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The Tyre
Barely managing to scrape a living gathering wood from the side of a busy road in Tamil Nadu, Ranji accepts his lot uncomplainingly. His one and only concern is to feed his beloved family and keep them safe in their hut beneath the banyantree. But when a huge new tyre falls from a passing truck, Ranji realises that this could change his life forever, and embarks on a quest to turn his good fortune into cold hard cash.
But his growing obsession causes Ranji to neglect his beautiful wife Meena, who is struggling to resist the advances of the wealthy local brick-maker. And as Ranji’s formerly simple life fills with worries and conflict, he starts to question whether the tyre is in fact a curse rather than a blessing.
But his growing obsession causes Ranji to neglect his beautiful wife Meena, who is struggling to resist the advances of the wealthy local brick-maker. And as Ranji’s formerly simple life fills with worries and conflict, he starts to question whether the tyre is in fact a curse rather than a blessing.
- GenresFictionLiterary Fiction
216 pages, Unknown Binding
First published May 31, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 4, 2020
Karma
The Tyre is an extremely evocative story that deals with the multiple and diverse elements at play in the rigid caste system in India. It is also a story of a family’s good luck and misfortune, how hopes are created and dashed, how survival is a struggle, and the ambition to save enough money to buy a second-hand bike is a dream. A dream so the dreamer can work harder.
The caste system defines everything in Indian society – how men and women are treated, what opportunities will be open to them and what lifestyle they can hope to achieve. Ranji is a lowly Dalit (an untouchable), at the bottom of the class system and living below the poverty line. He lives in a hut at the side of the road with his wife Meena, son Santosh and daughter Surya. Ranji and his wife are illiterate but have been putting every rupee into educating their children. Santosh has reached a level where he can read and write but must now leave education to get a job in Thanjavur.
Ranji, as his daily routine goes, is foraging along the road-side for sticks and bits of wood to sell, when he finds a large, brand new, tyre – ‘Apollo Acelere M385 / R80’. Shortly after, he meets a Sadhu (holy man) who lets him know the tyre typically costs 5000 rupees (over 100 times more than he currently makes per day). The Sadhu also has this advice:
This prophetic advice underpins the story as Ranji and Meena see things slightly differently and the tyre becomes the catalyst for an examination of their relationship, how they become distant even critical of each other and every moment of hope and despair is attributed to the tyre. The story is enthralling as we watch Ranji and Meena deal with their dreams and the various adventures, issues and obsessions. When the seasonal flooding comes they must come together along with friends and community in their hours of need, in the hope they can survive and hold onto as much of their meagre possessions as possible.
A special book that looks at life’s struggles for an “untouchable” family and how they strive to overcome discrimination and prejudices to create the best quality of life they can. Be careful, because sometimes hardship can be disguised as opportunity.
Many thanks to Thistle Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.
Interview with Liz Huntley at https://thereadingdesk.com/interview-...
The Tyre is an extremely evocative story that deals with the multiple and diverse elements at play in the rigid caste system in India. It is also a story of a family’s good luck and misfortune, how hopes are created and dashed, how survival is a struggle, and the ambition to save enough money to buy a second-hand bike is a dream. A dream so the dreamer can work harder.
The caste system defines everything in Indian society – how men and women are treated, what opportunities will be open to them and what lifestyle they can hope to achieve. Ranji is a lowly Dalit (an untouchable), at the bottom of the class system and living below the poverty line. He lives in a hut at the side of the road with his wife Meena, son Santosh and daughter Surya. Ranji and his wife are illiterate but have been putting every rupee into educating their children. Santosh has reached a level where he can read and write but must now leave education to get a job in Thanjavur.
Ranji, as his daily routine goes, is foraging along the road-side for sticks and bits of wood to sell, when he finds a large, brand new, tyre – ‘Apollo Acelere M385 / R80’. Shortly after, he meets a Sadhu (holy man) who lets him know the tyre typically costs 5000 rupees (over 100 times more than he currently makes per day). The Sadhu also has this advice:
“But what you do not see, because you are already imagining how the sale of the tyre can change your life, is that this could be the start of problems for you. You will be afraid it will be stolen. You will strive constantly to find a buyer, you will feel acrimony and disillusionment. Until now you were content with your life, but now your contentment will be overturned and upset. Maybe one day you will regret having stumbled upon this heavy lump of rubber!”
