Rohinton Mistry - A Fine Balance

~=~ Cautionary Tale ~=~

Before picking up Oprah's current book selection, A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, consider whether you have the time. If you let Mistry's characters take up residence in your head or heart, you will not be able to stop reading. Timing turned out to be a big problem for me. Gifts are sloppily wrapped, holiday dinners are burned, but I kept reading.

But time isn't the only problem. For most of us reading novels for education or enjoyment, there is enough. Our bellies are rarely truly empty and we have shelter for our reading obsession. Mistry started A Fine Balance in India in 1975. Definitely not a place or time of plenty. In this novel, you will care about people who are really hungry, for long stretches of time. People who have no shelter for sleeping, much less time to read. If you let them under your skin, they will have you looking at your own life differently. Will it be through lenses of guilt for what we have? Or gratitude?


~=~The Basic Story ~=~

Caste systems can be destiny. Born to a lowly caste can mean a short life of back breaking labor and hunger. High caste birth? Perhaps some luxury or education will fall your way. In A Fine Balance, one family of lowly caste refused to be defined by it. The father had a plan to elevate his 2 hide tanning sons into the tailoring profession. Success came with a heavy price for the family. Others were envious. The attention drawn by the leap up in class brought misery to the family. Left on their own in the big city, young man Om and his Uncle Ishvar try to find work as tailors.

Dina Dalal wants independence. Widowed young from a "love match" marriage, her wealthy brother holds grudges about not allowing him to arrange a marriage. Dina decides she doesn't need to depend on others to make it. She sets up a business in her residence, a violation of rent laws.

Dina's schoolmate sends her son Maneck to the city to learn a trade. Disgusted by the student hostel, he pays board to Dina in order to have a better place to live. Dina's life starts to revolve around her paying guest, Maneck, and her two sewing employees, Om and Ishvar.

~=~ Surprises ~=~

The biggest surprise in the book was Dina's revelation that she needed others to survive. If she couldn't stomach the price that came from receiving help from her brother, she needed to make up a new family unit to support her. When she realizes how emotionally dependent she is on her 3 new male acquaintances, she is truly shocked.

Ishvar is the sage of the book. "Life is long" is his mantra. It seems to mean that if you don't like today's fortunes, wait, for tomorrow they may change.

Om is headstrong. Chafing under the strict society rules, he yearns to bash heads of those who push him down. His Uncle moderates him, keeping him safer than he would be on his own.

Maneck yearns to be loved by his family. He takes to his new family in the big city, peacemaking and weaving relationships he couldn't have in his mountain village.


~=~ Back drops can be stars too ~=~

No slouch in the story, the reality of India in the 70's plays a starring role. Corrupt government, goondas bashing heads with no regard for laws, and a population explosion which left no housing or food for the masses affect all who cross India's borders.


~=~ Pacing ~=~

Mistry's writing style is deceptive. The book starts out slowly, drawing you in. You feel that the writing is simple. How could this be an epic novel? But before long, you are caught in the snares of the drama. No turning back, you are compelled forward to find out how the 4 main characters fare in the coming pages.


~=~ Happily Ever After? ~=~

Oprah has drawn criticism for choosing gloomy books. Not wanting to spoil the story for you, let me just warn that those seeking "Happily Ever After" may want to pass on this book. There are heart breaking sections that leave you wondering how humans can be so cruel.


~=~ How the book affected me ~=~

My already deep respect for my neighbors from India is now an educated respect after reading this book. It will be hard to deal with the abundance at our Christmas table and under our tree as I think of how Ishvar and Om were grateful for a simple cup of tea. As gratitude lessons go, these guys taught me a huge one. These characters imprinted my heart. If you pick up A Fine Balance, be prepared to give up a piece of yours.


~=~ Bottom Line ~=~

If you are looking for a novel of substance that you can live with for a couple of weeks, I highly recommend A Fine Balance. Just remember my cautions before picking it up. Clear some time for reading. And use your oven timer or you'll be eating a few charred meals!


~=~ Details ~=~

Paperback (November 30, 2001) Vintage Books; ISBN: 140003065X ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.34 x 8.01 x 5.21