A Fine Balance

Rating:
Summary: THIS IS WHAT A NOVEL IS MEANT TO BE!
Review: I read a LOT of books. And by that I mean two or three a week, mostly fiction, from classic literature to present-day works. Writing such declarations may seem pompous, but it bolsters my opinion that "A Fine Balance" is without doubt one of the most glorious novels I have ever read. It is sweeping, tragic, stylish, funny, historical, heroic, engrossing, and rich. It fairly breathes with life. The characters went to bed with me at night and rose with me in the morning. The smells (both good and bad) still linger in my nostrils a week after having finished the book. I feel as if I have been sitting at Aunty Dina's table eating dal and chapattis with Manek, Ishvar, and Om, so acquainted have I become with the author's rendering of their idiosyncracies, their looks, their manner of speaking. This book is work of genius; I know of no other way to describe it.

Rating:
Summary: Depressing Doesn't Mean Dull
Review: Some have put down "A Fine Balance" for the simple reason that it is probably one of the most depressing novels ever to have been written. The mishaps, tortures, strokes of bad luck, encounters with evil henchmen, castrations, sterilizations, meals from garbage cans, nights slept on the street, days spent begging, years spent working (etc., etc.) are endless and heart-wrenching. If you don't cry while reading this book, at some point, it is because you are heartless and cold! But these depressing moments are meant to reflect a reality about which I have no opinion, having never been to India, and certainly a novel should reflect the reality of its author and the experiences he has lived. I find the novel well constructed and interesting. It shows all the bad sides of India, but I feel more informed and at least this book made me come to the realization that my life is like Nirvana compared to what some people in the world are living. I guess what Mistry achieves with this novel is for us, the readers, to see that it is POSSIBLE for these terrible things to happen to ANYONE ANYWHERE. Dina Dalal is not a poor beggar, but rather a sophisticated women from a wealthy family, and even she has to give up her hopes and dreams to the metropolis and the "progress" set forth by the government. I think the novel is good, but where it fails for me is in the originality department. I could never compare Mistry's writing style to that of Arundhati Roy, for example. The latter just has a marvellous way with words, while Mistry shows no signs of innovation or original use of language. However, this book is worth a read and I admit that I enjoyed it (if it is proper to say such a thing considering all that the characters go through!).

Rating:
Summary: eye opening. a masterpeice of moderntimes
Review: i did not read many books before i read this. As a gift i thought not yet another book. But after picking it up i could not put it down. It was addictive. depressing in places but ultimately heartwarming that even with such misfortune and hardship, a glimmer of hope could still be had. The characters were colourful and real. i read this book a year ago. I feel i read it yesterday. When ever i see anything on India my mind is full of memories of a superb and wonderful book, and the insights into the problems of modern india, with its caste system. if you get a chance to read it,please do not delay

Rating:
Summary: Oh, come on!
Review: I obviously missed the point of A Fine Balance. Other readers here have raved about how this novel captures "that fine balance between hope and sorrow," etc., but what I read was an incredibly depressing story about a few characters with hopeless lives who are subject to endless acts of pain. In the beginning it wasn't so bad -- I thought, "Okay, here are a few nasty things that these characters have to deal with. It's all part of the character and plot development." But IT NEVER ENDS, and eventually any progress that the characters or the story actually achieve comes crumbling down under the weight of the ridiculous events that the characters are made to endure. Near the end, I started skipping the acts of torture out of sheer annoyance. I wish someone would enlighten me about what really makes this book so wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Simply the best
Review: I read 2-3 books a week, and have done for years. However, I can honestly say this was the best book I have ever read! I have recommended it to everybody I know - and will continue to do that for years to come. So take my advice - get a copy of this book. The best-seller "The god of Small Things" is NOTHING compared to this masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: A Deep Poignant and Provacative Read
Review: This is by far one of the best novels I've read in a LONG time. Incredible. I bought up all the available copies at Borders and have given 12 people this book for Christmas. One of the milestone books in my life. My most sincere admiration and congratulations to the author. - Mabelin Anderson

Rating:
Summary: Slow moving, and riddled with tired stereotypes
Review: This is the first novel I have read by Rohinton Mistry. What struck me about this novel was its incredible succession of pessimistic stereotypes used to talk about the state of Indian society, polity, etc.. I don't object to the use of stereotypes as a gimmick to sell(anything that sells is OK, I guess), but it is sad to see a needlessly maudlin and unreal depiction of India win critical acclaim as well. The narrative is long-winded but not rich - mere detail cannot capture the essence, Mr. Mistry. If you must read it, go ahead, but at the very least, take Mr. Mistry with a large pinch of salt.

Rating:
Summary: A Depressing Pleasure
Review: I wanted to write a review, but I see that others have done better than I could. Please add my kudos to theirs. Having visited India last year, I found this book extremely evocative, and a real pleasure to read. Occasionally uplifting, often depressing. But then so is India.

Rating:
Summary: A lyrical examination of the human condition
Review: One of the finest novels I have read in a very long time. Mistry takes us on a tour of life and exposes the best and worst in us. He is a master storyteller in the finest sense of that word.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty portrayed in this book. I felt for the characters. I enjoyed the life they all shared and felt educated after reading it. I honestly knew nothing of this culture prior to reading it and feel differently now that I've completed it. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy reading about different cultures. The only thing I can say is it was not necessarily the best book to read on my vacation on the beach in Antigua.