This prophetic advice underpins the story as Ranji and Meena see things slightly differently and the tyre becomes the catalyst for an examination of their relationship, how they become distant even critical of each other and every moment of hope and despair is attributed to the tyre. The story is enthralling as we watch Ranji and Meena deal with their dreams and the various adventures, issues and obsessions. When the seasonal flooding comes they must come together along with friends and community in their hours of need, in the hope they can survive and hold onto as much of their meagre possessions as possible.
A special book that looks at life’s struggles for an “untouchable” family and how they strive to overcome discrimination and prejudices to create the best quality of life they can. Be careful, because sometimes hardship can be disguised as opportunity.
Many thanks to Thistle Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC version of the book in return for an honest review.
Interview with Liz Huntley at https://thereadingdesk.com/interview-...
May 31, 2018
Reincarnation brings hope to Ranji. He accepts his fate with resignation. He lives under a Banyan tree in a grass-roofed hut.
Ranji is an untouchable in Tamil Nadu who supports his family by gathering wood from along the road, returning home after dark. Cars rush by, deadly cobra lurk near anthills. Yet he is content. He has a beautiful wife who loves him, a son making a living in the city, and a scholarly daughter who hopes for the college education her elder brother had to forgo. He needs little, money for his daughter's schooling and for food. His wife saves money and dreams of a new sarai, while Ranji dreams of a bicycle.
One evening Ranji is returning home when he hears a noise and discovers a large tire has fallen off a passing truck. He hides it in the bushes to retrieve later.
As Ranji life changes. A holy man, once an engineer, teaches him about the tire. His knowledge impresses the man who hires him to harvest rice and he is given a better job. Meanwhile, his wife has attracted the attention of a richer man, a known seducer. When the monsoon season becomes deadly, all Ranji's problems and good fortune bring him to question: was the tire given to him to ruin his life, or to bring good fortune?
I enjoyed being immersed in a world so vastly different from my own, living with these characters who are content with so little while deserving so much more. The novel is more than a look at another culture, it is a mirror in which we can reflect on our own values, hopes and dreams, leaving us to wonder at the strange serendipity that sometimes alters our lives in unimaginable ways.
I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Ranji is an untouchable in Tamil Nadu who supports his family by gathering wood from along the road, returning home after dark. Cars rush by, deadly cobra lurk near anthills. Yet he is content. He has a beautiful wife who loves him, a son making a living in the city, and a scholarly daughter who hopes for the college education her elder brother had to forgo. He needs little, money for his daughter's schooling and for food. His wife saves money and dreams of a new sarai, while Ranji dreams of a bicycle.
One evening Ranji is returning home when he hears a noise and discovers a large tire has fallen off a passing truck. He hides it in the bushes to retrieve later.
As Ranji life changes. A holy man, once an engineer, teaches him about the tire. His knowledge impresses the man who hires him to harvest rice and he is given a better job. Meanwhile, his wife has attracted the attention of a richer man, a known seducer. When the monsoon season becomes deadly, all Ranji's problems and good fortune bring him to question: was the tire given to him to ruin his life, or to bring good fortune?
I enjoyed being immersed in a world so vastly different from my own, living with these characters who are content with so little while deserving so much more. The novel is more than a look at another culture, it is a mirror in which we can reflect on our own values, hopes and dreams, leaving us to wonder at the strange serendipity that sometimes alters our lives in unimaginable ways.
I received a free ebook from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
June 17, 2018
“The Tyre” by C.J. Dubois caught my attention with its brilliantly hued cover. But what made me decide to read it was the fact that it’s a book set in India but written by a Frenchman. Surely, that combination is bound to be very interesting. And it didn’t disappoint. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher I received an ARC for an honest review.
The story follows the life of Ranji and his family as they struggle to make a living by collecting wood to sell. But one day when a big tyre falls off a passing truck, Ranji is convinced that their fortunes are about to change.
That is the essence of this simple but well-told tale. The story is set in South India, “on the road to Kerala, between Radapakkam and Puttur” where Ranji, his wife Meena, son Santosh, and daughter Surya live in a small hut. Ranji spends his days collecting wood for a living while Santosh has left for a nearby city seeking a better job. But despite their poverty, the family leads a happy, relatively worry-free life. Until the tyre comes into the picture. Ranji becomes obsessed with it because a holy man tells him that he would be able to sell it for more than Rs 5,000 (~US$ 75), which is a princely sum to come by.
The tyre becomes a thread that strings all the characters together and their individual stories. We learn how Santosh manages to find work and be successful. We learn how Meena, although illiterate like Ranji, is a shrewd woman who finds independence and her own path in life. We see how Ashok, who lusts after Meena, is sucked into Ranji’s life in different ways and becomes a part of it.
