Helpful Score: 12
This beautiful story of 3 women in India is now in my top 5, all-time favorite novels. I am fascinated with India anyway, but this book is more about women and the universal struggles we face to take care of ourselves while also nurturing those we love. The characters are vibrant, and by the time you read the last page, you will feel as though you know them personally and will be devastated by the social and cultural limits they face as they desperately try to bridge the gaps that stand between them and true friendship.
Helpful Score: 8
This book is an unsung gem! It approaches a huge social issue, that of 'class', from a female perspective and really makes the reader put him/herself in place of the main character and examine the choices he or she would make. Beyond the intimate description of daily life in India, beyond the main character's clear and unabashed voice that just sings out to the reader, this book is a manifesto for the effect of education as the great equalizer. The author examines the lives of two very different women--different both in caste and character, and the choices each of them makes around certain life-rending events. I could not put it down.
Helpful Score: 8
A beautiful book about two families of women in India. One is a servant, living in the slums, whose orphan granddaughter becomes pregnant. The other is the family she works for - led by Sera, whose daughter is married and pregnant. We discover much about the women's pasts and how they ended up where they are and what has shaped them in their lives.
It's a really wonderful story - it's unceasingly interesting and full of twists (the big twist I had not expected at all). You really begin to feel compassion for both the lead female characters. One has suffered through an abusive marriage and the other has lost husband, children, and her life to servitude. Beautifully written and completely enthralling.
It's a really wonderful story - it's unceasingly interesting and full of twists (the big twist I had not expected at all). You really begin to feel compassion for both the lead female characters. One has suffered through an abusive marriage and the other has lost husband, children, and her life to servitude. Beautifully written and completely enthralling.
Helpful Score: 5
Mans inhumnanity to his fellow man, (woman) has no earthly cruelty as the pain rendered to one another. Beautifully told, this story of 2 women, one rich, one her servant, one living with the secrecy of physical abuse, one living with alcohol abuse, both believing in the improvement of their legacy in the future generation. Twists in the plot
are classic. The end could not be sadder for all involved, yet still optimistic. Worthwhile and enjoyable read!
are classic. The end could not be sadder for all involved, yet still optimistic. Worthwhile and enjoyable read!
Helpful Score: 3
Excellent book showing the treatment of different castes, as well as the relationships between people.
