Reviews

China Room by Sunjeev Sahota

csgiansante's review against another edition

3.0

Definitely in the 3.5 territory. The resolution (if there even was one) felt very rushed compared to the rest of the book and the pacing was a bit all over the place throughout. But I did get drawn into both the storylines, but don't entirely understand why the 1999 storyline was required. I'd have preferred a bit more fleshing out of the 1929 story.

hhh_111's review against another edition

2.0

I liked the original story line, but felt like it ended somewhat abruptly. I kinda want to reread this book already. Favourite quote was falling out of love is different to letting go of the pain

tashab27's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

courtneyjane's review against another edition

5.0

An excellent little story that touches on a lot of stuff in a short amount of time.

Mainly though, the choices men get to make with no repercussions vs the non choices women get within a fundamental society.

Plus it's longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize.

More people should read this one.

emmyinthestacks's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

tara_pikachu's review against another edition

4.0

How is it possible that the author didn’t read a novel until he was 18? He is a natural storyteller. This book definitely left me wanting more.

spaul1's review against another edition

3.0

can appreciate but I think left me a little bored!

pawswithabook's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

1929 in rural Punjab, Mehar finds herself one of three brides of one of three brothers. Whilst she lives in a room, The China Room, with the other brides, her only contact with her husband is under the cover of darkness to hide his identity, but she believes she has discovered which of the brothers is hers. Separate, but strongly connected, in 1999 a young man travels from England to his ancestral home, to escape his troubles.

I’ve not read a book with a plot remotely like this one, and I was so much more invested in this book because of its originality…I didn’t know where it was going. 

The storytelling is beautiful, particularly the earlier period, which is hugely character driven and powerfully emotive.

Based on the older period alone, this book would’ve been a 5…and whilst there was less of the recent period, I did struggle a little with these sections, which were jumped into  with little warning, and fairly inconsistently (often when the original story is in flow, which probably put a barrier up to me fully engaging with it).

However, this was minor and me being picky…I found myself thinking about this book after reading it, and have already recommended it to a few people who I know would love it.

anniebh's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

mikzob's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75