Customer Reviews

Three Continents

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have now read 2 books by Jhabvala, "Three Continents" and "Heat and Dust." Her relation of details is consistently clear and inviting; almost journalistic in its simplicity. Believe me, I have read a good heap of fiction from and about India, and Jhabvala's precise simplicity and focus on character development (rather than focusing on the reader's understanding of antiquated local customs or Indian mannerisms or terms -- sorry, Paul Scott, but you drove me nuts!) makes her works universal and appealing. Here is a coming-of-age tale, an Indian Peter Pan with a chilling twist: thanks to their involvements with a svengaliesque trio of sophisticated cult leaders, a pair of young, very rich English twins misses their chance to grow up. Jhabvala's mastery of the million and one ways in which one human being can manipulate another had this reader shopping for her cues -- for descriptions of touches, glances, smiles, shadows between the three cult leaders and their captives, young Harriet and Michael. I found myself suffering narrator Harriet's dilemma: am I being teased? Flirted with? Is he sincere? What is really going on in this room? What is this disagreement really about? Also, please don't read the end of this book right before you go to sleep -- because you won't sleep if you do, trust me.

This was the first book I read by this author (although I loved the movie version of her other book "Heat and Dust") and I was impressed by her ability to hold my attention consistently as I read this book. We've all heard about spiritual cults, about the kind of people who lead them and the other kinds of people who fall for them, but this was the first time I got a good idea of what goes on in their heads and the kind of lies people tell others and themselves. I had trouble putting this book down even though I really did not like the main characters at all. I give the book 4 stars because the end left me terribly disappointed but then again, I do not like weak female characters at all, even if I understand how they got to be that way (had bad parents, got spoilt, etc). This book really haunted me and even freaked me out a bit after I put it down so that says a lot for this author being able to touch a chord in my soul. I consider myself an avid, discerning reader so this is not something every author can do.

I enjoyed the book for the writing style, level of detail, and ability to hold my interest. Within a short amount of time, the reader can easily guess what will happen. I kept waiting for some sort of twist, but the protagonists never seem to get that they are being drawn into a web of deceit. I never developed any sympathy towards any of the characters. During the last 30 pages or so, I found myself skimming the pages. I wanted to get it over with. Overall, it's an ok book.

I figured out the 2 protagonists were going off a cliff in about the first 20 pages. The rest of the novel I spent watching the idiots do it despite all the obvious warnings to the contrary. This one didn't work for me.

I really looked forward to reading another of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's books after devouring Heat and Dust but this was a real disappointment. The two young adults in this novel are perplexing in their choices and their characters are opaque--so much so that you don't care for them. This makes it challenging to read to the very last page (which I did) when you come out of the story thinking 'so what?'. In just about every chapter, you want to grab Michael and Harriet by the shoulders and shake them awake. This novel could have been improved by making either character a bit more sympathetic. Instead all I thought was 'dumb...dumb...dumb'. Don't waste your time.