Have you ever read a book that made you feel so sad and depressed yet hopeful at the same time? I am talking seriously depressed here. I finished Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance yesterday and it's still haunting me.
The story, taking place in India in 1975, revolves around Dina, a widow and former seamstress who hires Om and Ishvar to work for her. Dina also has a paying rentee in her apartment; named Maneck. The story revolves around their pasts and presents as they become friends and then family. It sounds uplifting, no? But it's not; the trials the writer has these people endure are so heartbreaking.
I don't want to make the book sound all doom and gloom because there are moments of utter happiness in the book. Also, Mistry is almost Dickensonian in his tale telling skills. The reader finds out intricate details of the lives of many side characters but Mistry always comes back the four main characters.
Books Read in 2006:
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
3 comments:
Poisonwood Bible affected me that way--completely and utterly depressing, but kind of uplifting at the same time.
I'm reading a novel now that so far has that same feeling: Acts of Faith.
Hope all is well otherwise.
I'm reading a book like that, too A-rab. It's called Life. wokka wokka smooches
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