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Susan S. (Salida, CO)
Tourist in India and more
So much of the setting of this wonderful book was exotic to me - I even had to look at a map of India to orient myself. The names of places and clothes and foods made me feel like a tourist and on the far edge of local life. The lifestyle of Grace - multi-national native of India, Italy, and America - is so unexpected. Looking both into her past and trying to guess the possibilities for her future - keeps you on the edge of your seat. Hold tight - it's a wild ride!
Liz D. (East Falmouth, MA)
Belonging
Gace Marisola is seeking a home, a family, a place to belong. She returns to India to attend to her dying mother and finds that she has been left with a strange bequest. A beach house unoccupied for years and a sister she never knew she had.
The bequest will change Grace's life forever. Caring for a sister who has been institutionalized since birth, making the beach house livable and figuring out her own place in life.
Grace struggles on all fronts with her sister Lucy, the house and finding her place in Indian society.
Doshi's spare language with no unneeded words bring Grace's uncertainties to life. There are
…more many questions in the book the interconnections of families, the responsibilities to family members and the sacrifices they can involve.
This was an interesting read about India and the place an Indian-Italian woman can make for herself there. (less)Set in modern India, an interesting story of different cultures, family challenges and life decisions we make. Definitely grasps you and plops you down in a foreign culture with its mores and nuances. A good read!
Judith G. (Ewa Beach, HI)
A sense of familiarity
Having recently read "The Dutch House" this book seemed to me to cover the same territory, i.e. an old family home, a dysfunctional family, a mother who is distant. I enjoyed the book because I like reading about other cultures. I think anyone interested in Indian culture would enjoy this book. I also think if you care about mentally challenged people you might feel yourself nodding along in recognition as you read the book.
Terry M. (Altoona, IA)
Survival and Change
I really enjoyed this story about survival and change! I especially enjoyed the setting in modern-day India.
Peggy C. (Wyckoff, NJ)
Not So Sure
This book was a bit of a challenge for me, as there were aspects I liked and those I did not. I found the story line to be interesting and it dealt with thought provoking topics, such as family, relationships, and responsibilities. In addition, the author provided vivid descriptions of life in India, which since I have not been there was very helpful. But, I found it difficult to get into the story and stay with it. Further, it was hard to understand and "warm up" to the characters, specifically Grace. Though the book was certainly well written, I can only give it a 3.
Charlene
Small Days and Nights
What I liked most about this book was the author's beautiful prose. Her descriptions of place were vivid. Sometimes I read those paragraphs more than once to soak it in.
It was a good story but I couldn't invest any feelings in Grace. I couldn't connect with her as a character.
The story itself was unique and touching. But when I finished it I didn't have that feeling I get when I read something I love - that I can't wait to pass this on to a friend. I couldn't say "You have to read this book!" I may try something else by this author at a later date to see if it was just this book that didn't capture me. It wasn't
…more a book that I couldn't wait to read every day. It was a book I wanted to finish so I could move on to something else. (less)This is an interesting book to review. On one hand, I loved the writing. Beautiful, descriptive, and pulled you into the story and setting, On the other hand I really did not connect with the main character, and at times felt the storyline dragged and got bogged down into a story that I could not, or really didn't care if I followed. A slow read for me and even tho I loved some of the writing, I would not recommend this book to my book club. Interesting title and cover, not sure I cared for either.
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