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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
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
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is a slow indulgence. There are a lot of themes explored in this book that center around post-colonial effects and loss of identity. Throughout the book, there are shifting point of views involving characters who despise Indian anglophiles for not staying true to their own cultural authenticity and then, characters who are affronted by the Indian way of life; none of whom are content.
I would suggest taking your time reading this. The writing is beautifully descriptive and will easily transport the readers to the scene captured. Reading this novel as a NRI has its own charm, I am sure a lot of US based Indian immigrants will find certain parts of this book very relatable.
I would suggest taking your time reading this. The writing is beautifully descriptive and will easily transport the readers to the scene captured. Reading this novel as a NRI has its own charm, I am sure a lot of US based Indian immigrants will find certain parts of this book very relatable.
This book depressed the heck out of me. But it left me with a question...so many people will do anything, and even put up with a lot, just to get to America, stay here and raise their children here. How many go back to their own country, having given up? I don't know the answer, but I witness how people put up with horrible conditions to stay in this country because it's still better than where they came from.
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i found the characters to be distractingly unlikeable, or flat enough to be quickly forgotten. had some glimpses of insight and reflection that were interesting but overall, it isn't a novel that i would return to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
slow-paced
What did I just read?!
It is difficult to write about The Inheritance of Loss. I read this book few dyas ago and I still find myself thinking about the characters from the book. This book follows the life of a retired judge, his orphaned grandaughter, their cook and the cook’s son who has immigrated to the United States in search of better life. The novel's setting in the politically tumultuous northeastern part of India during the post-independence era serves as a backdrop for the lives of a constellation of characters, each navigating the remnants of a colonial past and the unsettling currents of a globalizing present.
The narrative style is strikingly lucid, and the pacing of the novel is notably brisk. Desai's deft narration sweeps across continents and timelines, transitioning seamlessly from the judge's present life with Sai, his granddaughter, and his loyal cook, to Biju, the cook's son, who is navigating the complexities and challenges of life as an undocumented immigrant in New York City. The narrative then arcs back to delve into the judge's past, revealing the layers of his character and the historical forces that have shaped him.
The writing is infused with humor, irony, and a deep poignancy that resonates with the reader. Desai's wit shines through her portrayal of the characters' idiosyncrasies and the absurdities of their situations, while her irony often underscores the stark contrasts and injustices present in their lives. The poignancy emerges from the heartfelt desires and struggles of each character, drawing the reader into a world where laughter and sorrow coexist.
Although I was disappointed at the ending of the book, like I did not understand why it hasd to end like that. It’s like I’m reading the book, hooked to it from page 1 and when I reach the last pages, I’m left hung. It left me with a sense of longing and unfulfillment.
All in all, I will still recommend this book despite the ending the journey is worth it.
It is difficult to write about The Inheritance of Loss. I read this book few dyas ago and I still find myself thinking about the characters from the book. This book follows the life of a retired judge, his orphaned grandaughter, their cook and the cook’s son who has immigrated to the United States in search of better life. The novel's setting in the politically tumultuous northeastern part of India during the post-independence era serves as a backdrop for the lives of a constellation of characters, each navigating the remnants of a colonial past and the unsettling currents of a globalizing present.
The narrative style is strikingly lucid, and the pacing of the novel is notably brisk. Desai's deft narration sweeps across continents and timelines, transitioning seamlessly from the judge's present life with Sai, his granddaughter, and his loyal cook, to Biju, the cook's son, who is navigating the complexities and challenges of life as an undocumented immigrant in New York City. The narrative then arcs back to delve into the judge's past, revealing the layers of his character and the historical forces that have shaped him.
The writing is infused with humor, irony, and a deep poignancy that resonates with the reader. Desai's wit shines through her portrayal of the characters' idiosyncrasies and the absurdities of their situations, while her irony often underscores the stark contrasts and injustices present in their lives. The poignancy emerges from the heartfelt desires and struggles of each character, drawing the reader into a world where laughter and sorrow coexist.
Although I was disappointed at the ending of the book, like I did not understand why it hasd to end like that. It’s like I’m reading the book, hooked to it from page 1 and when I reach the last pages, I’m left hung. It left me with a sense of longing and unfulfillment.
All in all, I will still recommend this book despite the ending the journey is worth it.
Loss of purpose, loss of communication with a loved one, loss of dignity, a patriot's loss of identity; the story is filled with loss and struggle to find meaning. Most of the time it is unbearable, the despair, but I think still an essential story to tell. I despise the character of the judge for all that he is most especially towards the second half of the story.
It is the first Indian story I've read and there are some revealing ideas and culture, some are pretty shocking to me. One is their awareness of their odor, their manner of speech; people usually complain about them.
Also, there is this one aha moment for me. There's this conversation about workers being paid less in jobs based in India for the same job if it's based in US. The common reasoning for this is India has lower cost of living allowance. But it was countered immediately in the monologue by asking what if the indian citizen wanted their child to study abroad to get the same quality of education as the students in that institution, or if they wanted to travel abroad, or to afford things abroad. Is the same salary still not justified? I was in Accenture before and I was informed that the salary for 1 US employess is to 7 Indians (not sure about the number but it's more than 5).
It is the first Indian story I've read and there are some revealing ideas and culture, some are pretty shocking to me. One is their awareness of their odor, their manner of speech; people usually complain about them.
Also, there is this one aha moment for me. There's this conversation about workers being paid less in jobs based in India for the same job if it's based in US. The common reasoning for this is India has lower cost of living allowance. But it was countered immediately in the monologue by asking what if the indian citizen wanted their child to study abroad to get the same quality of education as the students in that institution, or if they wanted to travel abroad, or to afford things abroad. Is the same salary still not justified? I was in Accenture before and I was informed that the salary for 1 US employess is to 7 Indians (not sure about the number but it's more than 5).
emotional
sad
slow-paced