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A Fine Balance Paperback – 1997

by Rohinton Mistry (Author)

1,049 customer reviews

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Paperback, 1997

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March 1997 Vintage International jumbo trade paperback, (B) 3rd printing. Rohinton Mistry (Such a Long Journey). Set in mid-1970s India, A Fine Balance is a subtle and compelling narrative about four unlikely characters who come together in circumstances no one could have forseen soon after the government declares a 'State of Internal Emergency'. It is a breathtaking achievement: panoramic yet humane, intensely political yet rich with local detail; and, above all, compulsively readable. - Amazon

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Editorial Reviews

March 1997 Vintage International jumbo trade paperback, (B) 3rd printing. Rohinton Mistry (Such a Long Journey). Set in mid-1970s India, A Fine Balance is a subtle and compelling narrative about four unlikely characters who come together in circumstances no one could have forseen soon after the government declares a 'State of Internal Emergency'. It is a breathtaking achievement: panoramic yet humane, intensely political yet rich with local detail; and, above all, compulsively readable. - Amazon

Product details

Paperback: 624 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books / Random House; First American Edition (stated) edition (1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679776451
ISBN-13: 978-0679776451
Product Dimensions: 1.2 x 5.2 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
Average Customer Review: 1,049 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,712,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #998 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Asian > Indian

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A Rich story about a changing India

April 22, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A richly developed story that interweaves the lives of individuals and families from various castes. Sometimes it was difficult to read due to cultural and language barriers. This book was recommended by a friend who lived in India during the 1970s and said that it portrayed the culture accurately. I got attached to the main characters and rooted for them during their challenges. As a warning, often there were times when their suffering was depicted graphically. I would recommend it for anyone looking to learn more about the Indian culture.

5 people found this helpful6 people found this helpful

Excellent Writing, Tragic Story

May 12, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Mistry tells a story of human tragedy over and over again with language that is so well executed that you smell the smells of India and feel the mental and physical pain of his characters. It is a book that is so tragic that I just wanted it to be over but knew that if these men and women could survive the difficult, unjust life dealt them, then surely I could finish the book. It is dark, but again, written so well that you have to see it through.

5 people found this helpful6 people found this helpful

One of those stories that sticks to your mind.

September 23, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read this book several years ago at the suggestion of a coworker from India. It has stayed with me and I often think about this book. When I finished reading it, I wanted to go around kicking things yelling "it's not fair, it's just not fair!" Mistry has created characters you feel you know. And they do live lives in a fine balance. There is just to much injustice for everyone, so much suspicion, so much graft and greed, and all these people wanted to do was make a living, even a barely subsistence living by trusting each other together. I still feel like kicking things and yelling "it's not fair?" when I think of this book. I probably will try to reread it at some point but I'm not sure I could make it through again without getting so angry I have to quit. The bad part is that some people probably have lived like this and been unfairly messed up like this. Makes me a little more grateful to live in a society where things like this don't happen--yet.

2 people found this helpful3 people found this helpful

A fine balance between hope and despair.

June 7, 2018

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This the third time in fifteen years that I am reading this book. There is always a sense of trepidation when you are rereading a book that you had loved in the past because one does not know if it will evoke the same feeling again. I was not disappointed and it still remains one of my favorite books of all time. The magical story of friendship between four people from different backgrounds has once again touched my heart. The only thing that has changed since last reading the book is my perception of what the book meant to me. Grief permeates throughout the book and wreaks devastation on the lives of these individuals over and over again but it is their response to pain and tragedy is what struck me the most. Some are shattered and some just shrug it off accepting life as it comes.
I love this book and highly recommend it, don’t let the length of the book deter you.

One person found this helpful2 people found this helpful

A sad, memorable story which is beautifully written and will stay with you

June 14, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book. It is unusual to have four strong well thought out characters who are each given equal time in the development of their characters and the author did this well. I enjoyed the back stories of each of the characters before the commencement of the real story possibly more than the real story itself. I was curious how this book would end and it certainly wasn't predictable. The epilogue really needs to be seen as part of the book as the actual ending is unsatisfying. Whilst I probably wanted a different ending, I can see how it all fitted together and whilst sad there was still some joy. Given the writing is a pleasure to read, it is contrary to the some of the sad tales told in this book which somewhat alleviates what could have been a very depressing novel. I am sure there are elements of truth in this book which makes it rather surprising and shocking at times. I would recommend this book to any lover of good well-written literature.

5 people found this helpful6 people found this helpful

Caste and poverty - lives still matter.

February 16, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a very long tale about several people from very different backgrounds in the context of caste and poverty in an Asian setting. Some are kind, many are cruel, and life goes on. Women can be strong, but are not totally free from the historic demands of the paternalistic family past. I have always liked stories that cover the daily lives of people in places I can only imagine. You have it here! I highly recommend good reading glasses and patience for this one, but in the end, I liked it.

3 people found this helpful4 people found this helpful

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