Book Review #1 : "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry

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The very apt and veracious platform of life have been presented by Mistry, popping out the bubbles of mere hopes and barriers. This book is not only showing a transparent-societal mirror, but also touches the nerves of common people, living at their own pace and time zones, unacquainted with each other!

The story revolves around four people, living three different lives and shared chapters of struggles during Internal Emergency in India.

Dina Dalal, a regular woman, whose childhood was an amalgamation of deprived father, aloof mother, and cold brother. She efficiently fought for her independence, chose the right partner besides all divergence of communal talks and long-lasting traditions. Everything just turned upside down again when Rustom passed away, who was her only ray of survival.

Ishvar and Omprakash, incongruous partners of common battles of patriarchal differences, untouchability, social stratum, and poverty. Despite upgrading their fate from chamar to darji, they never got the recognition. From village to town, they roamed like dropouts from fame, seeking refuges at station, political rallies, in front of stores, jhuggis, verandah, enforced vasectomy camps and more.

Maneck, a mountain boy, engrossed in the childhood phase of unwinding times, suffered his existence between industrial-political growth and relationships.

Their lives entwined in so complex yet chilled manner. Even though their ethics were incompatible, but their moral made them inseparable. Mistry has presented everything in platter in bitter-sweet way, defining textures of Indian faces, exotic characters, deserted circumstances, and complected struggles. I am at loss of words! A must read for those who sees life through different lenses, and who are willing to notice diminutive facts about everything.


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