Oprah's Book Club at Goodreads discussion

Post your thoughts on the book here. Sorry it's late!

Just finished this amazing book. What characters! I can't bear to leave them now that I am done reading. I recently returned from a trip to India and reading A Fine Balance, I felt like I was there. Eager to hear others' reactions. I highly recommend this wonderful story.

Thanks for your comment. I will be starting it today.

I love, love, love this book. I bought my copy in Delhi and have read it twice in the last few years. I think it may be my alltime favourite.

I finished this book yesterday. It took me a few pages, at least 200, to get into it. I think because I was also listening to a very intense book at the same time (probably not a good idea). But after reading all the wonderful reviews, I knew I had to finish it and I'm glad I did it. It was heart- wrenching about the caste system! But the characters were amazing in what they did to survive. I did not see the ending coming. I guess I should have, though, because the author had given us clues along the way.

I read this book years ago and liked it, but found it depressing. My sister just returned from a trip to India and said it was very dirty, busy and depressing. Much like what the book depicted. I can still see the characters in my head and how they lived in the slums... not a pretty picture.

Yep, India is all those things. I love the saying "India is an assault on all the senses". I, also, could picture the whole thing in my mind quite clearly.

"...you have to use your failures as stepping stones to success. You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair. It the end it's all a question of balance"

Love that quote and LOVED the book. It's on my top five best books I have ever read. WOW, where do I begin with how this book affected me? The writing is phenomenal. The author makes you feel what the characters feel. Yes, it was not a happy book...but what I learned from it was so powerful. One part that always sticks out in my mind because of the horror of it, is the part where it talks about how the landowners made the "untouchable" workers eat their feces as punishment. It's truly unbelievable the awful things some people have to experience in this world. Has anyone read anything else by him?

Gail wrote: "Just finished this amazing book. What characters! I can't bear to leave them now that I am done reading. I recently returned from a trip to India and reading A Fine Balance, I felt like I was th..."

What similarities did you see from the book and being in India? Did you stay or see any areas similar to what was described in the book? Did you see many homeless/beggars? Watching Slumdog Millionaire helped me to picture the events and scenese from the book but I always wonder how close it is to reality.

Myers1983 wrote: "I read this book years ago and liked it, but found it depressing. My sister just returned from a trip to India and said it was very dirty, busy and depressing. Much like what the book depicted. ..."

I completely agree! It was so depressing. Before I finished the book, I kept hoping that the author would have at least one 'happy' ending for any of the main characters.