Customer Reviews
Fabulous! - By: M. J. Martin, 20 Oct 2008 
Excellent book. The best read I have had for many years - couldn't put it down.
My favourite book - By: J. Roach, 14 Oct 2008 This is the book I recommend to every one of my friends. It is utterly beautiful, tragic & yet hopeful. I grew to love the characters & found the way Mistry conveys the complexity of human relationships wonderfully satisfying.
What the Dickens - By: Saffron, 15 Aug 2008 As another reviewer has already said, Rohinton Mistry has echoed Dickensin this book. It is a social commentary about how well-meaning political decisions have a huge impact on the ordinary people. I read this after being badgered to by my godmother, & I am really glad that she kept on at me until i did.
It is at times an uncomfortable read - it highlights caste violence, government-backed brutality & extreme poverty, without ever sensationalising any of it. It is also, believe it or not, humourous, gentle & touching at the same time as being absolutely tragic & harrowing. the characters are beautifully fleshed-out, & the sights, smells & tastes of India are there as you read. I was so engrossedin the characters that I desperately wanted a happy ending for them all.
Whilst reading, it was sometimes hard to believe that this book is setin relatively modern times - the 70s - so cruel & astonishing are some of the incidents it relates. When I finished, I looked around at my home & children & realised exactly how fortunate I am. Not life-changing perhaps, but profoundly moving & unforgettable.
Beautiful book - By: Rachel Paley, 12 Aug 2008 This book is really beautiful - & one of my all time favourite novels.
Whilst it is sad, the characters also have a good sense of humour & find comfortin their unlikely friendship with each other.
I think it is also an interesting exploration of how well-meaning political decisions can have a significant impact on the individual.
A work of art - By: Shezza77, 02 Aug 2008 This is an unbelievably fabulous book. I am not going to write a long review as I do not know how to find the words to do the book justice. I've passed it on to several friends & I can't wait for them to finish reading it so I can discuss it with them.
It is very rare to read a book when the characters come alive for you. I felt I knew these characters & I began dreaming about them & thinking about them during everyday life.
The themes & issues dealt with by Mistry have changed the way I view the world & have had a huge impact upon my outlook. I cried several times during my reading of the book & had to put it aside for some hours before I could continue reading.
The ending is shocking & will stay with me forever.
I highly recommend reading this book but please be prepared for the impact it will have upon you.
Rohinton Mistry,in my view, is one of the finest writers of our day.
