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caitlinxmartin's review against another edition
4.0
This slim novel is a wonderful multicultural take on Chaucer's [b:The Canterbury Tales|2696|The Canterbury Tales|Geoffrey Chaucer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1261208589s/2696.jpg|986234]. The place is an Indian visa and passport office in a city that is unnamed, but is pretty obviously San Francisco. The people are nine survivors of an earthquake that has buried them underneath the rubble with multiple injuries, limited supplies, and water beginning to pour in. There is no obvious way out and so they must wait and figure out how to survive until rescue comes. The characters are diverse and as each of them takes a turn telling a story to pass the time we are reminded that everyone has something to live for and that our stories are what connects us.
This was an especially poignant read in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Divakaruni takes what could have been trite and cliched and turns it into something warm, human and unpredictable.
This was an especially poignant read in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. Divakaruni takes what could have been trite and cliched and turns it into something warm, human and unpredictable.
junenez's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise and I enjoyed that it felt like short stories. I was annoyed with the ambiguous ending. Otherwise I would have given it 4 stars
melifls's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
madelynhardy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
valpogal's review against another edition
3.0
A Solid 3 1/2. This is a good story - or rather multiple stories woven into one - rather like the Canterbury Tales. I have two quibbles with the book. First, the stories are a bit uneven; some of the stories are significantly stronger than the others. I felt the author wasn't quite sure what to do with one or two of the characters. And second, like many other reviewers, I wasn't taken with the way the author ends the novel. I didn't hate the ending, I just would have liked things wrapped up a bit more.
I enjoyed this book, not as much as "Sister of My Heart" and I will certainly read the author's next story.
I enjoyed this book, not as much as "Sister of My Heart" and I will certainly read the author's next story.
stephen_coulon's review against another edition
3.0
A California earthquake traps nine strangers beneath the Indian consulate. To survive, the diverse and incongruous group (American, Indian, Chinese, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, young, old, wealthy, poor, etc) must learn to trust one another, a task ultimately accomplished by taking turns sharing a story of a formative moment from their lives. This confessional theme is the novel’s strength, the message of hope that faithful openness can bridge people across belief and culture is developed with honesty and touched with realism. Divakaruni capably changes voice between the varying characters and at moments writes with enchanting insight. I'm trying this novel out right now as a text for my AP Lit course, waiting to see what the students think.
tsoutham's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this book on tape and wondered again at how our life narratives (which we seldom take the time to tell in full) so shape the here and now. And we are in complete control of how these narratives are told!
jesbee's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the book. A lot of the stories, though, seemed to end abruptly as if there was supposed to be a bit more to it, but there wasn't. Still a good read :)
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
5.0
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a smattering of short stories within the context of a larger story. Basically an earth quake hits some town in California, so I think nine people are trapped in the Indian Consulate office. These people are all panicing and unhappy until Uma, a grad student who reads awesome books like The Canterbury Tales comes up with the idea to have all who are trapped share one amazing story from their lives.
Read the rest of my review here
Read the rest of my review here