As I scramble for words to speak of this book and even manage to get hold of some. I wait till they fall from my tongue into the depths of infinite hopelessness.

And someday, I hope these words will find me again. These words, these thoughts will help me accept the despair that is this thing called life.

Overwhelmed is perhaps an understated word I can use to describe the feeling this book has left me with. And yet I don't know what else to draw on to express what I experienced when I closed the book.

Two things I did feel for sure were shock and a sense of loss.

The background of the novel is eerily similar to the current times and in that sense it seems as relevant today as it was when it was first published.

Covering the period from beginning of the emergency to 1984 Sikh genocide, it touches upon the horrors of partition of 1947 and captures the heinousness of caste based atrocities in rural India.

The novel has four major and a couple of minor characters and the setting traverses between a big city by seaside (with every hint that it is Bombay), a village and a small hilly town. The characters come from diverse backgrounds and the only thing that connects them perhaps is their fight for a decent, normal and dignified life.

Mistry works up the novel slowly, diligently, with such detail to each character and their everyday life that you cannot help but feel a kind of fondness for each of them. So much so that you smile when they smile and cry when their eyes moisten. Their sorrows weigh heavy on your mind and tragedies that strike them stifle your senses too.

The characters wade through their lives as if bound by a force unseen, their lives burdened at each step by some divine will. Still they try to extract as much joy as they can while their alliance take every hue possible. I was reminded of the idea of Immanent Will as employed by Thomas Hardy in his novels, most strikingly in Tess of D’Urbervilles, where Tess seem helpless while bracing the forces of nature/fate and finally meets a tragic end.

It is an impeccable work of fiction which left me wanting more even after 614 pages. It has some of the most beautiful and haunting passages I have ever read.

But where did the book really present A Fine Balance? I don’t think I have an answer to that. It ends on a grim note and yet manages to leave the reader with some promise, however unjust it may appear to be.

The end of the book did not give me a sense of closure. Like life which rarely seems to offer any. Perhaps closure only comes in death. To live is to keep vacillating from one unknown to another with scales always tipping in a manner unequal.

Liking this book makes no sense. Not only are its characters subjected to like, the bleakest set of circumstances ever, but then those circumstances are presented to the reader with such an alarming degree of authorial detachment that you almost have to wonder whether Mistry himself—fed up with the unending series of hardships his characters are required to endure—didn’t just raise his arms in the air and say, “Oh, fuck it.” And yet I could not tear myself away from this train wreck.

A Fine Balance presents neither a balanced nor a very fine account of a group of four Indian residents during the late 1970s. These folks, heralding from different castes and backgrounds, are tossed together by their individually perturbing situations to forge an unlikely bond—not unlike the bond formed among the cast members of Big Brother or The Real World except that in this case, the glamorous hot tub around which the characters congregate is replaced by a broken propane stove and a rusty tap from which water can be drawn only occasionally. For those not brushed up on their political history, the late 1970s saw India under the rule of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who, though largely considered one of India’s greatest prime ministers on account of her centralizing policies (the constitutionality of which, I suppose, could be debated), was certainly not among those in the author’s favor. Throughout the story, Mistry’s characters are continually being caught in Gandhi’s crossfire even while remaining mostly oblivious to the political climate surrounding them. We get the distinct impression that Mistry is trying really hard to keep his own opinions from interfering with the story, but it is pretty obvious dude’s got some serious bitterness issues to work out.

Anyway, this book is not without its flaws. A few characters bump into each other under repeatedly, under no plausible pretext other than pure coincidence, and this coincidence occurs frequently enough, especially toward the end of the novel, that the reader has to remind himself that this is India we’re talking about here, right? The one with a population density of a thousand people per square mile? Mistry makes us feel like this might be an India under glass, where the characters are tiny steel balls and Mistry is controlling the flippers.

