It was a tough decision, rating this book. Normally a 4 star book, for me, is a book I can recommend to just about anyone. This book was so heart-wrenching and sad for me, that I think I would have to give a warning to anyone I talked to about it. And yet, if an author can make me feel so much sadness and pain-well, for that fact alone the book deserves the 4 stars.
In current day India, Bhima is a long time servant in the household of Sera. Sera treats Bhima well, so much so that others chastise her for the good treatment she bestows on her employee. Bhima and Sera could be called friends, but there is a fine line between them. Bhima's granddaughter and Sera's daughter and husband intertwine in the story.
The writing is exquisite, but I had to read this book in "little bites". The occurrence of abuse and poverty and class distinction, well it just got overwhelming at times.
Yes. I know there is a follow-up book, but I am going to have to delay reading it for awhile. I am sure it will be just as sad, and I can't do that again right now-LoL
It was a tough decision, rating this book. Normally a 4 star book, for me, is a book I can recommend to just about anyone. This book was so heart-wrenching and sad for me, that I think I would have to give a warning to anyone I talked to about it. And yet, if an author can make me feel so much sadness and pain-well, for that fact alone the book deserves the 4 stars.
In current day India, Bhima is a long time servant in the household of Sera. Sera treats Bhima well, so much so that others chastise her for the good treatment she bestows on her employee. Bhima and Sera could be called friends, but there is a fine line between them. Bhima's granddaughter and Sera's daughter and husband intertwine in the story.
The writing is exquisite, but I had to read this book in "little bites". The occurrence of abuse and poverty and class distinction, well it just got overwhelming at times.