All these interesting people are set against a canvas of larger themes that address the inequalities in caste, money, and education that India continues to grapple with. I enjoyed reading The Tyre with its cast of charming and endearing people. Ashok included. It’s an Everyman’s tale with all the hardships, joys, and conflicts that we face in daily life, and can identify with.
Admirably, Dubois seems to have got a lot of the details right in the overall picture of India. But there are many instances where a mix up between North and South India is evident although the story is set in the latter. For instance, names like Ashok Kapoor and Amresh Lal Nayar, the term “kheti”, which is used to refer to a field/farm, and the fact that Santosh’s mother packs pani puri (a snack that cannot be “packed” in the first place!) for him are all examples of Dubois getting the setting wrong. All of the examples above point to the culture of North India, and feels alien when the story is set in the South.
Some things, I felt, were just plain made up. Santosh’s full name is Santosh Firtavel, which is not an Indian surname at all as is the exotic sounding name Jaigin. Radapakkam does not exist but Kadapakkam does. And then there is a reference to festivals, which brings together the whole of South India into the picture.
“Almost every month offered an opportunity for some kind of observance: the celebration of Vishnu, Banashankari, Carnatic music festival, Pooram, Aradhana, the festival of chariots, Ararat festival, the snake-boat race of Kottayam…”
I might be nitpicking but for an Indian reader these misrepresentations stand out glaringly. Dubois seems to have drawn from his overall experiences living in India to build up these references. And while it was jarring initially, as Ranji’s friend Vicash says, “in the end you get so used to it that you almost forget about it.”
Dubois’ effort in writing an evocative novel about India is commendable and so is E.C. Huntley’s translation. I did find this book enjoyable and an easy read once I got past the details and focused on the larger story.
The story follows the life of Ranji and his family as they struggle to make a living by collecting wood to sell. But one day when a big tyre falls off a passing truck, Ranji is convinced that their fortunes are about to change.
That is the essence of this simple but well-told tale. The story is set in South India, “on the road to Kerala, between Radapakkam and Puttur” where Ranji, his wife Meena, son Santosh, and daughter Surya live in a small hut. Ranji spends his days collecting wood for a living while Santosh has left for a nearby city seeking a better job. But despite their poverty, the family leads a happy, relatively worry-free life. Until the tyre comes into the picture. Ranji becomes obsessed with it because a holy man tells him that he would be able to sell it for more than Rs 5,000 (~US$ 75), which is a princely sum to come by.
The tyre becomes a thread that strings all the characters together and their individual stories. We learn how Santosh manages to find work and be successful. We learn how Meena, although illiterate like Ranji, is a shrewd woman who finds independence and her own path in life. We see how Ashok, who lusts after Meena, is sucked into Ranji’s life in different ways and becomes a part of it.
All these interesting people are set against a canvas of larger themes that address the inequalities in caste, money, and education that India continues to grapple with. I enjoyed reading The Tyre with its cast of charming and endearing people. Ashok included. It’s an Everyman’s tale with all the hardships, joys, and conflicts that we face in daily life, and can identify with.
Admirably, Dubois seems to have got a lot of the details right in the overall picture of India. But there are many instances where a mix up between North and South India is evident although the story is set in the latter. For instance, names like Ashok Kapoor and Amresh Lal Nayar, the term “kheti”, which is used to refer to a field/farm, and the fact that Santosh’s mother packs pani puri (a snack that cannot be “packed” in the first place!) for him are all examples of Dubois getting the setting wrong. All of the examples above point to the culture of North India, and feels alien when the story is set in the South.
Some things, I felt, were just plain made up. Santosh’s full name is Santosh Firtavel, which is not an Indian surname at all as is the exotic sounding name Jaigin. Radapakkam does not exist but Kadapakkam does. And then there is a reference to festivals, which brings together the whole of South India into the picture.
“Almost every month offered an opportunity for some kind of observance: the celebration of Vishnu, Banashankari, Carnatic music festival, Pooram, Aradhana, the festival of chariots, Ararat festival, the snake-boat race of Kottayam…”
I might be nitpicking but for an Indian reader these misrepresentations stand out glaringly. Dubois seems to have drawn from his overall experiences living in India to build up these references. And while it was jarring initially, as Ranji’s friend Vicash says, “in the end you get so used to it that you almost forget about it.”
