A review by dashes101
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

A book I'm glad I read but would never recommend without many, many warnings. It's set during the Emergency in India and discusses major themes -- the role of capitalism, fate, trauma and trauma responses, history, Indira Ghandi and her effects on India, nationhood, femininity, masculinity, nihilism to name a few. The characters seem real and you will scream, cry, shake, or whatever you do when you read something horrifically shocking. Mistry really crafts his writing to pack a punch. If you want to learn more about Indian history without picking up a textbook, definitely read the warnings and then pick this one up. 
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