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theangrylibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
robisreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
angelsrgorgeous's review against another edition
5.0
I found myself unable to stop thinking about this book as I went about my daily life, amazed that it's gentle style held such power. It had the power to draw me in an inexplicable way to the quiet details that determine the direction of lives.
I felt so personally connected to the characters, and often forgot I was reading, as it felt that the book blended almost seamlessly with my personal stream of consciousness. I most appreciated Ashima, her inner thoughts and motivations. There was a quiet strength in her that realistically demonstrated that the process of finding true peace is centered around acceptance of circumstances and conscious forward motion.
I agree with one of the reviews below that "Tender" is an ideal characterization of this novel. Tender and rich.
I was unexpectedly charmed by this impressive novel and am now an enthusiastic convert to Lahiri's style. I hope to read more of her works in the future.
I felt so personally connected to the characters, and often forgot I was reading, as it felt that the book blended almost seamlessly with my personal stream of consciousness. I most appreciated Ashima, her inner thoughts and motivations. There was a quiet strength in her that realistically demonstrated that the process of finding true peace is centered around acceptance of circumstances and conscious forward motion.
I agree with one of the reviews below that "Tender" is an ideal characterization of this novel. Tender and rich.
I was unexpectedly charmed by this impressive novel and am now an enthusiastic convert to Lahiri's style. I hope to read more of her works in the future.
fannachristine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
emperadorapb's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
klparmley's review against another edition
1.0
I started it and couldn't get sucked into the story. I suspect it was the wrong book at the wrong time. I might like it better later, but I'm not likely to try it because there are other books that I WANT to read waiting for me.
m_____artha's review against another edition
5.0
"One hand, five homes. A lifetime in a fist." IT WAS HER FIRST NOVEL aaaa
sophieghenke's review against another edition
5.0
This made me so nostalgic and desperate for connection with my parents. Almost made me cry around the middle of the book and at the very end. So simple, not necessarily a happy story, but just a life!
Learning of Bengali customs (so similar to what I’ve heard of Mallhar’s upbringing) was so interesting and finding Gogol finding his own “path” with reverence for his upbringing was heartbreaking even if needed. Good read!
Learning of Bengali customs (so similar to what I’ve heard of Mallhar’s upbringing) was so interesting and finding Gogol finding his own “path” with reverence for his upbringing was heartbreaking even if needed. Good read!
khornstein1's review against another edition
2.0
Spoiler alert: I was so disappointed in this book. Most years, I try to read the summer reading the high school assigns.
The book had great promise at the beginning. Great descriptions of Cambridge, and places I know well. Gogol's father's train accident, and his subsequent naming his son for the author of a book he was reading seemed to portend something exciting that might happen later: Gogol becomes a terrorist, or kills himself, or travels to Russia to unravel his past...
Guess what? Nothing happens the whole rest of the book! The omniscient narration holds your attention and makes the book easy to read (which may be why it's the high school summer book) but there is no plot! At all. None of the characters do anything interesting or have any insight into anything or are even likable.
Lots of food descriptions. But as we know, diversity is more than food! Tell us a story--have Gogol marry the WASP and try to bring up kids in two cultures, have him experience discrimination in trying to become a top architect--anything!! A break-up within a quick marriage, resolved in a few pages. Ugh. Easy to read...
The book had great promise at the beginning. Great descriptions of Cambridge, and places I know well. Gogol's father's train accident, and his subsequent naming his son for the author of a book he was reading seemed to portend something exciting that might happen later: Gogol becomes a terrorist, or kills himself, or travels to Russia to unravel his past...
Guess what? Nothing happens the whole rest of the book! The omniscient narration holds your attention and makes the book easy to read (which may be why it's the high school summer book) but there is no plot! At all. None of the characters do anything interesting or have any insight into anything or are even likable.
Lots of food descriptions. But as we know, diversity is more than food! Tell us a story--have Gogol marry the WASP and try to bring up kids in two cultures, have him experience discrimination in trying to become a top architect--anything!! A break-up within a quick marriage, resolved in a few pages. Ugh. Easy to read...
agrao10's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0