A Fine Balance
Registered by symphonicca of Ottawa, Ontario Canada on 1/15/2007
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
2 journalers for this copy...
I got this in the book exchange bookshelf at the south American Explorers club in Lima. Have heard fabulous things about it and have been wanting to read it for some time.
I have already started reading it, and is very good so far--- it looked a bit daunting as it quite big, but the words just fly by and the story is really captivating. Imagine there will be lots of characters that will pass through this narrative, which i like.
Will journal again when i have finished.
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Update Jan 22: So far a great book---- reminds me in some ways of 1000 years of solitude with all of the character backstory and intertwining of histories. The writing is really fluid and so for a long book, it is easy to read and goes by really quickly. Can see why it was as popular as it was!
I have already started reading it, and is very good so far--- it looked a bit daunting as it quite big, but the words just fly by and the story is really captivating. Imagine there will be lots of characters that will pass through this narrative, which i like.
Will journal again when i have finished.
____________________________
Update Jan 22: So far a great book---- reminds me in some ways of 1000 years of solitude with all of the character backstory and intertwining of histories. The writing is really fluid and so for a long book, it is easy to read and goes by really quickly. Can see why it was as popular as it was!
A great book. For a lot of reasons.
1) the writing. As I mentioned above, it is so fluid and seemingly effortless. But at the same time you know the guy put a TON of effort and thought into the passages.
2) the characters: I loved them all, in different ways---- Dina with her sharp wit and unwillingness to conform; Manek and his desire to be 'wanted' in so many ways; Ishvar with his cool calmness and thoughtfulness in the face of so many hardships; Om's defiance and passion. But complex as well--- all had strengths and all had flaws--- but none were overstated or overdone, i thought. And of course the side characters--- LOVED Shankar and the Beggarmaster, Rajaram creeped me out majorly, etc...
3) the setting: how does one touch on the complexity of indian society and culture without getitng mired in the details? And yet he does it.
4) the stories: sometimes the stories felt surreal or out of this realm, but he never really took it that far. They were fascinating, multifaceted, often tragic and sad, but always with a sense of realism and, it seemed often, a sense of humour. And i think this sense of humour is what made this book so good too--- the characters, and the story itself, never got too bogged down in its own tragedy--- and yet it was tragic and poignant and painful in so many ways. However, one always had to smile or chortle at some point, because there was nothign else to do and one has to continue on no matter what horrible things happen. Not exactly 'make the best of a horrible situation', but more 'find a way to cope and encounter those small moments of peace and humanity in an otherwise inhumane situation".
Anyway, loved the book and am very happy i got a chance to reead it! Not sure what i will be doing with it yet--- it is quite big, so will probably be passing it along to the other resident gringo in town instead of mailing it somewhere.
1) the writing. As I mentioned above, it is so fluid and seemingly effortless. But at the same time you know the guy put a TON of effort and thought into the passages.
2) the characters: I loved them all, in different ways---- Dina with her sharp wit and unwillingness to conform; Manek and his desire to be 'wanted' in so many ways; Ishvar with his cool calmness and thoughtfulness in the face of so many hardships; Om's defiance and passion. But complex as well--- all had strengths and all had flaws--- but none were overstated or overdone, i thought. And of course the side characters--- LOVED Shankar and the Beggarmaster, Rajaram creeped me out majorly, etc...
3) the setting: how does one touch on the complexity of indian society and culture without getitng mired in the details? And yet he does it.
4) the stories: sometimes the stories felt surreal or out of this realm, but he never really took it that far. They were fascinating, multifaceted, often tragic and sad, but always with a sense of realism and, it seemed often, a sense of humour. And i think this sense of humour is what made this book so good too--- the characters, and the story itself, never got too bogged down in its own tragedy--- and yet it was tragic and poignant and painful in so many ways. However, one always had to smile or chortle at some point, because there was nothign else to do and one has to continue on no matter what horrible things happen. Not exactly 'make the best of a horrible situation', but more 'find a way to cope and encounter those small moments of peace and humanity in an otherwise inhumane situation".
Anyway, loved the book and am very happy i got a chance to reead it! Not sure what i will be doing with it yet--- it is quite big, so will probably be passing it along to the other resident gringo in town instead of mailing it somewhere.
Passed this on to the other gringo in town--- enjoy!! :)
This book is the definition of heavy. I enjoyed the story, but I'm not sure I would travel to Inda just based on the book. I did like that Mistry didn't to give a happy ending .. although a little hope wouldn't have killed him.
Journal Entry 5 by symphonicca at Hotel Los Balcones, Calle Puno in Huancayo, Junín Peru on Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (3/26/2007 UTC) at Hotel Los Balcones, Calle Puno in Huancayo, Junín Peru
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Left this n the comnputer desk in the awesome lobby of this awesome hotel! Actually suggested a traveller take it, as she spoke english... let{s see if she journals!
Left this n the comnputer desk in the awesome lobby of this awesome hotel! Actually suggested a traveller take it, as she spoke english... let{s see if she journals!
