You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the last 60 pages or so are like the guardian review on the back says 'take you by suprise with its force'. i dont know if it was inspired by the god of small things but i read that recently too and they felt similar. angry books about how the complicity of indian caste, misogny capitalism result in tragedies(that are ostensibly inexplainable- just bad people do bad stuff) however the god of small things is much better. here a lot of the book and its characters felt too simple, as- yes characters in Bajwa's plot. the long descriptions of how stupid and sad ramchands life are an example, it become self-indulgent bc it isnt acc written in am empathetic way to.the story is sad but it felt like the sake of it. honestly i shouldve re-read the phenomenal 'the god of small things'
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book for my holiday read as it was simple but interestingly engaging and very laidback. I loved how I could picture each scene as if it was actually a Hindi movie on screen, a simple lazy Sunday afternoon one. The characters and background on each are impressive and well thought out. Ramchand's budding love for reading warmed me from within and the description of him looking at his book collection lovingly made me giddy. The story took a surprising turn which I wasn't prepared for and I absolutely love it when that happens! I could feel the life seeping away from me while reading the description of Kamla's descent into the abyss. I felt horrified for Ramchand and wished desperately for him to find someone to talk to but it is just as it is in reality - we either are never able to speak even when opportunity presents itself or the words rarely convey it's intended meaning when we try to truly share our deepest lowest moments. Quoting The Guardian's comment "the terrible climax in this compassionate novel takes you with such force." - is indeed accurate. It was a really good read - I'm glad I changed my mind and picked it up after all.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ramchand is a shop assistant in Sevak Sari House in Amritsar.
He is depressed & tired of his monotonous existence that consists of his room-to-shop-to-room routine. However, when he is sent to a wealthy family’s home preparing for their daughter’s wedding, to show saris, his life changes drastically.
The break in routine jolts Ramchand & sets for him something to look forward to & to work for change in his life.
He determinedly buys books and begins to teach himself to read. Apart from Ramchand there are various other characters with their backstories that represent sort of a typical Indian society.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The end was disappointing to me because I felt Ramchand would succeed in making changes in himself at least if not the society he lives in but maybe the author intended to stay true to reality by leaving the end as it was 🤷🏻♀️
The writing is Very, Very descriptive almost like watching the scenes of a movie unfold before your eyes 💫 enjoyed that very much
He is depressed & tired of his monotonous existence that consists of his room-to-shop-to-room routine. However, when he is sent to a wealthy family’s home preparing for their daughter’s wedding, to show saris, his life changes drastically.
The break in routine jolts Ramchand & sets for him something to look forward to & to work for change in his life.
He determinedly buys books and begins to teach himself to read. Apart from Ramchand there are various other characters with their backstories that represent sort of a typical Indian society.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The end was disappointing to me because I felt Ramchand would succeed in making changes in himself at least if not the society he lives in but maybe the author intended to stay true to reality by leaving the end as it was 🤷🏻♀️
The writing is Very, Very descriptive almost like watching the scenes of a movie unfold before your eyes 💫 enjoyed that very much
This book is about a sari shop in India and one of its employees, Ramchand. It focuses on his experiences and his awareness of the differences in society in India. I liked this book and was fully interested in the characters. I did wonder more about what happened to Rina Kapoor and her book. Part of me really wanted Ramchand to discover it and read it.
I feel like I've gone on a journey with these characters but it's not really gone anywhere, an empty journey. The ending was a complete let down. I thought the horrible things that happened might have encouraged the main character to do something, to make things better or change something but no. His English books he was so passionate about stayed dusty on the shelf, he went back to his routine before with nothing changing. He didn't learn anything from his experiences. He didn't DO anything. One of the characters even wrote a book about a gentleman in a Sari shop... but that plot didn't go anywhere, he never found out, I thought he would be told and then go buy the book and it'll be the sixth book on his growing pile of books.... but no!
The only part I liked about the books was that it was written about a different town in a different country that I've not read about. A lot of the language was from that country, nouns written in the original language but I still understood what was going on. I loved that the main character was trying to better himself too (for a part of the story until he gave up!) and that he was passionate and slightly addicted to book buying! :)
The only part I liked about the books was that it was written about a different town in a different country that I've not read about. A lot of the language was from that country, nouns written in the original language but I still understood what was going on. I loved that the main character was trying to better himself too (for a part of the story until he gave up!) and that he was passionate and slightly addicted to book buying! :)
Not uplifting, but a sad story that draws you in, makes you hope, much like the main character does, and then drops you back down in the dumps.
The book started with a peaceful-small-town vibe and then it changed gears and how. A very compelling read where all characters, conversations, reactions are ultra-real. The writing is very very good too.
Will look up more books by this author.
Will look up more books by this author.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Sexual harassment