Dubois’ effort in writing an evocative novel about India is commendable and so is E.C. Huntley’s translation. I did find this book enjoyable and an easy read once I got past the details and focused on the larger story.
May 26, 2018
Tamil Nadu. Ranji ekes out a subsistence living gathering wood from the roadside to support his wife and children. They are Dalits, untouchables, and in spite of new equality legislation, they are still outcasts. But then one day Ranji’s hardscrabble existence looks set to change – a brand new tyre falls from a truck and he manages to hide it away. If he can sell the tyre new opportunities will open out for the family. But cashing in the tyre is no easy matter and it’s not long before it dominates Ranji’s thoughts to the exclusion of all else. Perhaps the discovery is a curse not a blessing. This is an excellent novel, at one and the same time realistic but also a fable about expectations and dreams. It’s well-crafted, well-constructed and well-paced, charming and touching and an excellent evocation of life amongst the poor of Tamil Nadu. It could be a rather sentimental tale but the author cleverly avoids this, with his characters being well-rounded with faults as well as virtues. It’s a heart-warming tale of people trying to do their best and I found it an absorbing and compelling novel. The sub-plot concerning Ranji’s son who moves away to the town to find work is a welcome antidote to the difficulties of Ranji’s life, with the son actually doing quite well and advancing in the factory where he works. There is hope, after all, and perhaps there will indeed be a happy ending for them all.
May 26, 2018
Do you want to know what life is like for a poor untouchable who lives from the hand to the mouth and has to endure the monsoon every year? Hope, disappointment and acceptance of karma - it#s all there in this little story of an Indian family. You'll feel with them, you'll wonder how everything is a sign and connected with the various gods, how little things can change a life and how full of dignity life with literally nothing can be.
August 13, 2018
This was an enjoyable and engaging read, with a simple, slightly moralistic story, told simply, with compelling characters with amusing observations about life, as I imagine it, in rural southern India. I have read reviews elsewhere critical of the specifics of southern India, but it terms of conveying a strong sense of place, this did it for me. I am hesitant to give The Tyre a full five stars as- firstly I kept waiting for the 'tension' or 'the baddie' to appear, but it was only Ashok who turned out to be a good guy in the end. Secondly, at times I found the narrative laborious, too much exposition/ explanation - but that's a taste thing! However, the plot was sufficiently fast-paced to keep me going, and the denouement both satisfying and moving.
May 21, 2018
The Tyre by CJ Dubois and EC Huntley.
This is a story of a family from India. Add on poverty, feelings of infidelity, and obsession.
Thank you Thistle Publishing, David Haviland, and Net Gallery for this engrossing page turner.
I was hesitate to read this book, the description didn't seem to interest me, however after the last page you are blown away. I know I was. I'm so glad to the Thistle Publishing and Mr. Haviland for asking me to read this for my honest review.
This poor family that is just getting by name Ranji, wife Meena and their two children shows what it is like to survive in the poor only surrounded by a hut for shelter and how when Ranji found a tire he grew obsessed with selling it to provide for his family. He encountered several buyers but insisted it was worth more money. Throw in a flood and the struggle for survival. Ranji's obsession with this tire tests his and Meena's marriage. She feels ignored and Ranji's obsession drives a wedge between them. This book teaches us a lot of lessons, as it is an emotionally read. Makes you ponder even without much in the world how even the smallest things can make you happy.
I love how this book is written, how the author put the words together is just beautiful.
I would read more by this authors. Thanks again.
Cherie'
#TheTyre #NetGallery
This is a story of a family from India. Add on poverty, feelings of infidelity, and obsession.
Thank you Thistle Publishing, David Haviland, and Net Gallery for this engrossing page turner.
I was hesitate to read this book, the description didn't seem to interest me, however after the last page you are blown away. I know I was. I'm so glad to the Thistle Publishing and Mr. Haviland for asking me to read this for my honest review.
This poor family that is just getting by name Ranji, wife Meena and their two children shows what it is like to survive in the poor only surrounded by a hut for shelter and how when Ranji found a tire he grew obsessed with selling it to provide for his family. He encountered several buyers but insisted it was worth more money. Throw in a flood and the struggle for survival. Ranji's obsession with this tire tests his and Meena's marriage. She feels ignored and Ranji's obsession drives a wedge between them. This book teaches us a lot of lessons, as it is an emotionally read. Makes you ponder even without much in the world how even the smallest things can make you happy.
I love how this book is written, how the author put the words together is just beautiful.
I would read more by this authors. Thanks again.
