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There are currently 18 member reviews
for A People's History of Heaven
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Janice A. (Pearland, TX)
A People's History of Heaven
Heaven is a collection of shacks and huts in the windswept outskirts of Bangalore. The poorest families live here. Yet, the girls and women in this novel are rich in friendship, understanding, and shared history. The story revolves around the experiences of a group of teen-age girls who have been friends almost from birth and who possess very different characteristics. They learn from each other, their mothers, grandmothers, and the elder schoolmaster. They accept each other - blind, transgender, lesbian - and take pride in supporting, protecting, and challenging each other. They hope and dream of finishing school, attending university, improving their living conditions, having careers, and changing the world so females have the same opportunities as males. They learn secrets. They are young women in a world that casts them as possessions, first of their father, then of their husband. Amongst all of these adversities they work to make Heaven a better place, and in the process show that they are more than just possessions; they are strong, intelligent, forward thinkers who use those attributes to face the seemingly more powerful and win. This book demonstrates the continued need for International Women's Day.
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Becky S. (Springfield, MO)
A solid 4.5
I enjoyed this book very much! Thought the author did a great job in developing each character, these women. If Heaven, a slum in India. The story depicted what it is like to live in poverty, but mostly what to like to have friends who will always raise you up when the going gets bad. These women were each other's strength and stability. I loved how the author chose first person plural to tell the story. I did feel like the chronology was a big hard to follow at times and would have liked to have a little more detail about the different languages and some of the customs. I know of the caste system , but could have used some brushing up on a few of the details. I think this author is going to be a big name in literature.. she did an outstanding job in her debut novel!
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Susie x
Unique insight into diverse lives
It was a delight to read a book that focuses on strong girls from backgrounds that aren't often seen - in fiction, or anywhere at all. Written in the first person plural, the author invites the reader to be part of the circle of friends. While the writing can sometimes veer into the slightly sappy and the level of diversity in a single group of friends seems unlikely, it's still a satisfying read that makes you root for these brave young women.
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Lloyde N. (Olympia, WA)
A People's History of Heaven
When I submitted my name to review this book I thought it would be like Dante's Inferno based on the many levels of hell. It would be more of a reference book than an actual novel. Instead, it is a story of families within a community who face down "advance" in their village. I would suggest reading this book because it is well written,strongly fleshed out characters and thoughtful in it's approach to what change can bring.
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Leia C. (Jacksonville, FL)
A study in Sisterhood.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the need for education of women in modern day India. It is a grim story about real life poverty and the class distinctions that guide so many lives.
The young girls and their families are very engaging and talented in their different ways. It helped to have the list of the girls and their family relations at the beginning of the book to refer to.
It reminded me a bit of "The Fruit of the Drunken Tree" by Ingrid Contreras. That story had a major character trying to provide for her family while living in the slums of Bogota, Columbia.
I enjoyed the book and will be on the lookout for similar stories.
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Veronica E. (Chesterton, IN)
SURVIVAL OF SISTERS
I would not of picked up and read A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN. I am very glad that it was sent to me to read and review. I have not read much fiction about India and the living conditions, the way of life in the slum district. I was completely caught up in the story and writing. The words used to describe the life of these young women made me feel I was right there with them. Beautiful characters, the respect, the love that these young girls have for each other grabbed me and kept me reading. I wanted to fight right along with the families. A very rewarding story. I will share this copy with friends and request our Westchester Public library to order a copy. A beautiful adult first novel.
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Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
I lost some of the threads!
I was engaged with the characters for much of the book, but I felt chopped up among the girls and their moms.. I needed to keep a sort of log of who did what with or to whom. I most appreciated Deepa. Just kept herself centered. She made the book worth reading.
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