This book is good, though. For all its doom and gloom, I still see the hope in its pages. Three of its characters are clothing tailors, and one of the repeated themes is something about how life is like the patchwork of a quilt, the good parts and the bad parts being sewn together—but if one were to try to remove the bad parts, he’d only end up with holes in his life.

(I suppose you’d have to think positively when you share a crapper with 150 other villagers.)

It’s quite surprising at how a reread can change a lot of things about a book. When I read Rohinton Mistry’s second novel, A Fine Balance back in 2005, what struck me were the characters and how they interacted with each other. Now many years later I approached the novel from a different perspective.

The story, which takes place during the 1975 state of emergency, concerns two tailors, a university student and a widow. At one point in the novel all four characters live together. I will not dwell on this as I have spoken about it already.

To state the obvious A Fine Balance is a VERY Political book.

Here Rohinton Mistry tackles on many aspects of India’s political system of the time through the main protagonists. The tailors, Om and Ishvar are Mistry’s vehicle for explaining the injustices of the caste system: Originally their family were cobblers (chamar caste) then changed and became clothiers 9Darzi caste) through this Om and Ishvar’s family suffer due to the fact that people should not change their caste. Mistry also uses these characters to show the unfairness which can befall lower castes in India: at points the tailors attend a work camp, are evicted and forced into government schemes with have repercussions. Sometimes as a means of revenge, other through government bumbling.

Dina and Maneck are Parsi (middle class) One could say that these characters represent a changing India, one that is filled with racial intolerance, bullying and bribes and yet, due to their class they are able to survive in a better fashion than Om and Ishvar but what is important is how these characters cope.

Another thing I noticed this time round was Mistry attention to detail. At many points he drops little clues about his characters’ habits and those can signify bigger changes in the novel. One example is a teacup Dina gives the tailors, over the course of their friendship the teacup changes. Another example is the symbolism of the quilt Dina makes of the different pieces of cloth on the floor. At one point it serves as a recollection of memories and throughout the book it unravels and has to be repaired, thus becoming a metaphor for life, even the title itself can refer to a philosophy of life but it retains a literal meaning when a performing balancing act goes too far.

The structure and style of the book is interesting as it mixes post modern techniques with classical ones. At first, the book shifts from present day in one chapter, to the past in another, at least in the first half, The second half of the book evolves into a Dickensian narrative where coincidences and happenings appear and move the plot forward. As I stated before there are moments of pure happiness mixed with some grim ones,

I have said many times that I consider this book a classic and this reread has confirmed it. A Fine Balance is an excellent novel which excels in every aspect, It’s not everyday I’ll say it’s literary perfection but it is.


____________________ Older Review ______________________________




I read A Fine Balance back in summer 2005 and I carted it everywhere, despite it being a 650 page novel, it flows with ease and Mistry’s prose is utterly beguiling.

It’s mid seventies India and the government has declared a state of emergency, poverty is rife and people are being killed due to riots. In this political mess two tailors, a university student and a disillusioned widow all end up living together in a house. All characters come from different social classes and Mistry highlights the differences between each person through flashbacks and the present situation of all four people . That is until the political situation leads to a devastating climax.

Readers beware this is not a novel filled with happiness, each character has his or her own spell of bad luck but Mistry is never self-indulgent and there are quite a few laugh out loud (and even rude) moments in A Fine Balance. Despite this it is a truly addictive novel. What kept me going was the sheer power and simplicity of the writing. Mistry creates a scene so realistic that you’d imagine every scene in your head perfectly and his way with words is just makes one emote.

For such a thick book I am writing a short review but trust me a lot goes on in this dynamic novel and it’s rather you pick it up. Weirdly enough I have read this author’s other novels (and short story collection) and none of them really live up to this one (although Family Matters comes very close) so if you’re a beginner do read this one first.

