Sara’s review of Family Matters (Vintage International) > Likes and Comments
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This came just too soon for me after Les Miserable but I will definitely get to it at some point. A book that makes you aware of life and its universal purpose to another sounds a very thought provoking experience.
Excellent review Sara! I’m so glad you loved this wonderful, full novel!
I loved that last quote you shared. How true! I read A Fine Balance in the ‘90’s and it slayed me. I have never been able to pick up another of his books for that reason. After your phenomenal review, I may just attempt it.
This one has been on the list since reading A Fine Balance. It sounds like Mistry continues to balance hope and despair and illustrate the human capacity to endure. I hope he also manages to weave in the capacity to love.
A wonderful review. I am intrigued by how we see similarities yet so many differences. I know that all books are interpretive to the reader, with many different variables affecting the reader's view. But I wonder if this one isn't more a case of women are from Venus and men are from Mars in how it affects a person.
Sara, if I hadn’t just added this after reading Kathleen’s review , I would have added it now after reading your wonderful review. I still need to read A Fine Balance.
Megan wrote: "This came just too soon for me after Les Miserable but I will definitely get to it at some point. A book that makes you aware of life and its universal purpose to another sounds a very thought prov..."
You will want to be prepared for some difficult scenes, Megan. It is very thought provoking, but not uplifting.
Ann wrote: "Excellent review Sara! I’m so glad you loved this wonderful, full novel!"
It lived up to expectations for me, Ann. Glad to see you like it as well.
Antoinette wrote: "I loved that last quote you shared. How true! I read A Fine Balance in the ‘90’s and it slayed me. I have never been able to pick up another of his books for that reason. After your phenomenal revi..."
I took a long time deciding to dive into this one, Antoinette. A Fine Balance actually made my heart hurt. He doesn't make it easy on us!
Lisa wrote: "This one has been on the list since reading A Fine Balance. It sounds like Mistry continues to balance hope and despair and illustrate the human capacity to endure. I hope he also manages to weave ..."
Mistry writes such complicated situations, with flawed human beings caught in almost impossible webs (sometimes of their own weaving). He always makes me feel as if I want to reach into the novel and show them where the door is -- Just go here! Don't go there!
For anyone who found something worthwhile in A Fine Balance, I think this could not fail to be another good read. You never want to say you "enjoyed" his books, but I am very glad to have read them. I will put his other book on the list, but I need some recovery time before I can get to it.
Bob wrote: "A wonderful review. I am intrigued by how we see similarities yet so many differences. I know that all books are interpretive to the reader, with many different variables affecting the reader's vie..."
Thanks, Bob. Reading is so individual an experience, but it is always good to have another view to bounce ideas off of. After all, Venus and Mars both have to orbit the Sun.
Angela M wrote: "Sara, if I hadn’t just added this after reading Kathleen’s review , I would have added it now after reading your wonderful review. I still need to read A Fine Balance."
If you have to choose, Angela, A Fine Balance has a tiny edge for me.
A Great book that I remember well even though I read it more years ago than I can remember exactly. Loved your review of it. Mistry is a favorite.
Thanks, Kerry. I am also drawn to his writing, although you know going in that it will not be an easy subject. The fact that you remember it well so much later is a testament to how impactful it is.
Wonderful review, Sara. I read this one a long time back and have forgotten most of it. Thanks for reminding me of this book and of the beautiful writing of Rohinton Mistry.
Such a beautiful review, Sara, topped off with that powerful quote. You have hit on what made it so fascinating for me, in your paragraph about the universal questions. So glad you knew this would be a perfect group read. 😉
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Megan
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Feb 09, 2026 12:36AM
This came just too soon for me after Les Miserable but I will definitely get to it at some point. A book that makes you aware of life and its universal purpose to another sounds a very thought provoking experience.
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Excellent review Sara! I’m so glad you loved this wonderful, full novel!
I loved that last quote you shared. How true! I read A Fine Balance in the ‘90’s and it slayed me. I have never been able to pick up another of his books for that reason. After your phenomenal review, I may just attempt it.
This one has been on the list since reading A Fine Balance. It sounds like Mistry continues to balance hope and despair and illustrate the human capacity to endure. I hope he also manages to weave in the capacity to love.
A wonderful review. I am intrigued by how we see similarities yet so many differences. I know that all books are interpretive to the reader, with many different variables affecting the reader's view. But I wonder if this one isn't more a case of women are from Venus and men are from Mars in how it affects a person.
Sara, if I hadn’t just added this after reading Kathleen’s review , I would have added it now after reading your wonderful review. I still need to read A Fine Balance.
Megan wrote: "This came just too soon for me after Les Miserable but I will definitely get to it at some point. A book that makes you aware of life and its universal purpose to another sounds a very thought prov..."You will want to be prepared for some difficult scenes, Megan. It is very thought provoking, but not uplifting.
Ann wrote: "Excellent review Sara! I’m so glad you loved this wonderful, full novel!"It lived up to expectations for me, Ann. Glad to see you like it as well.
Antoinette wrote: "I loved that last quote you shared. How true! I read A Fine Balance in the ‘90’s and it slayed me. I have never been able to pick up another of his books for that reason. After your phenomenal revi..."I took a long time deciding to dive into this one, Antoinette. A Fine Balance actually made my heart hurt. He doesn't make it easy on us!
Lisa wrote: "This one has been on the list since reading A Fine Balance. It sounds like Mistry continues to balance hope and despair and illustrate the human capacity to endure. I hope he also manages to weave ..."Mistry writes such complicated situations, with flawed human beings caught in almost impossible webs (sometimes of their own weaving). He always makes me feel as if I want to reach into the novel and show them where the door is -- Just go here! Don't go there!
For anyone who found something worthwhile in A Fine Balance, I think this could not fail to be another good read. You never want to say you "enjoyed" his books, but I am very glad to have read them. I will put his other book on the list, but I need some recovery time before I can get to it.
Bob wrote: "A wonderful review. I am intrigued by how we see similarities yet so many differences. I know that all books are interpretive to the reader, with many different variables affecting the reader's vie..."Thanks, Bob. Reading is so individual an experience, but it is always good to have another view to bounce ideas off of. After all, Venus and Mars both have to orbit the Sun.
Angela M wrote: "Sara, if I hadn’t just added this after reading Kathleen’s review , I would have added it now after reading your wonderful review. I still need to read A Fine Balance."If you have to choose, Angela, A Fine Balance has a tiny edge for me.
A Great book that I remember well even though I read it more years ago than I can remember exactly. Loved your review of it. Mistry is a favorite.
Thanks, Kerry. I am also drawn to his writing, although you know going in that it will not be an easy subject. The fact that you remember it well so much later is a testament to how impactful it is.
Wonderful review, Sara. I read this one a long time back and have forgotten most of it. Thanks for reminding me of this book and of the beautiful writing of Rohinton Mistry.
Such a beautiful review, Sara, topped off with that powerful quote. You have hit on what made it so fascinating for me, in your paragraph about the universal questions. So glad you knew this would be a perfect group read. 😉
