Abhyudaya Shrivastava’s Reviews > A Fine Balance > Status Update

Suddenly it has started making sense. The hyperbole was not without purpose. I feel an anger against caste violence, discrimination and disbalaned power structures in India. It is an incredibly sad book but that's because the author seems to be incredibly angry with the status quo.

Nearing denouement, the novel is nowhere close to having a point except being an exaggeration of poverty and melancholy in urban India. I guess this novel was written as poverty porn for Westerners by an author who either lacks empathy or is disingenuous. The language is good though.

At this time, I am simply in awe of the writer's choice of words. All criticism aside, this is a well-written book.

Reading this book is not a pleasurable experience at all. I think Mr. Mistry is enjoying a bit too much when he explains the misery of people. There is a clear lack of empathy in this author. The quality of writing is good. The imagery is evocative. But the author is bit disingenuous with his story. It is like reading a foreigner's take on Indian society. Zero compassion. I hope he redeems himself in the coming pages