Unlike many of the Indian novels I have read, this book focuses on the Emergency years under Indira Gandhi. Mistry’s characters live through the terrifying campaigns of forced sterilization and “beautification” (slum destruction). But there is more to the novel than the abuses that occurred during the Emergency. Mistry takes the reader into the world of rural India in the 1960s and 70s where challenges to the caste system often resulted in beating, maiming, and sometimes death. He describes the discriminatory and violent, but sometimes loving, interactions and relationships between Indians of different religions. The bulk of the novel, however, explores the world of India’s urban poor. The beggars in A Fine Balance add a fascinating, disturbing edge to the novel, especially Shankar.
The book is mesmerizing, complex, funny, and terribly, terribly sad. It is a consuming work, one that made me hold my breath hoping that the characters would make it through unharmed. Also unlike several of the Indian novels I have read, everything in the story seems perfectly, painfully real. While not ultimately an upper, A Fine Balance is such a complete story, such a beautiful exploration of life in a particular place and a particular time that all the tragedies cannot stop it from being a pleasure to read.

Comments from 2005:

But maybe the most important book I read was Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. To explain why, let me refer also to A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, actually a rather devastating book to read because of the unhappy ending for all the characters. They had one happy year, and their happiness was not composed of riches, bliss, adventure, or great success. Instead, it was made up of the daily domestic activities and routine that they experienced together. Similarly, the narrator of Gilead finds that a town where old men can walk in the streets and little boys can play constitutes the real miracle; some would say heaven on earth. These books help me remember to appreciate the routines of the day such as cooking and eating together and to say, “Thank you.” It is oh so easy to only focus on the stress and demands and forget that happiness is right under our noses.

“So are you saying there is no hope?” she interrupted him. “There is always hope—hope enough to balance our despair. Or we would be lost.”

A well told story set in India in the 1970’s, about the fine balance between life’s joys and heartaches, told through four primary characters, including an uncle and nephew, self-made from an untouchable caste and who are both now tailors, employed by a beautiful, middle aged widow who chooses an independent life after her husband’s untimely death, and a young border that she takes in for the extra income. They, along with several other characters like Worm, the Monkey-man, the BeggarMaster, the hair collector and the proofreader are beautifully drawn and the development of their relationships is skillfully done.

Having just closed the book, I’m reflecting on the fact that there seemed to be more lows than highs, and those lows were incredibly low and heartbreaking, but as is sometimes the case, the widow’s final act that we are given to witness, is but a whisper in the bigger scheme, yet powerful, triumphant and satisfying.

“If there was an abundance of misery in the world, there was also sufficient joy, yes—as long as one knew where to look for it.”

I’m so glad I read this book, based on reviews from GR friends. It’s one that will stick with me for a long time...highly recommended!

Audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam. A format I highly recommend for this novel.

“Please always remember, the secret of survival is to embrace change, and to adapt. To quote: ‘All things fall and are built again, and those that build them again are gay.’ ” “Yeats?” guessed Maneck. The proofreader nodded, “You see, you cannot draw lines and compartments, and refuse to budge beyond them. Sometimes you have to use your failures as stepping-stones to success. You have to maintain a fine balance between hope and despair.” He paused, considering what he had just said. “Yes,” he repeated. “In the end, it’s all a question of balance.” Maneck nodded. “

The above paragraph summarizes the novel quite well, I would say. The conversation was carried out by Manek, one of the main characters and a mysterious character who reappears three times in the novel. My buddy readers are also fascinated and confused by this key person and his role in the story.

The novel takes place during the State of Emergency period installed by Indira Gandhi and follows the lives of four characters and how their life is affected by the draconic regulations. The first chapters show us how those people of different ages and social status came to meet each other. Then, we are introduced to each character’s life story. We have Dina, an independent widow who tries to survive on her own and not depend on her domineering brother. She is a tailor but her diminishing sight forces her to look for help. Ishvar and his nephew Om are two tailors who ran away from their village due to caste violence and are desperate to find a job in the city. Lastly, there is Manek a young student who is looking for a place to live, unhappy with the squalid conditions in the hostel where he had accommodation.

