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chloelockwood's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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
4.25
rieviolet's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really appreciated the historical aspect of the novel and how the author built the setting and included elements of Indian culture into the narration.
The multiple point of views and timelines plus the different narrative styles (diary, letter, more straightforward narration etc.) made for a varied and engaging read. However, having three different POVs with all their thematical threads (along with a page-count on the shorter side) made the narration
feel somehow rushed at times, like some themes and characters needed
some more exploration.
I think the themes of racism and colonisation were the ones better depicted, because the author explored them from many different angles, giving a more complex and thorough picture.
The writing style was okay, it wasn't bad by any means but it didn't wow me. I usually underline passages/sentences that I really like but there wasn't anything that really stood out to me while reading.
There were quite a lot of family mysteries/secrets that got revealed slowly over the course of the narration. It certainly helped to keep the reader interested but I think that it became a bit too much; especially when it came to the character of Rebecca there were so many revelations, it felt a bit too melodramatic by the end.
Also, I think at times the tone was a bit too graphic, maybe unnecessarily, I don't know, it just did not feel very well inserted and blended into the narration. For example there were many dreamlike sections (at least it felt to me like there were too many, becoming a bit repetitive) that just went on and on, really piling up quite weird and disturbing details.
The ending came a bit suddenly and it was really open-ended, I have to admit I was a little disappointed by it.
The multiple point of views and timelines plus the different narrative styles (diary, letter, more straightforward narration etc.) made for a varied and engaging read. However, having three different POVs with all their thematical threads (along with a page-count on the shorter side) made the narration
feel somehow rushed at times, like some themes and characters needed
some more exploration.
I think the themes of racism and colonisation were the ones better depicted, because the author explored them from many different angles, giving a more complex and thorough picture.
The writing style was okay, it wasn't bad by any means but it didn't wow me. I usually underline passages/sentences that I really like but there wasn't anything that really stood out to me while reading.
There were quite a lot of family mysteries/secrets that got revealed slowly over the course of the narration. It certainly helped to keep the reader interested but I think that it became a bit too much; especially when it came to the character of Rebecca there were so many revelations, it felt a bit too melodramatic by the end.
Also, I think at times the tone was a bit too graphic, maybe unnecessarily, I don't know, it just did not feel very well inserted and blended into the narration. For example there were many dreamlike sections (at least it felt to me like there were too many, becoming a bit repetitive) that just went on and on, really piling up quite weird and disturbing details.
The ending came a bit suddenly and it was really open-ended, I have to admit I was a little disappointed by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Vomit, Abortion, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Fatphobia and Antisemitism
gio_shelves's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
shutupdivs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
i absolutely love multi-generational sagas and to think this one's set partly in colonial india and inter-war england !!!! i think this is an extremely important educational read, while it is also one of those stories ur gran tells you at bedtime :) the writing is wonderful, the pacing is just right, and i thought the character arcs were brilliant. what each narrator went through, their inner conflicts, and how those affected the family as a whole, everything is well thought out. i think sinha is a writer to look out for !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Xenophobia, Abortion, Colonisation, and War
john_bizzell's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Across three separate timelines we meet successive generations of a family impacted by the problems and prejudices of the British in India from the mid-19th to early-20th Centuries. The stories in each timeline are big enough that they warrant their own books (the Siege of Cawnpore, child abuse, the First World War), and so whilst there are important themes connecting them, I didn't get quite enough from each thread. In parts it felt quite rushed, or that there wasn't the space to properly explore the emotions involved. It's a shame, because I wanted to read more about each of the character's sense of belonging to England and India, to their families and to themselves.
katherinejayne's review against another edition
4.0
Working I’m at a heritage site with a strong connection to the British rule in India, I found this book both personally and professionally enriching.
The multiple narratives were a brilliant way to explore the different aspects of this story. Each was distinct and read well.
It’s given me a lot to ponder and also highlighted how little I actually know about the British rule, to the point where I will be searching some non fiction out.
The multiple narratives were a brilliant way to explore the different aspects of this story. Each was distinct and read well.
It’s given me a lot to ponder and also highlighted how little I actually know about the British rule, to the point where I will be searching some non fiction out.
readbyg's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the historical side of this, which isnt talked about much. The history it manages to span and different generations is amazing.
riddhikanetkar's review against another edition
4.0
At times, this novel felt a bit Kipling-esque, but I think the epistolary format was used really well to tie the Langdon family history together. It was interesting that their narratives were embedded against a backdrop of events in Indian history during British rule, which had a clear impact on the characters’ own actions. Especially, it was significant that Jagjit’s own disenfranchisement with Britain was developed after he served in the War, only to be discriminated as an Indian soldier, and to later discover Britain’s role in the Amritsar Massacre. The non-linear narrative also kept the book interesting until the very end, as it slowly unearthed the complexity of Lila’s own identity. And the bar is low, but I appreciated that the book negated any Orientalist perceptions of Indian culture.
janedallaway's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting tale, told in 3 parts across 3 generations - mother, son, daughter. But I didn’t find any of the characters particularly engaging or likeable so I didn’t find myself caring greatly about them. I think if I had then my overall rating of the book would have been higher.