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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
This story takes no prisoners. It's not meant to end with all ties knotted. It's a critique that is as severe as it is engaging from start to finish.
Contrasting beauty and ugliness in every sphere, it implicates everyone in the society described.
This book did not disappoint me one bit, even if it couldn't uplift me - but I seem to have moved beyond having to read books that uplift, and instead seek books with stories that enlighten and nurture my sense of justice, even if the narratives don't achieve that same justice by the last page.
Contrasting beauty and ugliness in every sphere, it implicates everyone in the society described.
This book did not disappoint me one bit, even if it couldn't uplift me - but I seem to have moved beyond having to read books that uplift, and instead seek books with stories that enlighten and nurture my sense of justice, even if the narratives don't achieve that same justice by the last page.
A sad tale about economic and social injustice. The ending left a lot of loose ends, but I suppose that was the point.
I loved this book. I was completely immersed in the story of Ramchand, and although I had a hard time understanding why he allowed outside events to depress him so, I could relate to his feelings of restlessness & his need to do something...anything.
What I did get...completely...was his gut wrenching sadness when he became aware of Chander's terrible marital situation. By that time he had started to understand that every situation had more to it than could be seen on the surface. On the other hand, what I completely failed to understand was his continued weakness despite his burgeoning understanding of (and subsequent frustration with) the unfairness - and cruelness - of the class system in Amritsar. Although he was obviously unhappy, he could not seem to DO anything (except read) to change. He continued to live in a dreary room, continued to work at a job he clearly despised, and continued to languish in his unhappiness (depression?) until the tragic circumstances of Kamla's death seemed to FINALLY galvanize a reaction from him.
I cheered him on when he chewed out his co-workers. I loved that he spoke the truth to Mahajan & the other sales associates, and I really loved that he berated Hari for laughing in the face of Kamla's death. It was gauche behavior on Hari's part, and Ramchand recognized a lack of compassion that he could not tolerate any longer. After all this, and the 12 day stupor, Ramchand ultimatley disappointed me - not because he went back to his job, but because he (once again) settled into his mediocre existence...the very thing at the root of his previous depression & meltdown. *sigh* Really, really good story.
What I did get...completely...was his gut wrenching sadness when he became aware of Chander's terrible marital situation. By that time he had started to understand that every situation had more to it than could be seen on the surface. On the other hand, what I completely failed to understand was his continued weakness despite his burgeoning understanding of (and subsequent frustration with) the unfairness - and cruelness - of the class system in Amritsar. Although he was obviously unhappy, he could not seem to DO anything (except read) to change. He continued to live in a dreary room, continued to work at a job he clearly despised, and continued to languish in his unhappiness (depression?) until the tragic circumstances of Kamla's death seemed to FINALLY galvanize a reaction from him.
I cheered him on when he chewed out his co-workers. I loved that he spoke the truth to Mahajan & the other sales associates, and I really loved that he berated Hari for laughing in the face of Kamla's death. It was gauche behavior on Hari's part, and Ramchand recognized a lack of compassion that he could not tolerate any longer. After all this, and the 12 day stupor, Ramchand ultimatley disappointed me - not because he went back to his job, but because he (once again) settled into his mediocre existence...the very thing at the root of his previous depression & meltdown. *sigh* Really, really good story.
Love the descriptive writing. Could truly feel the environment and characters. Made me crave good Indian food as well.
Rupa Bajwa’s debut book The Sari Shop revolves around Ramchand a salesperson at a sari shop in the old area of Amritsar. Ramchand’s life is chronicled and interwoven with stories and tidbits from the lives of others around him. Ramchand and his colleagues wait on the richest and the most powerful ladies in Amritsar who choose to come to this sari shop for the variety and quality that it promises. From university professors who look down upon money, and rich business people who look down on people who may not have the kind of money they had. The Sevak Sari Shop attracted all sorts. They have a strict task master of a boss called Mahajan who used to ensure that they catered to all the customers in the best way they could.
Ramchand lost his parents, who he adored and looked up to, in an accident when he was very young. He is brought up by his uncle and aunt. As he grows up, he realizes that he has been cheated by his uncle of the shop that his father owned and the jewelery that his mother owned. He is left with nothing. His uncle gets him at apprenticeship at the sari shop and that is where he stayed. He remembered how his father used to want that his son to learn English. He realizes that people who know English have an edge, and so he starts his journey to self-improvement. He picks up second-hand letter writing books, a dictionary and works hard at it even when in most cases, the context itself is not very clear to him.
What I really loved about the book is the way the author describes things in the book. Right from the way the old market area in Amritsar is set up, to Ramchand’s sensitivity is beautifully portrayed. Ramchand’s amazement when he sees women wearing the sarees that they bought at the shop. For some reason he had never put it together that people wear the expensive sarees they buy to functions and weddings. Instances of how the sales people at the shops are considered invisible or non-existent by the customers as they talk and gossip away while browsing through the saris. The rich-poor divide is well brought out. Ramchand is easily affected by the others around him. Even a scolding from Mahajan for coming late has quite an impact on him. One day he unwittingly comes across some issues which he initially ignores and later his conscience prevents him from ignoring and carrying on with his life. Things come to a head when lives across the spectrum of society clash in a way which most of them would have never anticipated..
Ramchand lost his parents, who he adored and looked up to, in an accident when he was very young. He is brought up by his uncle and aunt. As he grows up, he realizes that he has been cheated by his uncle of the shop that his father owned and the jewelery that his mother owned. He is left with nothing. His uncle gets him at apprenticeship at the sari shop and that is where he stayed. He remembered how his father used to want that his son to learn English. He realizes that people who know English have an edge, and so he starts his journey to self-improvement. He picks up second-hand letter writing books, a dictionary and works hard at it even when in most cases, the context itself is not very clear to him.
What I really loved about the book is the way the author describes things in the book. Right from the way the old market area in Amritsar is set up, to Ramchand’s sensitivity is beautifully portrayed. Ramchand’s amazement when he sees women wearing the sarees that they bought at the shop. For some reason he had never put it together that people wear the expensive sarees they buy to functions and weddings. Instances of how the sales people at the shops are considered invisible or non-existent by the customers as they talk and gossip away while browsing through the saris. The rich-poor divide is well brought out. Ramchand is easily affected by the others around him. Even a scolding from Mahajan for coming late has quite an impact on him. One day he unwittingly comes across some issues which he initially ignores and later his conscience prevents him from ignoring and carrying on with his life. Things come to a head when lives across the spectrum of society clash in a way which most of them would have never anticipated..
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
I am not the sort of reader who often feels compelled to discuss a book or to talk to an author about their work. More often that not, I read, forget the book, and get on with my life. But I can't stop thinking about this book and the subtle turns of phrase and word choices. The language is so spare and precise, that I can't help but think about the intentions. I could talk for hours about the characters and their motivations and their roles. This is the best fiction I have read in a really, really long time.
You gotta be in the mood for Indian books because for real, they are total downers.