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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
My relationship with this book was a bit complicated. Every time I started reading it I'd think, "Wow, this is good. I wonder what's going to happen next!" But then as soon as I set it down I immediately lost that interest. Then I'd return to it kind of half-heartedly, at which point I would again remark on my own enjoyment of it and wonder why I hadn't come back to it sooner.
I'm not sure what it was about The Golden Son that just didn't pull me in. The relationships between people are generally well drawn out and complex enough to be believable. Gowda does a really great job dealing with race relations and the challenges of being a newcomer to another country that is completely different from one's home. I also thought the stresses and social pressures put on Leena to keep from dishonouring her family were poignant and tragic.
That said, I never felt as connected to the main characters as I'd like to have been. It was difficult for me to think of Anil as a real guy, even though the challenges he was going through at the hospital and in his personal life were so compelling. He just didn't really fully emerge for me as a relatable character. Leena was better in this regard, but we see so much less of her that she couldn't really get fully fleshed out in my mind either. The dialogue contributed to this in a lot of ways; it often felt stilted. The best example of this I can think of is when Anil and Amber go on a date, and he makes a mildly snarky comment about a fancy restaurant not offering garlic bread when you can just get it at Olive Garden. Anil and Amber erupt into hysterical peals of laughter at this. They are literally described as wiping tears from their eyes. I mean, it's mildly amusing, I guess, but this seemed a bit over the top. And any other time something even remotely funny was said, the characters just lost their shit at it. It just wasn't particularly believable. However, some of the more sincere reactions between more important characters were better in this respect, so it wasn't terrible.
I think this book is probably on a similar level with Secret Daughter. If I'm remembering that book correctly, it too tied everything up with a neat little bow at the end, leaving you ultimately satisfied with the book but probably without any profound take-aways.
I'm not sure what it was about The Golden Son that just didn't pull me in. The relationships between people are generally well drawn out and complex enough to be believable. Gowda does a really great job dealing with race relations and the challenges of being a newcomer to another country that is completely different from one's home. I also thought the stresses and social pressures put on Leena to keep from dishonouring her family were poignant and tragic.
That said, I never felt as connected to the main characters as I'd like to have been. It was difficult for me to think of Anil as a real guy, even though the challenges he was going through at the hospital and in his personal life were so compelling. He just didn't really fully emerge for me as a relatable character. Leena was better in this regard, but we see so much less of her that she couldn't really get fully fleshed out in my mind either. The dialogue contributed to this in a lot of ways; it often felt stilted. The best example of this I can think of is when Anil and Amber go on a date, and he makes a mildly snarky comment about a fancy restaurant not offering garlic bread when you can just get it at Olive Garden. Anil and Amber erupt into hysterical peals of laughter at this. They are literally described as wiping tears from their eyes. I mean, it's mildly amusing, I guess, but this seemed a bit over the top. And any other time something even remotely funny was said, the characters just lost their shit at it. It just wasn't particularly believable. However, some of the more sincere reactions between more important characters were better in this respect, so it wasn't terrible.
I think this book is probably on a similar level with Secret Daughter. If I'm remembering that book correctly, it too tied everything up with a neat little bow at the end, leaving you ultimately satisfied with the book but probably without any profound take-aways.
Just. Plain. Awesome! I loved this novel from the beginning to the end. Beautifully written. I felt like I was "with" these characters as they experienced their life events. Bravo, Mrs. Gowda!
One of the rare books that ends even better than I could have expected. The characters were so real and likable- it was truly a delight to learn from their experiences alongside them. Reminded me a bit of India, which was fun for me. So many life lessons here- a tale of learning and growing, letting go, persevering, and being true to yourself (and to those you love). Wow wow wow- slow at times but I loved this book!
Somaya Gowda writes in way that is easy for readers to get through. However, her story of the Indian diaspora to America, laid parallel with the lives of those back home in a small village, is not a unique one. While I found the development of characters intriguing, most particularly that of the character Leena; there was something about the book that didn’t quite grip me. I did enjoy the comparison made between the caste system in India with the racism experienced by the characters in America; but it would have been nice if she explored this theme a little more. Overall however it was a really quick and enjoyable read.
challenging
emotional
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:
Yes
An interesting story about a boy from a small town in India who overcomes many obstacles and ends up in Texas as a doctor. Though, I thought Anil struggles in coming to terms with the different person he is becoming in America vs. his childhood/ young adult self was more profound.
Five stunning, incredible stars. This book goes on my Best of All Time list, no question. These characters will stay with me for a long, long time. I don’t want to leave Anil’s world. Highly recommend this book to just about anyone. A beautiful, moving, heart-wrenching story.
I want to give this a 4.5. I generally reserve 5 stars for books I would read more than once. I don’t know that I’ll read this one again, but it was an excellent book offered by a clearly gifted storyteller. I will eagerly seek more by her.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Je suis déçue : ce livre n'est qu'une pâle copie d’un feuilleton bollywoodien, avec du drame empilé sur de la romance et rien de plus profond. Il a une écriture simpliste, un mélodrame inutile et beaucoup d’incohérences dans l’intrigue.
