Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

A Fine Balance (Oprah's Book Club)
 

A Fine Balance (Oprah's Book Club)

by Rohinton Mistry

With a compassionate realism and narrative sweep that recall the work of Charles Dickens, this magnificent novel captures all the cruelty and corruption, dignity and heroism, of India. The time is 1975. The place is an unnamed city by the sea. The government has just declared a State of Emergency, in whose upheavals four strangers--a spirited widow, a young student uprooted from his idyllic... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  india,  historical fiction,  indian fiction,  personal favorite (all tags)

Readers

Groups

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
The Poet
  • Rated 5 stars

“This book made profound statements about human life, endurance, optomism, love, laughter and the acceptance of all life's experiences. The author, in a most astounding manner brought together the very worst that one might endure in life and demonstrated that by keeping a fine balance within ourselves toward our tragedies, failed expectations and our joys, which could dim in comparison should we cultivate too much contemplation upon the past which may seem better than the present. Maneck's...”

The Poet’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

R U
  • Rated 2 stars

“Way too long. This was an interesting story, but unremittingly sad, and did I mention way too long? The writing style was somewhat pedestrian and didn't feel very "literary." It was all plot--this happened and then that happened--not much reflection.”

R U’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 4.394152 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 0 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Abhishek

    abhishek said:

    “Thought it was too long and boring.”

    posted 9 days ago
  • Harmeet S

    harmeet s said:

    “Mistry has this ability to make you sit through and complete the book... His amazingly simple style of writing makes this book a delight to read.”

    posted Thursday, June 5 2008
  • Nikki

    nikki said:

    “Nicely writtten book. Portraying Indian social and political system during 70's. A good read!!””

    posted Sunday, March 30 2008
  • Geoff B

    geoff b said:

    “This book was amazing, through out the book I felt like the characters were my friends. Having travelled in India I really resonated with the authors portrayal of India. Exceptionally well written.”

    posted Saturday, February 9 2008
  • The Poet

    the poet said:

    “A Fine Balance is a book that has found its way into my heart and onto my list of favorites. It is a classic in its time. The struggle of Mistry's characters to sustain life in the midst of poverty, classism and suffering while still maintaining a fine balance between sorrow and joy is phenominally represented in Mistry's incredibly talented writing. The sustenance of joy amid suffering as reflected in his characters has often provided me with greater strength when dealing with the griefs of life lived as a human being. Manek's death was tragic; he failed to find a fine balance, but in Mistry's book he is a minority. I think this book is a true artistic masterpiece.”

    posted Friday, February 1 2008
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy