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A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry
  • Critics' Consensus:
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  • First Published:
  • Nov 1, 2001, 624 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Nov 2001, 603 pages
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There are currently 12 reader reviews for A Fine Balance
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TheBlackLadyReads

Finding Balance
This was an emotional read for numerous reasons. Mistry wove a tale that strained, harassed, and assaulted his readers. Constantly bombarded with the question: Where is the balance? I enjoyed the development of the characters, the intersecting of lives, and the rich culture displayed throughout the novel. This is not for the faint of heart, the stories of the characters will haunt you, harass you, and most importantly nurture you. Nurture you from the protection of internal bias and political ignorance, and into a sort of fine balance :)
Barbara, The Club's Book Groups

Yes, it is a great read!
The tragedy, the sorrow, the loss, is almost too much for me to recommend this; on the other hand Mistry made me believe I knew these characters. I believe I would know them on the street if I were to go to India today. It is true, as others have said, I did not want to put it down each night; however one better have a good read of something that makes one laugh after reading this one. Our book group will review it next month, and since I selected it, I cannot wait to hear what everyone thinks.
Paula Ashby

A Fine Balance
An outstanding story set in India that truly tells it like it is. It is like Shantaram without the Westerners. No gloss added - just pure reality as anyone who has been to India will know. Book of the year for me.
Barbara

Our book group chose this for our February discussion. I could not put it down! In fact, I also borrowed the unabridged audio version so I could do my household chores and listen at the same time! Rohinton Mistry is truly gifted in his descriptions of India and the various peoples. One of my daughters lived in India for a couple of years and she agreed that this book captured the "feel" of the country. Mistry pulled me into the story and I felt as if I were living there in Dina's little apartment with Maneck & the tailors, eating chappatis, drinking hot tea.
SMN

After reading this book, I feel in love with Rohinton Mistry's books. I have read every book that he has published and loved them all. this book was... Well there are no words to say how great this book was.
Lubna

It's an amazing book! One of the best I have ever read!
Libra

One of the best book telling the real story of Humans...
Gopi Chandroth

This is one of the best books I have read in recent times. It is gripping from the Prologue onwards. The author has an excellent insight into the life of the impoverished millions in India. However rather than gloating on the poverty of the people he brings out their maganimous and generous nature. The excesses of the Emergency are exposed all through the book, yet there was not one page where one could say the author was exaggerating. All that happened during the Emergency, the year of darkness in India's democratic history. The story with all its diverse threads come together in a respendant quilt much like the one put together by Dina Dalal. It is tragic and ends sadly but it makes you laugh all the way through. Some book. Hats off to Rohinton and eagerly awaiting the next one.
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