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Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful.
Review: A beautifully written novel. Sidhwa's lilting writing style makes one wonder what lies ahead in the novel. It's joyous and captivating, but also chilling at the same time. "Cracking India" is one of those books that you should just read at night time while curled up in your blankets, sipping a latte or coffee. It cozies up the mind and it is absorbing. Because of the way it flows, I thoroughly enjoyed my read.
However, a flaw that I detected was that Sidhwa's book does not have a glossary of terms with English translations of some Indian/Pakistani words and phrases in the book. And also around Chapter 12, the novel starts dragging in redundancy a little bit. It does pick up some speed on Chapter 18, as you approach the climax. Nonetheless, "Cracking India" is still an enjoyable fiction. It is wonderful to witness many occurrences of the splitting of India through Lenny's eyes and experiences. There are, of course, many other goings-on that make the novel even more interesting. I particularly found the story of Ayah (and Hamida too) a haunting example of human betrayal.
What more can be said? I enjoyed the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Read this Book, Especially After What Happened on Sept. 11
Review: I actually have a bit of an anecdote about this book. My graduate class on Genocide in Postcolonial Literature was assigned to read this book the same week as the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington occured. Obviously, my story isn't as harrowing or as interesting as those who actually witnessed firsthand the buildings tumbling over or the soot filling the air with an unnatural blackness as one of our most visible national icons tumbled towards the Earth. As I was watching all of this, live, I also turned frantically through the book before me. I had to finish the novel by Wednesday. Consequently, I had to experience the horror of terrorism both in life (on television) and in fiction. Sidhwa became an unwitting commentator on the violence happening right before my eyes. This book is one of the most graphic, depictions of genocide and mass violence. It also holds one of the most sensitive commentaries on contemporary violence availiable. Even as I read the horrific depictions of decapitation, bodies swimming in blood, and buildings errupting in flame, even as I could hear Sidhwa plead with us to not continue a cycle of violence that has engulfed India and Pakistan, even as I could see her eyes welling up in tears as she laments the destruction of her homeland and her people, I could see the same thing happening to us. We see and sometimes remember horrible events of tragedy and silently utter "never again." But it does happen again. Again and again and again. This book shows us how horrifying, how useless, and ultimately how utterly ridiculous violence and vengence can be. It is not for someone who wants a neatly packaged answer to terrorism, genocide, or violence. It does, though, show the consequences of taking action out of pure hatred and a need for retribution. I can only hope that our leaders will understand and learn from these lessons of the past.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: I found the book to be stark and honest, consistent with a child's point of view. I did not think the author showed preference for one ethnic group over another; she sheds light on human nature in such difficult circumstances. The personal attrocities and tragedy in the wake of the upheaval of leadership in this region are yet another example of how the "personal is political".... As a criticism, I found the use of so many non-English words and phrases in the text to be distracting. I'm sure that for some readers they added a lot, but they only served to distance me from the time and place, to remind me I was reading a book. Since I feel that the power in this story is in trying to see where we ourselves might be within it all, this effect was a negative. A version with notes or a glossary might help. On the positive side, it was WONDERFUL to read a story with so many, varied, strong women as characters, and to show girls and women at different stages of their lives all in one snapshot. Lots for discussion. This book would make a fine addition to a lit class.
Rating:
Summary: Great Reading!