Cherie'
#TheTyre #NetGallery
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October 12, 2018Events in The Tyre occur mostly in spots along the road to the Indian (as in India, not indigenous North Americans who were misidentified by Columbus) state of Kerala between what seems to be the fictional city of Radapakkam (as a stand-in for the actual city of Kadappakkam?) and Puttur in the state of Karnataka. It’s a path that crosses multiple Indian states of geography, commerce, and social caste. This parable about a husband, wife, son, and daughter—Ranji, Meena, Santosh, and Surya—does the same.
The immediately obvious tale focuses on Ranji’s quandary about whether to accept the circumstances of his family’s circumstances as struggling untouchables or to strive for more without landing them all into a Notorious B.I.G. “Mo Money Mo Problems” situation as he’s warned against by an itinerant wise man. (Every parable requires at least one.) When a tire rolls off the back of a truck and lands practically at Ranji’s feet it seems like an answer to his prayers. Or is it? The possibilities spin Ranji into a whirl of brooding obsession only a little less intense than Gollum’s fixation on “my precious” in The Lord of the Rings.
More subtly, references to the story of Sita from the Hindu epic tale Ramayana about a desirable woman who accompanies her husband into exile tells a deeper story of the precariousness of safety and privilege for women in Indian society. That ancient literary nod is supported by a more current one to writer-director Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2007 film Traffic Signal about the trickle-down effects of economic oppression and entrenched caste systems that make upward mobility nearly impossible. Peacock symbolism associated with Lakshmi connects the navigation of Ranji’s and his family members’ separate and shared journeys to patience, kindness, and luck.
Told with compassion for and amusement by human foibles, this English translation of The Tyre (from French?) offers readers a charming tale about recognizing the value in the gifts of life’s present circumstances.
The immediately obvious tale focuses on Ranji’s quandary about whether to accept the circumstances of his family’s circumstances as struggling untouchables or to strive for more without landing them all into a Notorious B.I.G. “Mo Money Mo Problems” situation as he’s warned against by an itinerant wise man. (Every parable requires at least one.) When a tire rolls off the back of a truck and lands practically at Ranji’s feet it seems like an answer to his prayers. Or is it? The possibilities spin Ranji into a whirl of brooding obsession only a little less intense than Gollum’s fixation on “my precious” in The Lord of the Rings.
More subtly, references to the story of Sita from the Hindu epic tale Ramayana about a desirable woman who accompanies her husband into exile tells a deeper story of the precariousness of safety and privilege for women in Indian society. That ancient literary nod is supported by a more current one to writer-director Madhur Bhandarkar’s 2007 film Traffic Signal about the trickle-down effects of economic oppression and entrenched caste systems that make upward mobility nearly impossible. Peacock symbolism associated with Lakshmi connects the navigation of Ranji’s and his family members’ separate and shared journeys to patience, kindness, and luck.
Told with compassion for and amusement by human foibles, this English translation of The Tyre (from French?) offers readers a charming tale about recognizing the value in the gifts of life’s present circumstances.
June 3, 2018
This isn’t my usual type of read but boy am I glad that I did! I really loved this book about a poor Indian family and their hopes and dreams. I was quickly hooked as the story gently draws you in and you find yourself rooting for Ranji and his family.
Ranji and his family’s lives are dependent on what he can scavenge by the roadside each day. One day a tyre falls from a passing truck, is this a blessing and a possible way out for him and his family or will it prove to be a curse? As Ranji becomes obsessed with trying to sell the tyre he begins to neglect all that he holds dear, including his wife whose eyes start to wander.
This is a book about hope and perseverance and about how a life of poverty can be lived with respect and dignity.
Thank you Thistle Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book for an honest review.
Ranji and his family’s lives are dependent on what he can scavenge by the roadside each day. One day a tyre falls from a passing truck, is this a blessing and a possible way out for him and his family or will it prove to be a curse? As Ranji becomes obsessed with trying to sell the tyre he begins to neglect all that he holds dear, including his wife whose eyes start to wander.
This is a book about hope and perseverance and about how a life of poverty can be lived with respect and dignity.
Thank you Thistle Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book for an honest review.
May 17, 2018
Captivating and enchanting! I loved this book and I highly recommend it. I’m actually hesitant to write a review; I’m concerned I won’t do it justice and I want you to love it, too. This book is charming and mesmerizing from start to finish- simple, yet complex, beautiful yet, real.
The story is presented as a fable, an imaginative tale with a moral. It’s like Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, with the same power of observation and imagination. (I understand that Kipling was a great supporter of the British Empire, and he may not be popular now, but many have loved his books.)
