For the most part, I enjoyed this book. It tells the story of Meera, whose marriage is falling apart, and Jak, who is determined to uncover the mysterious circumstances behind his teenage daughter's devastating accident. The characters felt very real and nuanced; it was the story that sometimes worked for me and sometimes did not. Overall, though, The Lilac House is a worthwhile read. ( )

I have to admit that this book was appealing to me. However, the writting style in the book was very hard to follow. I stopped and started reading it numerous times before finally finishing it. ( )

I did like the Lilac House but I found the writing style hard to follow which interfered with t he story. I want to change my review slightly. I read this again, and I was so touched by both the story and the social issues it raises. It's a wonderful book! I recommend it to you if you have not read it. Such a sweet and beautiful story.I love the way Nair ties in the Greek mythology and the physics regarding weather. That was so unique! I look forward to reading her other books and any others to come. I have recommended this book to several friends, and now I'm strongly recommending it to you. ( )

My introduction to Anita Nair's work came in the form of her novel "Mistress", which was a beautifully written novel that made it's way into my heart, and I could not remove from my mind long after I was done reading it. I read "Ladies Coupe", which I did not enjoy as much. With "The Lilac House", Nair has delivered yet another solid novel that I can file under my favorites. Yet another beautifully crafted novel by the author, which I find myself as satisfied with as I was with "Mistress".

But don't get me wrong - this book is still a richly woven tale, that is sure to be a good read for just about anyone who cares to explore the human condition. The story is about Meera, and it is also a story about Jak. Meera's husband disappears from a party, except, he has not just disappeared from a party but from the lives of his wife and son. Jak's wife cannot bear with the demands of being a mother of a troubled daughter, and a wife, and leaves her child and her husband.

You would think that which ensues after is predictable - yet, if there is one quality to be praised about Nair, it is that she can take even the simplest tale and make it special. For example, Jak is a weather expert, and writes about the "Metaphysics of Cyclones", and the stages of a cyclone become the stages in which this tale unfolds. Nair's characters are multi-dimensional, and you see them not just as jilted spouses, but as struggling parents, and incomplete beings in search of themselves. It is the tenderness with which the author writes her characters that really make this novel remarkable.

For some, it may seem a bit dragged out, or boring initially...however, I assure you, this is just the writing style of the author. She takes her time building her characters, meandering through their lives in a languid fashion, and then before you know it, you are completely and irrevocably invested in the narrative. If you can stick with it, you will be rewarded with a rich, beautiful, and captivating story that is sure to mesmerize you. ( )