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A Fine Balance

Author: Rohinton Mistry
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Category: Book

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Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

88 reviews
Sales Rank: 1948

Media: Paperback
Pages: 624
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.8

ISBN: 057123058X
EAN: 9780571230587
ASIN: 057123058X

Publication Date: October 19, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new and in stock - usually dispatched within 48 hours and delivered 1st Class by Royal Mail from the UK. International Delivery is by Airmail.

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - A Fine Balance (Oprah's Book Club)
•	Hardcover - A Fine Balance
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance
•	Turtleback - Fine Balance
•	School & Library Binding - Fine Balance
•	Hardcover - A Fine Balance: A Novel
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance (Modern Plays)
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance
•	Unbound - A Fine Balance
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance
•	Hardcover - A Fine Balance (Thorndike Core)
•	Paperback - Fine Balance (Thorndike Paperback Bestsellers)
•	Paperback - A Fine Balance (Oprah's Book Club)
•	Unknown Binding - The political-security environment in the Pacific: Evolutionary change

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1975, in an unidentified Indian city, Mrs Dina Dalal, a financially pressed Parsi widow in her early 40s sets up a sweatshop of sorts in her ramshackle apartment. Determined to remain financially independent and to avoid a second marriage, she takes in a boarder and two Hindu tailors to sew dresses for an export company. As the four share their stories, then meals, then living space, human kinship prevails and the four become a kind of family, despite the lines of caste, class and religion. When tragedy strikes, their cherished, newfound stability is threatened, and each character must face a difficult choice in trying to salvage their relationships.

Customer Reviews: Read 83 more reviews...

1 out of 5 stars

A very dark tale. I regret reading it. July 17, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I got this book based on the excellent reviews that I read from Amazon. When I finished it, I am only left with sadness for the characters to have such an unfortunate life in the hands of author. I can understand the true intentions of the author to portray once his own country as vicious as depicted. If you still wondering what happens to the child balancing at the top in the front cover, according to the author "their hands were cut off, blinded, backs twisted and turned into beggars". In curiosity if you felt like reading and managed to finish it, you will feel like Maneck at the end.......clueless and lost. For me, I would not read a book based on Amazon review again.

5 out of 5 stars

Devestating, inspiring, amazing May 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Devestating, inspiring, amazing - this is defintely on my list of top ten fav books. You get a real insight into India's history and politics but through the human condition. The characters are complex and believable, the story beautifully written and awe making. I cried and cried at the warmth and goodness people have in their hearts and at the hopelessness and tragedy surrounding us. I emerged from this story a different person (I mean, I do after each book I read, but this was particularly pronounced). Everyone should read this once in their lives.

3 out of 5 stars

Fails to inspire.......... May 14, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I really wanted to like this book. Promising start and a good introduction to the characters, but the novel just seems to drone on and on.
It tries so hard to deliver "India in the 70's", with its blend of corruption, greed, strife and suffering. Unfortunately, it never really hits anywhere near the 5 star mark. I didnt feel any compassion at all to our central characters. Indeed, at times, I became frustrated with the whole affair and abandoned the book for a few days. Then resume, hoping something exciting/enthralling would happen. Er, no.
Its hard work to stick with. And once I'd read it, I didnt really feel anything inspiring had happened to me.
Disappointing. Just goes to show you shouldnt rely on all the feedback you see! Its all down to personal taste I suppose. And this wasnt a "change your life" read for me at all.

5 out of 5 stars

never to be forgotton May 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I read this book more than 10 years ago. It was an emotional roller coaster. When reading it publicly people would smile at the expressions on my face - smiling, sadness, grimacing. An amazing book that I have recommended to many many people. When talking to one friend about what book would he take to his grave this was the one he chose. Never have I been so emotionally bound by a book and never has a book left such an indelible impression on my mind.

5 out of 5 stars

I never cry... this made me cry! April 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

At first it may seem like a cutesey, twee little story, but as Mistry's prose weave their magic prepare to feel it!
I won't go on as there are plenty of reviews here but I will just say that this is my favourite book. The reason? Because is it is deeply human and that made me cry. I never cry (even though at times I damn well need to !) and this book managed to make me.

A great story. A triumph and a tragedy told with supreme skill.