The story is set in India. We meet simple and hardworking Ranji, his wife Meena, and their two children. They live in a hut on the side of a busy highway. For Ranji and Meena, untouchables, life is hard work so they can earn a few rupees to feed the family. “Once in a while Ranji allowed himself to squat down on his heels and dream.”
Ranji knew and accepted his karma and he was a devout Hindu. At one point, he discusses life and reincarnation with a friend and they decide that they should be like the cattle that pull the wagons, “they just go forward step by step.”
One night as Ranji is collecting wood scraps to sell, something amazing happens. Is it a gift from the gods? Is this gift the answer to Ranji’s prayers? Or will it become a burden?
Ranji and his family meet many interesting people and have many small adventures as they move forward step by step. The book is full of humor, love, challenges and beautiful word pictures of India. When the story ends, Ranji concludes that perseverance is always rewarded.
As you read the book, you will enjoy the lovely phrases, the richly -crafted characters, and the culture of India. You will be rooting for Ranji and his family. The ending is delightful and may surprise you. I look forward to reading more from the authors!
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC. This is my honest review.
The story is presented as a fable, an imaginative tale with a moral. It’s like Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, with the same power of observation and imagination. (I understand that Kipling was a great supporter of the British Empire, and he may not be popular now, but many have loved his books.)
The story is set in India. We meet simple and hardworking Ranji, his wife Meena, and their two children. They live in a hut on the side of a busy highway. For Ranji and Meena, untouchables, life is hard work so they can earn a few rupees to feed the family. “Once in a while Ranji allowed himself to squat down on his heels and dream.”
Ranji knew and accepted his karma and he was a devout Hindu. At one point, he discusses life and reincarnation with a friend and they decide that they should be like the cattle that pull the wagons, “they just go forward step by step.”
One night as Ranji is collecting wood scraps to sell, something amazing happens. Is it a gift from the gods? Is this gift the answer to Ranji’s prayers? Or will it become a burden?
Ranji and his family meet many interesting people and have many small adventures as they move forward step by step. The book is full of humor, love, challenges and beautiful word pictures of India. When the story ends, Ranji concludes that perseverance is always rewarded.
As you read the book, you will enjoy the lovely phrases, the richly -crafted characters, and the culture of India. You will be rooting for Ranji and his family. The ending is delightful and may surprise you. I look forward to reading more from the authors!
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC. This is my honest review.
August 6, 2018
This was kind of entertaining to me, it sort of reminds me of them movie The Gods Must Be Crazy! Not to say this is a comedy, it isn't, but it is a slice of life in India with a tough caste system and one small untouchable man doing the best he can to care for his family. It's pretty eye opening and informative. The characters are all richly written and interesting. The plot is very good. I thought it was a wonderful read and am sure others will enjoy it as much.
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
I received a Kindle ARC in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
May 28, 2018
The Tyre (translated from the original French) is a compelling read. I was captivated with Ranji's story from page one, and it was fascinating to see the ups and downs he and his family faced, all from the discovery of a tyre on the wayside. The book offers an interesting look at what is important for happiness, and how sometimes things that seem like blessings can have far-reaching consequences. All the characters are well drawn, and the pacing is excellent. I read the book over two nights, but it was a struggle to make myself put it down and go to sleep at the halfway mark. This is a story that will appeal to readers of literary fiction who are looking for a book that is a quick, easy read but which also offers plenty of food for thought.
I received this book as a free review copy from the publisher.
I received this book as a free review copy from the publisher.
August 7, 2018
This book looks at a poor family in India. One day the father finds a tyre next to the road. The history evolves with this tyre in the middle, and let you se the definitions of this "gift" as both a positive thing and a negative thing. The book remains the reader that your opinion of something have an opposite that just as might be just as just as your own.
Through the story, we see that the value of our lifes will change and evolve during our life. What we want the most can also be the thing that causes the most headache. A strong book that makes you look at what you find important in life.
"The more you have, the more you have to worry about.."
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Through the story, we see that the value of our lifes will change and evolve during our life. What we want the most can also be the thing that causes the most headache. A strong book that makes you look at what you find important in life.
"The more you have, the more you have to worry about.."
