A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry’s stunning internationally acclaimed bestseller, is set in mid-1970s India. It tells the story of four unlikely people whose lives come together during a time of political turmoil soon after the government declares a “State of Internal Emergency.” Through days of bleakness and hope, their circumstances – and their fates – become inextricably linked in ways no one could have foreseen. Mistry’s prose is alive with enduring images and a cast of unforgettable characters. Written with compassion, humour, and insight, A Fine Balance is a vivid, richly textured, and powerful novel written by one of the most gifted writers of our time.
My Thoughts
This is the first novel I decided to read from my Award Winners list. In short, it was amazing. So sad, so hopeful, so real. I really hope all the other critically acclaimed novels will have such an impact on me. I'm really excited to open my woefully illiterate mind to a world of fine literature. But back to A Fine Balance...
The novel starts by introducing you to three of the four main characters: Ishvar Darji, his nephew, Omprakash, and Manneck Kohlah are riding on a train and Manneck can't help but be drawn into the jovial conversation between Ishvar and Om. I was immediately captured by the rich atmosphere. I felt like I was on the train myself, 'hearing' the clanging, the bustle, the chatter, the peddling. By chance, they find out that they are all new to the city and headed to the same address: Ishvar and Om as tailors looking for work, and Manneck as a boarder, for Dina Dalal, our fourth main character.
The chapters are broken down by individual stories. First, Mistry tells us all about Dina Dalal, from her childhood (and childhood dreams), up until the day she meets Manneck and the tailors. The narrative is so detailed and interesting and you can't help but develop a connection with Dina. He then proceeds to do the same with Ishvar and Omprakash's history and Manneck's. It's almost a rude awakening each time Mistry switches characters, until you forget because he draws you in with the next character's equally interesting story. Not only do you learn about where each character comes from, and what makes them tick, but Mistry weaves in the political undercurrent as well as the harsh reality of the caste system with seemingly no bias nor emotion. Many of the scenes are hard to grasp because of the sheer cruelty and knowing that these awful situations actually occurred make it even more difficult. My heart ached most of all for Ishvar -- the cards he was dealt were rotten, yet he was the most hopeful of them all.
"You see, you cannot draw lines and compartments, and refuse to budge beyond them. Sometimes you have to use your failures as stepping-stones to success. You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair."
This comment was made by a minor character around halfway through the novel, and I doggy eared the page since it mentions the book's title. Reading it again, after finishing the book, has made me realise that maintaining this fine balance is easier said than done, and that it takes a strong spirit to find the courage to persist in its maintenance.
A Fine Balance was easy to read, but difficult to digest. It made me look at my own life, my hopes and dreams, my obstacles, my lot in life and what matters to me. Being a piece of the world's puzzle, how could my actions ricochet into the lives of others, and would they leave positive or negative imprints?
Tea Pairing
Since this novel is set in India, I wanted to drink a Darjeeling tea. I picked up this loose leaf tea from Teavana. I had it plain, with no milk or sugar, and it was sublime. A few times I steeped the tea a little too long and the bitter tannins made more of an appearance, however, I thought the shifting flavours worked well while reading A Fine Balance.
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