Genre: Fiction/Signet Classics
Paperback: 208 pages 134
Average Amazon Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars (134 customer reviews)
Review Breakdown: 5 star: (40) 4 star: (56) 3 star: (16) 2 star: (11) 1 star: (11)
Brief Amazon Book Description: Named Notable Book of 1955 by the American Library Association, this is the very moving story of a peasant woman in a primitive village in India whose whole life was a gallant and persistent battle to care for those she loved.
Review: Rukmani, a peasant from a village in India, lives a life of constant struggle, yet she is a source of strength for many. At age twelve she marries a man she has never met and moves with him to his rented farmland. Over the years their marriage fills with love, mutual respect, and children: one daughter and many sons. A tannery built near their village forever alters Rukmani's life, for the tannery takes away farmland and silence, and while it provides jobs, they come with great costs. The changes in village life from an agricultural to an industrial community frighten Rukmani; her life becomes one of "Hope and fear. Twin forces that tugged at us first in one direction and then in another...Fear, constant companion of the peasant. Hunger, ever present to jog his elbow should he relax. Despair, ready to engulf him should he falter."
My Review: A-. Literally could have been one of the most depressing books I've EVER read (similar to the sadness I felt while reading, The Kite Runner), but it wasn't. For me, it was like reading the most beautiful love story. It's funny, because there were so many characters - all dealing with their sadness, pain, hunger, depression - to feel sorry for. In this book there was prostitution, the hungry were killed, children with rotten teeth and limbs missing, our heroine dealing with an overwhelming amount of tragedy, and all around destitute; however there was a love story...not the traditional love story...not the butterflies in your belly love story...or the passionate lust love story...but this unknown kind of love story. It was so beautiful to me that I found myself, putting the book down, because it was so heavy and I needed time to digest it all. The speaker is point-blank inspirational. If you are going through a "ingrate" phase, which we all do, please read this book. It will definitely give you a jolt of gratefulness.
Pairing: This book is best with black tea, esp. Darjeeling and Ceylon (an Indian black tea). I also really enjoy Orange Pekoe (combined with a coconut based black tea). Make sure to add cream or milk to all teas - along with a touch of honey. And I believe all black tea should be accompanied by a sweet tea biscuit with jam (preferably Mango jam - keeping to the Indian fruit tradition). I also found myself yearning for Indian cuisine - the descriptions are fantastic.
Memorable Quote: There were so many, but I loved
"Bend like the grass that you do not break."
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