Have you guys read...

Sílvia · Post by **Sílvia** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:51 pm

A Fine Balance?

It's been on my list forever, and I'm starting it today. It seems to be one of those long, painfully sad yet unputdownable novels I love. Yum!

Anyone?

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 1:58 pm

Yes, but you didn't like the last book I recommended.

It's brilliant, shocking, and heartbreaking.

Sílvia · Post by **Sílvia** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:00 pm

Well, I didn't hate it

. But I do think I'm gonna love A Fine Balance from what I've heard!

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:07 pm

I have "Family Matters" on loan from my sister. (Also by Rohinton Mistry) But I keep looking at it on the shelf, and thinking "No...it will be devastating. I'm not ready."

Oh, and also - Canadian author!

Post by **Spudd** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:21 pm

I read A Fine Balance. I liked it, but holy depressing.

Sílvia · Post by **Sílvia** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:39 pm

Well, amazon describes him (him?) as "Bombay-born, Toronto-based ".

Spudd, I don't mind suffering in my reading. I enjoy it, actually!

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 2:41 pm

SÃlvia wrote:Well, amazon describes him (him?) as "Bombay-born, Toronto-based "

Oh, I know. He's part of the literary community here now, is what I meant...

Sílvia · Post by **Sílvia** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:12 pm

NOW WITH SPOILERS
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Ugh. I finished it yesterday. I have to agree with this amazon reviewer: "...what the heck else can happen to these people?? And, sure enough, worse things kept coming. Became rather funny in a sick way."

After Ishvar lost his legs I just lost interest (no pun intended). It seemed that Mistry wanted to shock people more than anything. It was just too much for me.

Crystal Meth · Post by **Crystal Meth** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:46 pm

See, I didn't think that. And usually I think "Yes Mr. Writer, I *get* it" when something is continually repeated.

(Although I *was* in a depressive coma for a few days after I finished it.

)

But I don't think Mistry was trying to just be shocking, I think he was trying to say "Look, even when something THIS ABSURD happens to these two, they still keep their spirit" compared to the guy (name? it's been a while) who really didn't have things so bad at all, but still gave up on life.

Sílvia · Post by **Sílvia** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 7:01 am

Maneck.

I just got annoyed after a while. When Ishvar's legs started to get black I was like "you gotta be kidding me!".

Post by **Spudd** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 9:05 am

Me too, Silvia. I was like, PLEASE, make something good happen. PLEASE!! And then the book ended and nothing good had happened. I still liked the book, it was a good read, but come on!

Malanee · Post by **Malanee** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:34 am

Sooo depressing, but well-written.