'Set in mid-1970s India, "A Fine Balance" is a subtle and compelling narrative about four unlikely characters who come together in circumstances no one could have foreseen soon after the government declares a 'State of Internal Emergency'. It is a breathtaking achievement: panoramic yet humane, intensely political yet rich with local detail; and, above all, compulsively readable.'

A '1001 ...' book going travelling.

Tubereader - UK
NICNIC2 - UK

DK1010 - US (prefers US)
pammykn - US

No special rules or conditions - just manners!

And I thought I had problems!
This took me a week to read, was shattering but compelling.

Off to Tubereader in Monday's mail.

Came back from a trip this morning and the book was waiting for me. Thanks cat207 for sharing it!

The book is quite long (614 pages of small print) so I might take a while to get through it, but I will do my best to pass it on as soon as possible.

UPDATE 27/04/08: I have started reading this book today, liking it so far (only 25 pages read!). Given the lenght and small print, it will take me a little to finish it, hopefully not more than 1 or 2 weeks.

UPDATE 06/05/08: I have read about two thirds of the book and I am really enjoying it, so many stories (you could make several separate books out of it!). I hope I will finish reading it by the end of the week so have PMed NICNIC2 for the address and will release the book as soon as I am done with it.

Wow, I really liked the book. Very sad at some points, I am still debating whether the end is sad or hopeful. I guess a bit of both.

I think this is the first book I read that gives such a detailed picture of India. Not sure if it is biased or not, but it definitely feels very real.

I'll try to pop it in the mail for NICNIC2 today or tomorrow.

Thanks again to cat207 for sharing!

RELEASE NOTES:

I have sent this off to NICNIC2 who is the next one on the ring. Hopefully it will get to her beginning of next week (maybe it will take a bit longer as not sure the book has gone off as a letter or a package given its weight, I am not very familiar with UK's postal system!).

Happy reading!

Arrived safely. Will get to this asap (after I've read Cancer Ward!). Looking forward to reading this one!!

Well, I finally got to the end of this today. It has taken me an age to read it. I found it very depressing. But I have to admit I am a little impressed by the lack of a happy ending. After all, this novel deals with real events and for it to end in a happily ever after would be unrealistic and untrue to the rest of the narrative. This is the second of Mistry's books I have read and evn though it took me quite a long time to read I still felt carried along by his narrative style. Overall this is a very sad, disturbing and compelling novel.

I have DK1010's details so I'll be sending this to the US tomorrow.

I now have this book. Thank you for sharing and mailing. I will read this soon.

WOW, this is a startling book. It took a long time for me to read. It is a very serious story about a recent time in India's History. I was startled to learn of the abuses people were forced to endure during the "Emergency". The first half of the book was quite interesting. The final quarter of the book is horrible - that is the story events, not the writing. The writing is very good, but the story is horrific. I am wondering if all of these terrible events could happen to these people. I suppose it is possible. I do feel compelled to learn more about India's history. I will not recommend this for anyone who is not a reader of woeful award winning books. Even though the events are tragic, like any political stories, it is a story that must be told, and must be read by many. I suppose that is why this book was on the man booker shortlist and on the 1001 books you must read list. Yes, these stories must be shared.
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To continue the bookring, I'll mail the book on Monday to pammykn.

Thanks rec'd today. It looks like I'm last on the list are there any new entries should I send it back to originator?

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