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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Interesting read, lots of observations on life in India
Enjoyed this spiritual romp through India. I learned a little about India, the religions of India, and the author's sense of humor brought a few laughs and chuckles along the way.
One of my all time favorite books that so clearly articulates many dichotomies that exist within India
Ok, my only problem with this book is that I would like to live in India, too, and have Indian friends and just generally have fun and be cool and write a book. This is a fun, easy read.
Good read, esp for an outsider-insider, who has now spent a decade and a half outside the country. Its quite layered and deeper than the first few chapters initially seemed. This could, however, have gained from a copy edit by someone who was native, as some of the translations, references are not exactly accurate.
This book is fantastic. I've read it while solo in India for a month. Macdonald is brilliant, curious, and insightful - she has truly been a great companion. I personally could do without the romance and baby stuff, but her explorations of this vast, diverse subcontinent and its myriad spiritualities is truly enthralling. Any visitor - or potential visitor - to India - I beg you to read this text.
❤️❤️❤️
Finished: 8 July 2018, Taj Palace, Delhi
❤️❤️❤️
Finished: 8 July 2018, Taj Palace, Delhi
I've read some bad reviews of this book, and therefore have put it off. But I decided I should finally give it a go. And it started off as bad as I expected. An entitled, white, Australian heading to India and bitching and moaning the whole way.
I missed Sarah on radio, as I was at school while her program was on Triple J. So I caught every other show on radio, except the 9am-12pm slot. Maybe that would have endeared me to her before reading this book, because she needs all the help she can get to make it through those first chapters.
However, in a nod to character development, Sarah agrees, she's been a dick. I mean, she nearly dies to work it out. But props girl, you got there.
So she decides her way to get over India, is to learn about their religions (while doing sneaky ABC stories and name drops along the way). And fair enough, the place is dripping in fascinating religions. It is rare you can visit Zoroastrians, Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Jains, and Buddhists in the same country. And they are all fascinating.
Except if you have learnt bits about them before, and notice the factual inconsistencies. Which are sprinkled throughout the book. Along with ridiculous characters you don't want to hear more about, and the superficial dealings with those who sound like fascinating characters who are a little below the notice of our author.
Look, in the scheme of things, it wasn't terrible. I learnt things, which I will take with a grain of salt and research more. She grows as a character, which she needed to. It's a 2.5 star read. I just wish she had done the stereotypical Aussie week in Bali and saved us all the trouble.
I missed Sarah on radio, as I was at school while her program was on Triple J. So I caught every other show on radio, except the 9am-12pm slot. Maybe that would have endeared me to her before reading this book, because she needs all the help she can get to make it through those first chapters.
However, in a nod to character development, Sarah agrees, she's been a dick. I mean, she nearly dies to work it out. But props girl, you got there.
So she decides her way to get over India, is to learn about their religions (while doing sneaky ABC stories and name drops along the way). And fair enough, the place is dripping in fascinating religions. It is rare you can visit Zoroastrians, Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Jains, and Buddhists in the same country. And they are all fascinating.
Except if you have learnt bits about them before, and notice the factual inconsistencies. Which are sprinkled throughout the book. Along with ridiculous characters you don't want to hear more about, and the superficial dealings with those who sound like fascinating characters who are a little below the notice of our author.
Look, in the scheme of things, it wasn't terrible. I learnt things, which I will take with a grain of salt and research more. She grows as a character, which she needed to. It's a 2.5 star read. I just wish she had done the stereotypical Aussie week in Bali and saved us all the trouble.
Great memoir/travelogue about a woman who returns to India after an ill-fated visit in her 20s; her second time around she lives there for 2 years and grows to love India.
It's very reporter-y at times, but this is a fascinating memoir by an Australian journalist living in India.
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced