44 pages • 1 hour read
A Fine Balance
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Book Brief
603
Novel • Fiction
India • 1970s
1995
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry is a story set in 1975 India, where four characters from different backgrounds—student Maneck Kohlah, widow Dina Dalal, and tailors Ishvar and Om Darji—form an unconventional family in Dina's apartment amidst political upheaval and societal strife. The novel includes themes of oppression, poverty, and loss.
Melancholic
Gritty
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
162,407 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance captures the fragility of life through richly developed characters and a poignant narrative. Critics laud its powerful storytelling and vivid depiction of 1970s India, though some note its bleakness may be overwhelming for sensitive readers. Overall, it's celebrated for its depth and emotional impact.
Who Should Read A Fine Balance?
Readers who appreciate A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry are typically drawn to epic, character-driven narratives that explore themes of survival, societal struggles, and personal resilience. Fans of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner or Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things will likely find this novel compelling and thought-provoking.
162,407 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
603
Novel • Fiction
India • 1970s
1995
Adult
18+ years
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