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
May 19, 2018
Truly exceptional, one of the most emotionally impacting book I have read in a long time. The storyline is a heart wrenching and harsh one, that gives an in-depth look into the eyes of poverty and it was not a very nice one. It touched me deeply and resonated with my soul. I was with Ranji from the beginning of his roadside scavenging all the way to the potter stall. A heartfelt tale of hope perseverance, resolution and determination, that no matter what your stage is in life, one must conduct oneself with respect, approach every disappointment as a new beginning to something greater. Ranji battled the elements, his fellow men and his living condition with wits and ingenuity, even in the face of being illiterate, while his wife Meena had to battle the demon called desire, and the temptation it present. They had a hard fight ahead of them which was compounded even more by the storm which brought the flood. Losing everything except their lives and his roadside find of the century, that huge truck tire, they set their minds towards starting over. His roadside find turned out to be the wheel of change that gave them a new direction and a renewed sense of pride and confidence. This book is an emotionally packed and intense read on all fronts, a truly liberating book on poverty and the way one chooses to embrace opportunities that are presented, being a bit pragmatic helps as well a beautiful well-written book.
September 25, 2018
Beautifully written, and surprisingly moving, the story of how one chance event leads to change for an entire family.
Definitely recommended.
Definitely recommended.
July 9, 2018
This book reminds me of the books my friends and I used to read... And I wonder why I don't read books like these anymore...
The Tyre tells the tale of an untouchable named Ranji who finds a tyre that fell off a truck on his way home. Hardly believing his luck, he immediately plans to sell it but as an untouchable, it is a challenge. This tyre changed Ranji and his family's life in unexpected ways.
Though the story moved a bit slowly for me, and I had to recall the caste system in India, this was a good and enjoyable read that is not meant to be rushed. Each main character in the story was clear to me, and a complete personality. The trials and triumphs of Ranji, Meena and even Santosh had me rooting for this family from the start. Amazing how a simple tire can affect a life!
Thank you Thistle Publishing for the copy of this book.
The Tyre tells the tale of an untouchable named Ranji who finds a tyre that fell off a truck on his way home. Hardly believing his luck, he immediately plans to sell it but as an untouchable, it is a challenge. This tyre changed Ranji and his family's life in unexpected ways.
Though the story moved a bit slowly for me, and I had to recall the caste system in India, this was a good and enjoyable read that is not meant to be rushed. Each main character in the story was clear to me, and a complete personality. The trials and triumphs of Ranji, Meena and even Santosh had me rooting for this family from the start. Amazing how a simple tire can affect a life!
Thank you Thistle Publishing for the copy of this book.
August 30, 2018
Involving and Wonderful Read
Ranji is out scouring the roadside for fallen wood to sell when he finds a tyre. He imagines the value of the tyre, against that of his bundles of wood, and hurries to secure it, little realising the enormous effect the tyre will have on his life and that of his family.
Set in Puttur, India, Ranji's life is one of extreme poverty, as he survives day by day as a member of the lowest caste in the social system. He lives with his wife and daughter and is very proud of his daughter's achievement at school. His son has gone off to a distant city to earn a living. This is a fascinating, positive, story of about a family where a chance happening changes so much of their life.
Ranji's life living in a shack, is compared with his son's life in the city. The caste system of India is thoughtfully portrayed, as is Ranji's philosophy of life. How these people survive the scorching hot days and then later the monsoon season is fascinating, and the everyday happenings of Ranji and his son and family are all blended well into an absorbing story, of a life of love, contentment and stresses with none of the "essentials" of the Western world.
5*s from me for this great story, and wonderful look into the lives of this fictional family. I was really drawn into the life of Ranji and his family, and loved every moment of this beautifully written book.
There are quite a number of Indian words in the text, so I found reading it on my e-reader beneficial for quick translations.
Great read for schools, book clubs and everyone else!
Ranji is out scouring the roadside for fallen wood to sell when he finds a tyre. He imagines the value of the tyre, against that of his bundles of wood, and hurries to secure it, little realising the enormous effect the tyre will have on his life and that of his family.
Set in Puttur, India, Ranji's life is one of extreme poverty, as he survives day by day as a member of the lowest caste in the social system. He lives with his wife and daughter and is very proud of his daughter's achievement at school. His son has gone off to a distant city to earn a living. This is a fascinating, positive, story of about a family where a chance happening changes so much of their life.
Ranji's life living in a shack, is compared with his son's life in the city. The caste system of India is thoughtfully portrayed, as is Ranji's philosophy of life. How these people survive the scorching hot days and then later the monsoon season is fascinating, and the everyday happenings of Ranji and his son and family are all blended well into an absorbing story, of a life of love, contentment and stresses with none of the "essentials" of the Western world.
