Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing,
Review: Disturbing and intense
In the 5th century BC, Siddhartha Buddha realized how the caste system and the devaluing of human beings- indeed, all beings-was inhumane. And here we are in this book, long after Christ told us to love one another, long after the British abolished the caste system, long after civil rights movements, etc., and the mistreatment of one's fellow human beings is still the reality. The personalization of the characters, their charm and humanity clearly emanates from Mistry's work. This book gives globalization a new meaning with its concomitant loss of craftsmen, the loss of local character. I would never have known about the corruption of the Indian government during this time period and the horrible suffering inflicted in the name of 'Emergency'( after all, a woman was running the government!). Mistry's style is devoid of dramatic affect- events unfold with a peculiar levelness that grips the reader in its significance. No one escapes. At times, there was a chill that cut coldly and fully into this reader, leaving a profound sadness. This is another way of seeing how easily we can be misinformed- thank God people like Mistry have the courage and determination to tell a story that keeps the rest of us aware.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating story!
Review: I was hooked from the beginning of this epic tale of India. I found the characters to be believable and likeable, and I learned quite a bit about India's history that I didn't know before. The story was great, and Mistry is one of those rare finds...a master storyteller. We read this book as a book club, and we found that there was quite a bit of discussion material in the story.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing, education, and disturbing
Review: On countless occasions since finishing this book, I've told people about this book and the lives these characters lived in India - in 1975! I had to keep reminding myself that, while I was living the life of a teenager in rural America, there were people living this life, under these conditions, on the same Earth! I became intrigued and got caught up in the characters - their triumphs, their sorrows, their simple pleasures, and their suffering. I would love to talk to someone else who has read it, but have found it difficult to recommend this book to my friends. Most of us live hectic lives and, when we do get a chance to relax and read, this is not the "recreational" reading we think we want. Nonetheless, I'm richer for having read it - and appreciate Oprah and her bookclub for bringing it to my attention.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect storytelling technique
Review: So many positive things struck me about this book, but the thing that I noticed immediately was the adept storytelling technique. There are many opportunities for Mistry to mess things up while going back and forth from character to character, and backwards and forwards in time. Very little is given away, though, and it makes the story so interesting and compelling. I am grateful to have read this book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I ever read
Review: This epic book will transport you to another world, a fascinating, complex, beautiful/ugly world of colorful detail and complex characters. Though tragic, these characters manage simple joys in the midst of immense suffering, and, as another reviewer already wrote, they tightrope the fine balance between hope and despair
Rating:
Summary: one of the best books I've ever read
Review: ...I looked at the subject manner and thought I'd read a quarter of it, and put it down. Well, from the first page it grabbed me. Well written, but the saddest book I've ever read - sad because although it was a novel, every word could have been true. Did not want it to end, but when it did it left me with a satisfied feeling. I can't wait to read his other books although I hear that they're all extremely sad as well. Mistry puts you right into the life of India, and gives you a better understanding of how sick the caste system is. You are so in tune to the 4 people in this book and feel as if you're living every day with them. For a good read, and a deeper understanding of India, read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: This book was horribly depressing. Don't read it!
Review: Do not read this book unless you want to be down for days afterwards. I would give it 4 stars because it was well written. The subject matter is another story altogether, pun intended. That's where the 1 star comes in.
This book is absolutely tragic, and very disturbing. If I had it to do over again, and was warned about its ultra-depressing ending, I would have passed on it, absolutely no doubt. Yeah, it brings to life all of the troubles of India's poor, but do you really want to go there? You have been warned. If you hate movies or books that end with pure tragedy, let this one slide.
Rating:
Summary: Simply magical!
Review: This is a tale of four people who, through the most dreadful circumstances come together to forge a strong bond. Lives cloaked in such adversity that it breaks your heart. Yet the capability to somehow rise above that and try to keep up the fine balance between hope and despair is seen throughout this novel. Mistry takes you through the time of Indira Gandhi's "Emergency", to the slum dwellers and the corruption of the police, to the forced vasectomies, the cruel caste system, the vulnerability of women through both widowhood and the marriage dowries. Dark as it sounds, there is a lightness that remains in his writing throughout. You come to love, and feel for all the characters, and they all remain with you for a long time afterwards.
Rating:
Summary: Really good and very tragic
Review: I thought this book was terrific. I really couldn't put it down. But, it certainly isn't for the faint of heart. It was very tragic and upsetting. Some of the moments were touching, but so bittersweet, because you know that things are just not going to work out for poor Ishvar and Om - the two low-caste tailors. The injustice of it is frustrating and sickening. I thought it dealt with the issues of caste, class and poverty in a really enlightening way, especially for a westerner. It's definately worth a read, it gives a good insight into India's complex social system and and how everyday men and women often have their futures made for them even before they are born.
Rating:
Summary: Laughable. Literally.
Review: This book is a piece of trash. I've never read about so much death and destruction. Someone dies, gets raped, or castrated on every other page. At times, instead of making me sympathetic to the plight of the severely unfortunate characters in the book, I found myself laughing, and waiting for the poor fools to fall into their next hilarious misfortune (again, always only a few pages away). India was (and still is) a fairly harsh place to live in for poor untouchables, but this book describes conditions which are so obviously untrue, only the most simple of readers would believe. Shame on you "Rohinton" for trying to mislead ignorant readers. Don't waste your money on this filth.
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