A Fine Balance: Drama

by Sudha Bhuchar (Adapted By), Kristine Landon-Smith

Based on the Booker-shortlisted novel by Rohinton Mistry and adapted by Sudha Bhuchar and Kristine Landon-Smith, this programme text edition of A Fine Balance is published to coincide with Tamasha Theatre Company's 2007 revival and tour of the hit play.

India, 1975, and a callous government has declared a State of Emergency.

In these uncertain times a spirited Parsi widow determined to avoid a second marriage takes a student boarder and two Hindu tailors into her ramshackle flat. The four strangers whose lives have become inextricably linked find themselves crossing divides of caste, class and religion to form the most unexpected of friendships.

Produced by Tamasha - creator of the groundbreaking East is East and the award-winning musical Fourteen Songs, Two Weddings and a Funeral - A Fine Balance was first seen at Hampstead Theatre in 2006, where it enjoyed a sell-out run.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, India, Indian Literature, Book Club, Audiobook, Literature

112 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2007

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an astonishing story for the first approx 550 pages. Mistry nicely balanced the hope and misery in the lives of the major characters so that the story remained compelling rather than heartwrenching. I found the remaining 150 pages, however, to be so sad that it became disheartening. A story that I had enjoyed reading turned into one that I was relieved to finish. I'm still not sure why Mistry chose to deal with Maneck as he did. I can think of a half-dozen things that it may symbolize but in the end "It seemed so....so pointless."
The story telling in this novel is amazing, but I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 because I felt emotionally ambushed by the author in that final portion of the book. I realize that rating it this way is more idiosyncratic than fair but I think the author destroyed the "fine balance" that characterized the bulk of this novel by ending it as he did.

[Persephone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by an Indian who has been living in Canada for the past 30-plus years. Thus, although it is a book set in, and very much about, India (particularly the India under Indira Gandhi), it has a quintessential Canadian gloom about it. Don't get me wrong; this is a compelling book, and its very wryness somehow makes descriptions of the horrific bearable, but I would not recommend reading it unless your personal horizon is relatively free from despair.

[Manish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a disturbing read. Set during the period of Indira Gandhi's infamous Emergency, Mistry's novel narrates the lives of four individuals who end up living and working together in the same flat in Bombay. Widowhood, Caste violence, Ragging, the mafia, Nusbandi, corruption and heroism get explored in great detail. Read it to learn what the Emergency meant for the poorest of the poor of this country.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize just how lucky I am. are. It follows the story of two lower caste men, uncle and nephew who break out of their predestined roles and go to the city to earn a living. It leads them to a widow forced to live by her wits and the student she takes in as a boarder. Their lives really do depend on a fine balance, and anything can tip it the wrong way.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fine Balance between hope and despair. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story like this with language so beautiful and precise that even if you’ve never experienced what happens in this story, the author uses metaphors that make you understand exactly what feeling he is trying to convey. This book made me feel on the edge of hope the entire time, but like the title suggests, you’re often met with and pulled back into despair. In the end, however, it seemed to be that the author was trying to suggest adjusting one’s perspective to pursuing hope in an extremely depressing setting. The story of four people you meet and how they interconnect during and after the India’s partition will never leave you.

[Bea Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very slow moving, so found very hard to persist.

Can see why other people would enjoy it as it is fascinating to read about.

Passed back to book swap.

[Emma M Broom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just dont have the words to write a review that will do this book justice. The book is absolutely heartbreaking and shocking. I read this book with a lump in my throat from beginning to end.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in quickly and I had a hard time putting it down. I so badly wanted the characters to be able to better themselves and to achieve their simple dreams. I got so mad at all the horrible, corrupt government officials who kept cheating them out of their basic human rights. It seems like this book could have taken place during medieval times with the cruel treatment of the lower classes, but it really takes place in India in the 1970's. I have always known that India is a third world country, but never really thought what this means - no restrooms for most of the population (they use the train tracks!), limited access to running water, false imprisonment into work camps with no justice, forced sterilization to the lower class citizens, homes destroyed even when rent is properly paid, living with lice, worms, and rodents because the treatment are unaffordable for most people! It was unbelievable! The main characters are all drawn to each other by circumstances out of their control and they try to do the best they can to live honestly and live humble lives, but the government cheats them out of EVERYTHING! I felt so bad for Om, Ishvar, and Dina at the end of the story for how their promising live turned out. I was baffled by Maneck's decision to deal with his dispare when he learned the fate of his friends - he at least seemed to be living decently.

[Missy Nemeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of book where I can easily read one chapter, and go to sleep. Didn't suck me in to the point where I can't put it down, but kept me interested enough to finish it. But it's endlessly sad. I learned things about the history of India that I didn't know. But I finished the book and felt hopeless, so I can't give it any more than 3 stars.

[Kinza Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could be so much better than it actually ended up to be. Maneck Kohlah had so much potential to turn their lives around, but no the writer insisted on giving it a hopeless, miserable ending which just didnt make sense to me.

[Beth Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a number of years ago ... it is the gold standard for me. Great character development. Well crafted.

[Exactingnemesis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[serprex · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an alright book, but I found the persistent bad luck & mallice tiring. The ending was a climax of the misfortune, & the soda son not wanting to talk to the tailors at the end hurt

[Julie R · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book, but so very depressing

[Adib Shalekeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never want to read this book ever again

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the tiny sparks of hope amidst an ocean of misery and despair during turbulent political times in India. One of the most depressing stories I have ever come across; every character is a tragedy waiting to happen. While not knowledgeable about the time it portrays, I got the gist: be anything other than well off, male, a certain caste and certain religion, or else. Prejudice and the depths of human cruelty are universal themes, though hope comes in the small found family tale hidden within the pain. Heartbreaking.

[E.Lurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of some of the other great writers like Tolstoy,Dickens and Zola who tell us the struggle for survival of their characters set against a background of political, social and historical events over which they have no control. It is terribly sad as you begin to understand the hopelessness with which they deal every day and yet it is inspiring because they refuse to despair. As someone else has said, this book makes me appreciate everything and everyone I have.

[Carmen]

Wow, all sorts of emotions and thoughts I did not expect the book to end the way it did. To me it felt as if their little bit of happiness kept them going, and these folk just couldn't catch a break. The injustice within this book, what happens to those who have brought about the sorrow hurt and pain in these characters' lives. None the less I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were 678 stars. This book is really special. Do you have to prepare yourself sometimes a hard read, but you will never be sorry that you read it. I am for you if you haven’t already……. Recommending this book someone a gift. I’ve given it many many times and everybody has always been very grateful and I will say to you is prepare yourself and enjoy

[Nancy Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm about to go to India for the first time and this was THE book everyone said to (re)read.. It is a powerful, poignant, hopeful, tragic story that captures the context and the consequences of post-independence. Beautifully written.

[Marlo Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine balanced entranced me in the web of the characters trails and successes of their lives. It led me to have compassion and awareness of the privileges of my life while showing me a time and place I knew little about. Beautiful and devastating, this book was an emotional and addicting read.

[Anne Elisabeth Kobaek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book giving a true insight into life as a Dalit in the harsh reality of today's caste system

[Ruth Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Suelogeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. One of my all time favourites. I felt so close to the characters in this book and couldn't put it down.

[Naween Mohammed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put her down. My fave read in a very long time

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant shown life in India. Masterfully written. Made me realize how my problems are insignificant compared to real life.

[Lisa Majkrzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have ever read

[Monique Courcelles · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! One of my all time favourites!

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Gave me a new understanding of India.

[Kathryn Champion · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top 10 books of all time.