I loved this book as much as his first and thought Meera was an extremely well portrayed, especially for a male author, and look forward to further books by this author. ( )

I tried very hard to read this book since I acquired it through the early reviewer program on Librarything, but in the end I had to stop.

Firstly, the book opened up with what seemed like an erotic episode that turned out to involve a mother and her baby feeding. Secondly, while the Indian history, the background, kept pulling me along, kept me involved, the overall story itself was not something that I could sink my teeth into. I just plain could not get myself to like any of the characters. In an of itself a flaw I can get around most of the time, but I just couldn't get myself to do so this time.

I am sure the book could have and maybe even did become much better as it progressed, I just could not continue and put it to the side to finish later. Well, months passed, a year or so, I think. And so I have to conclude that I might restart and then finish this book later, my attempt this time is at an end.

Take this knowledge in mind while using reflecting on this review. I will admit that the author is quite good at constructing memorable scenes. I still can remember, vividly, specific events that occurred in the book.

After reading The Death of Vishnu, I was looking forward to Suri''s new novel. Sadly, I was disappointed. It's a bit difficult, in most cases, to enjoy a novel when you don't like the narrator/main character. As someone else said, Meera comes across as petty and vengeful; all of her decisions seem to come out of spite or selfishness. Her obsession with her son goes beyond dysfunctional, and yet she always feels self-righteous about her actions. Every time she begins to realize the mistakes she has been making, she vows to correct them but ends up justifying her errors and continuing her negative behaviors, telling herself it's for Ashvin's good when it's clearly to indulge herself. Perhaps if I was more knowledgeable about the characteristics of Shiva, I'd have enjoyed this more--but I really don't think so. A good novel needs more than a plotted parallel structure with links to a myth. It needs characters who are more than stereotypes and a story that engages the reader.

Suri's writing is fine, although I've read many other Indian authors who give a better, more complete view of life in India. ( )

Compelling reading. I was hanging out for some glimmer of hope for Meera and Dev and Ashvin amidst the spiralling waves of dysfunctional relationships, disappointments, spent causes and betrayals. But in the end, it is an authentic portrayal of India - living with sadness, as well as the sheer joy at other times - each etched into the nation's soul. ( )