A Fine Balance

Rating:
Summary: Historical context, great fiction
Review: A story set in India during a time of great poverty and political turmoil. Just when you think the main character has a tough life, you meet the 2 men she hires. Talk about perspective. All of a suddon she seems to have the privledged life. This is a story of people in dire conditions who learn to work together against the societal norms. Although this book was fairly long, it kept my attention and was not an "easy" book. It was challenging and well worth the reward of finishing.

Rating:
Summary: A Fine Balance
Review: A good read although it was rather depressing...it made me appreciate what i have

Rating:
Summary: I tried--I really, really tried
Review: I had a vague idea of what this book was about when I first started. But I had heard such wonderful things that I decided to give it a shot.

After several agonizing weeks of pushing myself to keep on going, I quit halfway through. I think the author's intention was good. But the writing style was hard to follow, and included so much extraneous information that it was hard to keep the characters straight. The author wrote extensively on the history of so many character's lives that they began to blend together. What I think would have been an amazing story about the human spirit got lost in tedious writing and unnecessary information.

Rating:
Summary: A Fine Balance, is a book to read
Review: I am a reader of many, many books each month. I like looking at life from the window of others. It broadens my own world to learn about others.

Without looking I am certain that many of the reviewers have taken you page by page through the book. I will not do that but will leave you with my thoughts on this important book. If you can only read one book this year, let it be " A Fine Balance."

Rating:
Summary: No Fine Balance Here
Review: Mistry's ability to interweave several heart-breaking stories in detail is prodigious. However, looking for balance is a relentless grind -- this novel is entirely too long, depressing and bereft of hope, despite the 'fine balance' between hope and despair it purports to represent. The concluding chapters are especially contrived and frankly, unbelievable. The story grinds to a halt in much the same inexcusable way as A Man in Full, leaving this reader especially vexed at wasting so much time reading it. The attempt to associate this tale with Balzac's Pere Goriot is hubristic at worst, wishful thinking at best.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: I am an avid reader and was extremely impressed with this book. Takes place in 1975 India and tells the story of a few different people and their experiences etc. Explains a lot about Caste systems and how they work - the hardships and triumphs (as small as they may be) that affect these peoples lives. It can be difficult to read at times by very engrossing. "FINE BALANCE" refers to the balance between hope and despair. EXCELLENT Book! This has earned a space on my bookshelf with a few of my favorites. Please do not let the size of this book deter you it is worth every word.

Rating:
Summary: Huh?
Review: Sorry, couldn't get through this one....lost my interest in the first chapter and reading each paragraph was like trying to decipher the Russian language.

Rating:
Summary: simply the best book I have ever read
Review: Wish I could give it more than 5 stars-it is a 10 star plus book. Please please do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It is wonderful, tragic, magical... all the things that make for a memorable read. It has been a month since I finished it, and yet the ending still haunts me, and it will you too!

Rating:
Summary: Leaves you awakened, speechless and upset
Review: You will never read another 'airport' book again. Airport books being the ones written by Grisham, Crichton, Cook, Ludlum etc. that are all plot and can be finished on a semi-oxygenated airplane with the engine blaring.
I don't want to repeat what's already been said by others, so...
Mistry will test your mental strength and ethical tolerance. You will realize how fortunate you are. An essential read.

Rating:
Summary: A Tragedy
Review: As I got closer to the end of the novel I kept hoping that these four characters would reunite. But, they do not. It's been three days since I finished, and I can't seem to forget the tragedies that Dina, Ishvar and Om suffered.

Ministry writes such a compelling story. But, you must have a strong heart to deal with this. Anyone who reads this will definitely not forget the suffering of so many in India. This is definitely one of the best I've ever read.