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saf_reads_b00k5 's review for:
The Inheritance of Loss
by Kiran Desai
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I finally finished reading this after picking it up several times but never getting past the first page. Someone else pointed out in their review that this book has no start and no end, and I have to agree.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading The Inheritance of Loss for its careful handling of generational trauma, cultural nuances and societal structures. This book shows us another side of India that's as far from the "find yourself" spiritual experience of Eat, Pray, Love as you can get.
I feel like Kiran Desai did a good job of representing the different Indian and expat experiences. From the poorest rural Indians to the rich Indians who "make it" in America or England to non-Indians living in India. And all the complexities that come with class, race and social standing. But there were just too many characters to keep track of. I honestly still have no idea who Father Booty and Uncle Potty were. And I didn't really care.
The characters I liked the most were Biju and Sai. But even then I struggled to form a real attachment because the writing style was so unbiased. You end up not liking anyone. The judge was the most complicated character and I appreciate how you never quite know whether to hate him or feel sorry for him all the way to the end.
You're also not spoon fed AT ALL. I had to stop a few times to Google something as I had no idea what was being referenced. There's also a lot of dialogue in other languages (Hindu?!) but nowhere is it translated or a glossary provided. And in some ways I totally rate this. Like why should the reader have everything handed on a platter. Having said that, this book also deals with the complicated relationship between Nepalis, Indians, Bengalis and the Gorkhaland movement which I knew next to nothing about. So navigating and trying to understand the history there while also keeping track of loads of character AND untranslated dialogue made it tricky to stay immersed in the story.
However, I love learning through novels. And this book definitely taught me a lot and sent me down research rabbit holes that I probably would never had gone down if I hadn't read it.
Will I read it again? Probably not. But I won't say no to reading more from this author.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading The Inheritance of Loss for its careful handling of generational trauma, cultural nuances and societal structures. This book shows us another side of India that's as far from the "find yourself" spiritual experience of Eat, Pray, Love as you can get.
I feel like Kiran Desai did a good job of representing the different Indian and expat experiences. From the poorest rural Indians to the rich Indians who "make it" in America or England to non-Indians living in India. And all the complexities that come with class, race and social standing. But there were just too many characters to keep track of. I honestly still have no idea who Father Booty and Uncle Potty were. And I didn't really care.
The characters I liked the most were Biju and Sai. But even then I struggled to form a real attachment because the writing style was so unbiased. You end up not liking anyone. The judge was the most complicated character and I appreciate how you never quite know whether to hate him or feel sorry for him all the way to the end.
You're also not spoon fed AT ALL. I had to stop a few times to Google something as I had no idea what was being referenced. There's also a lot of dialogue in other languages (Hindu?!) but nowhere is it translated or a glossary provided. And in some ways I totally rate this. Like why should the reader have everything handed on a platter. Having said that, this book also deals with the complicated relationship between Nepalis, Indians, Bengalis and the Gorkhaland movement which I knew next to nothing about. So navigating and trying to understand the history there while also keeping track of loads of character AND untranslated dialogue made it tricky to stay immersed in the story.
However, I love learning through novels. And this book definitely taught me a lot and sent me down research rabbit holes that I probably would never had gone down if I hadn't read it.
Will I read it again? Probably not. But I won't say no to reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Xenophobia
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence