Customer Reviews

There Is Room for You: A Novel

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I loved this novel with so many levels of stories and characters. So often an exotic setting becomes more important than the characters, but although India is intriguing in Bacon's writing it does not override the story. For me the characters have remained vivid long after I finished the book, and I hated to see it end. My only reservation is that I couldn't make sense of the mother's behavior toward her children, which didn't seem to fit the interpretation her daughter comes to. But I like puzzling it over, and appreciate a novel that makes me do that.

This is an exceptionally moving story of the discovery of self in relation to one's parents and the world at large. Anna and Rose tell their stories in tandem. At first seemingly alienated from each other's lives, it becomes clear, as events, both present and past unfold, that they are indeed closely bound to each other. I was deeply affected by the slow and tender exposure of the vulnerability of these two women. The author paints pictures that seem to unfurl in the mind's eye. Whether reading of the small town in Maine,where Rose writes her memoir, or the crowded streets of Varanasi or Calcutta, indelible images are created. Ms. Bacon has given us a story of great texture and content, a lesson in how judgement yields to understanding, empathy, and ultimately binding love. I urge you to read this book.

Often books about mother daughter relationships fall into two categories: over sentimental or sappy, or vengeful and dysfunctional. This book is in a totally different category all together - about two main characters who are human, who have had some bad cards dealt to them, but who both remained, well, human. Its also a travelogue as well, as the daughter is in India searching for her mother's past. The descriptions of modern India remind me a bit of the ones in Kipling's Kim, enough for the picture of the land, people, and problems to give you a good picture of the places she goes. Its also not a heavy or deep book - not that I haven't read many of those and enjoyed them, but sometimes one wants a good salad instead of a steak dinner. Its good, enjoy!

I loved so many things about this book: Bacon's illustrative and lovely writing style, keeping a plot while not losing elegant writing and description; the two different narratives about the daughter and mother are both engaging and smoothly alternated, the stories told within the story, the Indian backdrop - which made me really want to travel to India - and even the minor characters, the brother, the dad. A lovely, beautiful novel I was sad to finish.

I love this book! Such beautiful imagery, and a gripping story makes for a fantastic read. Her depiction of India is not overly romantic, but not pessimistic. I highly recommend this beautiful novel!