J’ai été si souvent agacée en lisant Un fils en or. J'ai été agacée par le fait que Leena ait rassemblé tous ces roseaux sans but précis jusqu'à ce qu'elle décide, par hasard, d'en faire des paniers, qui se vendent au marché et sauvent sa famille! Et du jour au lendemain, les autres marchands se souviennent qu'ils ont une longue tradition de vannerie dans leurs villages, alors ils surchargent le marché et Leena est chassée du marché (Sérieusement ? Ces gens n'ont jamais vendu de paniers avant ?) Et d’un seul coup, Leena est capable d’apprendre elle-même comment faire et cuire des poteries, devenant si experte qu'en quelques mois elle reçoit des commandes d'entreprises et sa famille est sauvée!
Mais le pire problème que j'ai eu lors de ma lecture est le suivant : Lorsque Baldev est presque battu à mort par les deux voisins de leur appartement, il faut des pages pour découvrir qu'il n'a pas l'intention de porter plainte. C’est accepté comme raisonnable et seule Amber est assez effrayée pour déménager de l'immeuble et les voisins ne sont plus jamais mentionnés. Pourtant, lorsque la nièce de Leena se présente avec des traces physiques de coups, Anil est abasourdi par le fait qu'ils ne vont pas aller voir la police, ces mêmes policiers du village qui n'ont pas porté plainte lorsque Leena a été incendiée. Le même homme qui ne s'attendait pas à ce que justice soit faite pour une tentative de meurtre à Dallas va exiger que la police d'une région rurale de l'Inde face quelque chose contre un père qui frappe sa fille ? Il n'y a tout simplement aucune logique dans ce scénario.
Je ne m'étendrai pas sur l'intrigue secondaire de Trey, qui n'a rien à voir avec le sujet, et qui selon moi n’apporte rien au livre et au déroulement de l’histoire, et je ne me plaindrai pas du fait que Charlie avait besoin d'une caractérisation un peu plus poussée, puisque sa présence dans ce livre est presque inutile.
Ce livre était certes facile à lire et à comprendre, mais le comportement humain est selon moi mal caractérisé, et même si ce livre fait voyager, il ne fait que peu réfléchir, et est rempli de clichés, avec une histoire prévisible et des personnages soit mal ou peu approfondis.
J’ai été si souvent agacée en lisant Un fils en or. J'ai été agacée par le fait que Leena ait rassemblé tous ces roseaux sans but précis jusqu'à ce qu'elle décide, par hasard, d'en faire des paniers, qui se vendent au marché et sauvent sa famille! Et du jour au lendemain, les autres marchands se souviennent qu'ils ont une longue tradition de vannerie dans leurs villages, alors ils surchargent le marché et Leena est chassée du marché (Sérieusement ? Ces gens n'ont jamais vendu de paniers avant ?) Et d’un seul coup, Leena est capable d’apprendre elle-même comment faire et cuire des poteries, devenant si experte qu'en quelques mois elle reçoit des commandes d'entreprises et sa famille est sauvée!
Mais le pire problème que j'ai eu lors de ma lecture est le suivant : Lorsque Baldev est presque battu à mort par les deux voisins de leur appartement, il faut des pages pour découvrir qu'il n'a pas l'intention de porter plainte. C’est accepté comme raisonnable et seule Amber est assez effrayée pour déménager de l'immeuble et les voisins ne sont plus jamais mentionnés. Pourtant, lorsque la nièce de Leena se présente avec des traces physiques de coups, Anil est abasourdi par le fait qu'ils ne vont pas aller voir la police, ces mêmes policiers du village qui n'ont pas porté plainte lorsque Leena a été incendiée. Le même homme qui ne s'attendait pas à ce que justice soit faite pour une tentative de meurtre à Dallas va exiger que la police d'une région rurale de l'Inde face quelque chose contre un père qui frappe sa fille ? Il n'y a tout simplement aucune logique dans ce scénario.
Je ne m'étendrai pas sur l'intrigue secondaire de Trey, qui n'a rien à voir avec le sujet, et qui selon moi n’apporte rien au livre et au déroulement de l’histoire, et je ne me plaindrai pas du fait que Charlie avait besoin d'une caractérisation un peu plus poussée, puisque sa présence dans ce livre est presque inutile.
Ce livre était certes facile à lire et à comprendre, mais le comportement humain est selon moi mal caractérisé, et même si ce livre fait voyager, il ne fait que peu réfléchir, et est rempli de clichés, avec une histoire prévisible et des personnages soit mal ou peu approfondis.
This is the third book I have read by this Author. She is a fantastic writer. Although a little longer, the story was so wonderful and engaging I didn't want it to end. Highly recommend.