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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This is a novel that takes you by the shoulders and shakes you. It's a novel with another novel hidden inside it. It is dazzling.
The novel starts with the life story of Anjum in Old Delhi, raised a boy, who overcomes much to grow into herself, and is surrounded by beloved eccentrics. When Anjum meets Tilo, the novel switches to Tilo's story, a difficult character who journeys into a dirty civil war in Kashmir.
There are lines of transcendent beauty in both stories, and both stories have unforgettable horrors: communal violence, homophobic abuse, poverty and corruption, torture and murder and grief. Arundhati Roy obliges the reader to examine truths they might prefer to ignore, about India and about human beings. The writing is exquisite, even when it hurts.
As Tilo's story shifted back and forth in time, I doubted it could fit with Anjum's. I was not only wrong, I was utterly wowed.
The novel starts with the life story of Anjum in Old Delhi, raised a boy, who overcomes much to grow into herself, and is surrounded by beloved eccentrics. When Anjum meets Tilo, the novel switches to Tilo's story, a difficult character who journeys into a dirty civil war in Kashmir.
There are lines of transcendent beauty in both stories, and both stories have unforgettable horrors: communal violence, homophobic abuse, poverty and corruption, torture and murder and grief. Arundhati Roy obliges the reader to examine truths they might prefer to ignore, about India and about human beings. The writing is exquisite, even when it hurts.
As Tilo's story shifted back and forth in time, I doubted it could fit with Anjum's. I was not only wrong, I was utterly wowed.
Even though I read some of the reviews of this book, I was still surprised to see how political the book was, and how little I know about politics in India. But! Arundhati Roy is always fun to read. It is so amazing to me how she can change her writing style to match the characters she's writing as.
But! This is four stars and not five cause I thought that the timeline was a bit confusing at some points... like the landlord to Tilo back to Anjum. I dunno, maybe it's cos I put this book down to finish the McCann one and I lost track of who was doing what, but I loved how complex everyone was and how there was a lot of diversity with the characters, their attitudes, and their worldviews. It was a fun read, although really politically heavy but an important read regardless.
But! This is four stars and not five cause I thought that the timeline was a bit confusing at some points... like the landlord to Tilo back to Anjum. I dunno, maybe it's cos I put this book down to finish the McCann one and I lost track of who was doing what, but I loved how complex everyone was and how there was a lot of diversity with the characters, their attitudes, and their worldviews. It was a fun read, although really politically heavy but an important read regardless.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Beautiful, layeted reflection on violence, grief, and love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, Classism
Definitely a CHARACTER driven book. The plot was not strong, by design. the story centers on two main characters Anjum (most of the book) and Tilo, who is only really introduced halfway through. Themes include class discrimination and religious conflict (Muslim/Hindu). There were a lot of characters, and listening on audio book it was hard to keep track of everyone and their backstories… The Tilo story line was particularly difficult for me to latch onto, because it started so late into the book. The book seemed to be trying to accomplish too much. It was Fine. It did not make much impression on me. I listened to it and then moved on.
There was a lot - A LOT - going on, and I didn't really find the connection, literally or conceptually. I thought it was at least partially because I was distracted, but the next book I read had lots going on, but kept my attention just fine. The subject matter is interesting, heart wrenching stuff. So hard to believe that it's taking place during my lifetime.
This is not a good as her first novel in terms of overall structure but the writing is still as beautiful as ever.
A lush sprawling book infused with poetry and a glimpse of a world far beyond my own. Heart-breaking.