Review: I just finished reading the book. It is wonderfully written and very hard to put down. The author's style of story telling is very engaging and flowing. I enjoyed the novel especially because it is the first time I read a high-quality English novel WITH a desi (Indo/Pak) theme [probably reflects on my limited exposure to the subcontinent's English writers]. Since I am from the same background, I especially enjoyed the local Urdu/Punjabi phrases/terms interspered throughout the book. It could be a bit distracting for the non-desi readers to encounter so many foreign terms [some of them not fully explained]. I almost suspect that the author was primarily writing for desi readers. I also enjoyed verses and translations quoted from famous Indian/Pakistani poets. The novel effectively touches upon a great human tragedy without being judgemental. Great reading, all around! Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful book
Review: I was assigned this book for my english class, and wasn't looking forward to reading it. Although I chose the book myself, I wasn't really sure if I had made the right choice. However, once I started really getting into the book, I discovered that i couldn't put the book down-it was incredibly engaging! It showed me how cruel people could be, and the devastating concequences that came from their cruel actions. I found myself feeling happy when the character was happy, sad when the character was sad..etc..this book really opened my eyes to the world around me. This book is very moving and incredibly sad-it is rather graphic at times though. Nevertheless, this will forever be a favorite of mine and I definately recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful book
Review: I was assigned this book for my english class, and wasn't looking forward to reading it. Although I chose the book myself, I wasn't really sure if I had made the right choice. However, once I started really getting into the book, I discovered that i couldn't put the book down-it was incredibly engaging! It showed me how cruel people could be, and the devastating concequences that came from their cruel actions. I found myself feeling happy when the character was happy, sad when the character was sad..etc..this book really opened my eyes to the world around me. This book is very moving and incredibly sad-it is rather graphic at times though. Nevertheless, this will forever be a favorite of mine and I definately recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: To read the book you need an open mind
Review: Many books have been wriiten about the partition of India in 1947. But this is the first book,where the story is told from a young child's point of view. The books revolves around Lenny, a young Parsee girl, who turns eight years old in 1947. The religious strife in the country, make her realize the frailities and unpredictability of human nature. Like every book on Partition, this book too remains unbaised. It does not hold one person or community responsible. It is truly unfortunate, that some people feel that the author is racial and prejudice. It is amusing to see that people who write this, fail to see their own preduices. It is about time that people realize, We are all to be blamed. To say the 'Hindu-Sikhs are not to be blamed for the partition or vis-a vis is not only ignorance, but a way to justify actions. It is about time we realize that this event took place because the people of our country allowed themselves to be swayed by the people in power. Innocent people died because of their beliefs. We should learn from the mistakes of the past and make sure that it is not repeated in the present or near future. Instead of blaming each other, we should find a constructive way of living in harmony
Rating: 
Summary: poopy
Review: The partition is being explained through the eyes of Lenny, but it is not complete. But I liked the way of explaining the uneasiness of the coutry is being divided through Ayah's friends. It is crisp. Too much of documenting about Lenny's world, slows down the pace. After finishing the book, you wouldn't want to be a leader of a nation, who decides the fate. For that effect itself, this book is worth reading. Also, I like the author's writing, putting down the naked truth, the history always reveals.
Rating:
Summary: Heartfelt and heartbreaking
Review: This novel describes the pains of partition,the war between love , hate and with the animal inside every one.Some peaple fight till last moment, some give up very easily, some take advantage of the situations and some become just silent observers, there positions may not be because of their own choice but because of their fate.That is what you would see in this novel.For some peaple the sense of revange is so intense that they forget everything , even the ones they love the most, and for some love is above all religions ,this novel describes the battle between different human senses, the best book of its kind.
Rating:
Summary: Loss of innocence and national chaos
Review: Wrenched from the security of the familiar, a young girl gleans intimate knowledge of the nature of betrayal. As a cosseted child, Lenny's short life is defined by the affection of family, friends and her beloved Ayah. As most children who have the blessing of regularity in their lives and know the indulgence of boredom, Lenny is on an intimate terms with mundane household affairs and neighborhood gossip, her extended family ever available for entertainment and amusing peccadilloes. The family's simple life changes forever with the Partition of India in 1947 and the creation of Pakistan for Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs remaining in the state of India. As citizens of the newly formed Pakistan, this family's everyday reality begins to shift with the changing times, threatening to destroy a child's security and trust forever. In Lahore, a city that has welcomed differences and encouraged variety, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus have mixed without incident. After the Partition, the dangers of alliance permanently stamp the mark of change and entire families begin to disappear overnight. In agonizing stages, Sidwha relates this tragic account through Lenny's eyes. And it is that vision, with glimpses of violence flashing around the periphery, that ultimately alerts Lenny to the shape of the future. The juxtaposition of family life and national chaos outlines an insider's interpretation of daily routine and a whole country spinning out of control. Peopled with eccentric characters and quirky personalities, one of the most romantic and beloved is Lenny's beautiful and desirable Ayah. Ultimately, the abrupt disappearance of that Ayah, who has been kidnapped by nefarious characters, is central to the theme of this carefully wrought tale. All sense of harmony and continuity is abruptly shattered by the miasma of violence that seeps under closed doors at night like a poisonous invisible fog. This book is a stunning reminder of the nature of impermanence, "collateral damage" in the form of a loving Ayah, whose lovely spirit is virtually destroyed along with Lenny's innocence.
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