Helpful Score: 2
This is a well written book and I found it especially fascinating with descriptions of Bombay, India and its characters. Though the protagonist, Miranda, is a reporter, she decides to investigate an old death of a woman who was married to a famous Indian director. Now her sister is married to that man and Miranda fears for her. Though there is no direct evidence, except some vague reference near the end linking the director to his first wife's death, Miranda keeps trying to fit the facts to her desired end which is to make the director a murderer. Even when her investigation leads down different paths does Miranda keep her main "guilty" party as the culprit. This made no sense to me except of a woman with an obsession. In a way, Miranda's depiction as a cold human being is fascinating at times. I found myself wondering what other trouble she was going to get into next. So if you like tough, emotionless protaganists and the depiction of other cultures this is a book I'd recommend. Then again, you may find yourself likeing Miranda for her chutzpah; all the better.
Helpful Score: 2
I have to admit that I did not finish this book. It's beautifully written and the story is interesting; I just found the style -- a sort of South Asian magical realism -- difficult to penetrate in the context of a mystery.
That having been said, I think I would have enjoyed the book (and probably finished it) if it had been marketed as regular literature. I was SHOCKED to learn that the author is Canadian -- she has captured the crushingly humid, crowded atmosphere of pre-monsoon India perfectly.
If you think Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie or Isabelle Allende should write mysteries, you will LOVE this book. If you're a fan of the traditional, linear mystery novel, it's best to enjoy the book for its word pictures and elegant language.
That having been said, I think I would have enjoyed the book (and probably finished it) if it had been marketed as regular literature. I was SHOCKED to learn that the author is Canadian -- she has captured the crushingly humid, crowded atmosphere of pre-monsoon India perfectly.
If you think Vikram Seth, Salman Rushdie or Isabelle Allende should write mysteries, you will LOVE this book. If you're a fan of the traditional, linear mystery novel, it's best to enjoy the book for its word pictures and elegant language.
Helpful Score: 1
Harper's Bazaar called it riveting and that was right on the mark.