5*s from me for this great story, and wonderful look into the lives of this fictional family. I was really drawn into the life of Ranji and his family, and loved every moment of this beautifully written book.
There are quite a number of Indian words in the text, so I found reading it on my e-reader beneficial for quick translations.
Great read for schools, book clubs and everyone else!
July 4, 2018
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A simply amazing story of how finding a tyre can change Ranji's life! Whether a curse or a blessing, the finding of this tyre affects the life of his whole family, all bound by the Indian caste system.
A simply amazing story of how finding a tyre can change Ranji's life! Whether a curse or a blessing, the finding of this tyre affects the life of his whole family, all bound by the Indian caste system.
September 4, 2020
Wonderful story. Tyre is a beautifully written engaging story of a family of untouchables in India struggling to survive. You are drawn into this story from the start and it will hold your heart and attention until the end. I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed. Thank you Thistle Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2018
The Tyre tells the story of Ranji and his wife Meena who are from a lowly caste in India. Illiterate and barely managing to scrape a living for life's essentials - food, clothing and a roof over their heads - they have no choice but to withdraw their son from education and send him to find work in a city far from home.
When an enormous tyre falls from a passing truck, Ranji believes his prayers have been answered. Full of renewed hope for the future, he begins the arduous task of finding a buyer. He hopes the sale will make his and Meena's lives easier by using the profit to buy a second-hand bicycle.
The Tyre is a delightful story of hope in the face of adversity. It's a social commentary on India's caste system - where the top flourish and the bottom, or dalit (untouchables), are stuck in poverty. It's about injustice, hopes and dreams, expectations and survival. Will selling the tyre really bring happiness to Ranji and Meena or does it already exist within them?
Far from the usual type of books I normally read, this was a simple tale with a beautiful message. I'd like to thank C. J. Dubois, E. C. Huntley and David Haviland at Thistle Publishing for sending it my way.
Grab yourself a copy here (UK only): https://amzn.to/2yBO6ol
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2PIIj6E
When an enormous tyre falls from a passing truck, Ranji believes his prayers have been answered. Full of renewed hope for the future, he begins the arduous task of finding a buyer. He hopes the sale will make his and Meena's lives easier by using the profit to buy a second-hand bicycle.
The Tyre is a delightful story of hope in the face of adversity. It's a social commentary on India's caste system - where the top flourish and the bottom, or dalit (untouchables), are stuck in poverty. It's about injustice, hopes and dreams, expectations and survival. Will selling the tyre really bring happiness to Ranji and Meena or does it already exist within them?
Far from the usual type of books I normally read, this was a simple tale with a beautiful message. I'd like to thank C. J. Dubois, E. C. Huntley and David Haviland at Thistle Publishing for sending it my way.
Grab yourself a copy here (UK only): https://amzn.to/2yBO6ol
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2PIIj6E
January 28, 2019
I was given an e-copy of The Tyre by C.J. Dubois & E.C. Huntley for review.
Set in India, an untouchable caste man finds a huge tyre (tire in America) and we follow the changes this brings to his life.
What I liked the most about this story was Ranji, the main character. Immediately sympathetic, he is at once illiterate yet very wise. His existence is a daily struggle to keep body and soul connected but he does not bemoan his state. He doesn't whine about injustice or unfairness.
He has a beautiful wife and loving family (they actually respect him, how unusual today). I enjoyed the strength of their bond and their unity in working to benefit the family.
Obviously I can not speak to the accuracy of the portrayal of life in India, but the narrative was rich in detail and feeling. It captured me completely, drawing me into a much different lifestyle.
I truly enjoyed my time with Ranji and his family. I saw on the authors Goodreads page that they were considering a sequel, I hope they do. Enjoy!
Set in India, an untouchable caste man finds a huge tyre (tire in America) and we follow the changes this brings to his life.
What I liked the most about this story was Ranji, the main character. Immediately sympathetic, he is at once illiterate yet very wise. His existence is a daily struggle to keep body and soul connected but he does not bemoan his state. He doesn't whine about injustice or unfairness.
He has a beautiful wife and loving family (they actually respect him, how unusual today). I enjoyed the strength of their bond and their unity in working to benefit the family.
Obviously I can not speak to the accuracy of the portrayal of life in India, but the narrative was rich in detail and feeling. It captured me completely, drawing me into a much different lifestyle.
I truly enjoyed my time with Ranji and his family. I saw on the authors Goodreads page that they were considering a sequel, I hope they do. Enjoy!
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