sister of My Heart" and I will certainly read the author's next story.
I enjoyed this book, not as much as "Sister of My Heart" and I will certainly read the author's next story.
stephen_coulon's review
3.0
A California earthquake traps nine strangers beneath the Indian consulate. To survive, the diverse and incongruous group (American, Indian, Chinese, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, young, old, wealthy, poor, etc) must learn to trust one another, a task ultimately accomplished by taking turns sharing a story of a formative moment from their lives. This confessional theme is the novel’s strength, the message of hope that faithful openness can bridge people across belief and culture is developed with honesty and touched with realism. Divakaruni capably changes voice between the varying characters and at moments writes with enchanting insight. I'm trying this novel out right now as a text for my AP Lit course, waiting to see what the students think.