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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
By far my favorite book I have read in 2019. I have enjoyed the glimpse into life as a farmer in rural India. Following Rukmani’s journey and each situation she went through, I have a better appreciation for the graces in my life. I recommend this read to everyone. Thanks Mrs. Bardine!
Wow
That's all I have to say, wow -excellent writing. Such a heart wrenching store and a picture of another world.
That's all I have to say, wow -excellent writing. Such a heart wrenching store and a picture of another world.
I have read this book once before but I didn't remember it very well. I just remember liking it a lot. Now that I'm reading it again the details are starting to come back to me. This book is intriguing to read from the very beginning. Some things about it that I don't like are the whole situation with Kunthi (the prostitute) and how that is not explored or explained further. I also don't like how the sons who move away just seem to disappear off of the face of the earth, but then again I guess maybe that's how things are in those situations. I love the character of Kenny. Overall, it's a very good book.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Grief, Colonisation
Moderate: Sexism, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Abandonment
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5
It was my summer reading for school. I’m honestly proud of myself for finishing it in such a short amount of time even if it was a short book
It was my summer reading for school. I’m honestly proud of myself for finishing it in such a short amount of time even if it was a short book
If it wasn't for my English Honors syllabus, I don't think I would ever come across this novel, and would have read it in one sitting.
[a: Kamala Markandaya|58634|Kamala Markandaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411212131p2/58634.jpg] remarkably, in much simple language draws a beautiful, bitter-sweet and tragic portrait of the people who struggle to just live and evade hunger in their day to day life, in her novel [b: Nectar in a Sieve|101509|Nectar in a Sieve|Kamala Markandaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348811536s/101509.jpg|658251] and the way she paints their fortunes trodden in misery, that lasts longer and longer than the joyous memories they had once lived through- only growing fleeting and distant with each turn of the page.
I loved the way the story moved, the plot grew only more saddening and how we get to see the inner wishes of Rukmani, her regrets and her certain memories which shine bright like diamonds as she keeps narrating her live's story. I loved Nathan to bits! He was such a good husband and loved Rukmani so much, their relationships was so admirable till the end...how he stuck with her through sticks and stones and how she was always there to shield him from those sharp stones; they are always there for each other in their ailing starving, hopeless moments.
The one thing that is very clear in this novel - rather in the character Rukmani and her family - is Hope: it's in their hearts, their hut, their relations, in religion, in their beliefs, in their paddy field, in the rice grains, in their harvests, in their festivals, in their adjusts to change, in their children, in their futures and even in the present, in the weather....in all the nature that surrounds them - the Mother Earth they laid their lives to, is their one and only home.
The tragically difficult struggle filled life the farmers or the low classes in India live, is very powerfully brought to light and one can only sympathize with the novel's characters. It left me rather sad in the end, and gave me an insight that I know the Class Hierarchy avoids o see. But the author made sure that their lives, making Rukmani as the Universal relatable character and the woman of love and sacrifice in each household, is blatantly shown in detail - from conceiving many children in hopes for a son to how starvation is their Devil from Hell when worrying to feed such mouth-fulls, to how sons are the hopeful "rescuers" of their parents in their later life....it's all there!
It gets intolerable to bear the suffering the characters have to go through at some point in the novel, but think about it - it's what has happened, is happening and shall continue to happen in the real Indian society and that makes this novel all the more real and the ending, all the more unbearable.
[a: Kamala Markandaya|58634|Kamala Markandaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1411212131p2/58634.jpg] remarkably, in much simple language draws a beautiful, bitter-sweet and tragic portrait of the people who struggle to just live and evade hunger in their day to day life, in her novel [b: Nectar in a Sieve|101509|Nectar in a Sieve|Kamala Markandaya|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348811536s/101509.jpg|658251] and the way she paints their fortunes trodden in misery, that lasts longer and longer than the joyous memories they had once lived through- only growing fleeting and distant with each turn of the page.
I loved the way the story moved, the plot grew only more saddening and how we get to see the inner wishes of Rukmani, her regrets and her certain memories which shine bright like diamonds as she keeps narrating her live's story. I loved Nathan to bits! He was such a good husband and loved Rukmani so much, their relationships was so admirable till the end...how he stuck with her through sticks and stones and how she was always there to shield him from those sharp stones; they are always there for each other in their ailing starving, hopeless moments.
The one thing that is very clear in this novel - rather in the character Rukmani and her family - is Hope: it's in their hearts, their hut, their relations, in religion, in their beliefs, in their paddy field, in the rice grains, in their harvests, in their festivals, in their adjusts to change, in their children, in their futures and even in the present, in the weather....in all the nature that surrounds them - the Mother Earth they laid their lives to, is their one and only home.
The tragically difficult struggle filled life the farmers or the low classes in India live, is very powerfully brought to light and one can only sympathize with the novel's characters. It left me rather sad in the end, and gave me an insight that I know the Class Hierarchy avoids o see. But the author made sure that their lives, making Rukmani as the Universal relatable character and the woman of love and sacrifice in each household, is blatantly shown in detail - from conceiving many children in hopes for a son to how starvation is their Devil from Hell when worrying to feed such mouth-fulls, to how sons are the hopeful "rescuers" of their parents in their later life....it's all there!
It gets intolerable to bear the suffering the characters have to go through at some point in the novel, but think about it - it's what has happened, is happening and shall continue to happen in the real Indian society and that makes this novel all the more real and the ending, all the more unbearable.
Read this for my tenth grade English class. Wasn't the best and couldn't relate that well, but still amazing writing. I thought the story was intriguing.
But it's been two years and I don't remember my reactions/opinion so I'll just leave it at that.
But it's been two years and I don't remember my reactions/opinion so I'll just leave it at that.
I loved this book. I read this for my class and it was great. I loved the exploration of grief, poverty, gender roles and everything in general. I have never read a book set in India and it was time. I’ll be sure to read more from this author!