The writing gave me Dickensian and Hardy vibes. We follow the three characters through their failures, hurts and minor successes. I started to care a lot for this characters and I could not stop from suffering with them every time something bad happened. And here is the problem and the reason I gave the book only 4 stars. Too many bad things happen to this limited number of people, especially to Om and Ishvar. I could not bear it at some point and felt really depressed. All those bad things are real and many people were affected but those two felt like the unluckiest people in the world. The writing had some humour, probably intended as some sort of anaesthetic for the pain the author inflicted on his characters and the reader. I broadened my knowledge about the caste system, forced sterilization and other horrible practices. I also improved my knowledge of the Partition and The State of Emergency. I am glad I read A Fine Balance, I believe it is an important novel but one has to be in the right state of mind to cope with all that misery.

A sad and depressing novel. “A fine balance” by Mistry never maintains the balance between happy and sad tales. Nothing good happens in the characters life. The balance is completely outweighed by gloom and sadness.
It is one among those novels which you read because something makes you hold on to it, even though time and again you feel the plot (specifically the coincidences) is very filmy and many times irritating, the characters are not very true or real (there actions start bugging you) and still you continue to read.
The reason I can pin point for liking the novel is the backdrop of the novel (the time period selected), the atrocities in villages and cities during the emergency period in India. This novel without any doubts explains the torture faced by poor population in India during different times. But author goes too far to relate the whole backdrop with four main characters, and more then natural , every twist and turn in the story starts looking like forced coincidences.
The true portrayal of Parsi’s culture and characters is one of the masterstrokes of Mistry. “Family Matters” by the same author is far superior to this one in my opinion.
Will recommend only if you want to feel gloomy and sad other than that only take away from this novel is insight on atrocities during difficult times in India on poor people. Read it at your own risk.

Very impressive novel with a broad scope. The prose, the characterization, the story and its pacing - everything is impeccable.

This novel represents life, to say the least. The real, raw and unfiltered version of life where nothing is glossed over or skipped. It's all stripped bare, with its joys, miseries and adversaries. Rohinton Mistry must be a very deep and critical observer. No minor detail escapes his eye. He certainly knows how to write, and deftly avoiding clichés and extravagance. His writing is neat and honest befitting the subject matter.
The story is bleak and tragic but not devoid of humor and never gets boring or tiresome.

In Mistry's world, nothing is purely black or white. Evil and good; chaos and order are all intertwined and inseparable. All of the characters are rooted deeply in real life, with their struggles and tribulations; meanness and compassion sharing similar human fallacies. They are not dreaming of privileges but of basic human necessities. Their story is of courage, endurance and survival against odds. Mistry's characters are the neglected or overlooked lot of the country. Those living in poverty and slums, in various circumstances and playing their roles in society. Even the side characters have a significant role in the novel, be it Beggarmaster, beggars, hair-collector, rent-collector, policeman or tailor.

The novel examines the lives of ordinary and under-privileged people affected and shaped by the abuse of power and corruption. The inter-caste violence remains un-punished. The era of chaos and injustice when people are robbed of everything they had and yet not allowed to mourn their losses.

Ishvar and Omprakash's fate makes me realize that defiance and courage of three generations is probably insufficient to uproot what has been happening for centuries. The evil prejudices and ignorant practices that plague the societies are not easy to eradicate.

On the other hand, Dina Dalai's defiance toward oppression; her strong will to lead an independent and dignified life is also turned upside down by fate's cruel mockery. Independence and self-autonomy remains an illusion. Maneck Kohla's life remains empty without any real joy or sense of purpose.

n  “One day you must tell me your full and complete story, unabridged and unexpurgated. You must. We will set aside some time for it, and meet. It’s very important.”
“You don’t know? It’s extremely important because it helps to remind yourself of who you are. Then you can go forward, without fear of losing yourself in this ever-changing world.”n

Probably the most depressing novel I have ever read.

Beautifully written novel.