The Toss of a Lemon (edition 2008)

3.25 stars

When Sivakami marries Hanumarathnam when she is 10 years old, they only have a few years together before he dies. She is left raising two children, a boy and a girl. They grow up and Thangam (the daughter) marries and has multiple children of her own; unfortunately, she doesn't seem to want them, nor does her husband seem to want to take much care of her or them. Sivakami ends up raising most of Thangam's children, as well. The son, Vairum, marries, and although they have trouble having children, Vairum is successful, financially. Sivakami is a Brahmin and there are very strict rules for her to follow as a widow. The book continues through Sivakami's life, as she watches her children and grandchildren grow up, marry, and have their own children.

This was ok, with moments of more interest. There are a lot of Indian characters and names to try to remember, so I had a bit of trouble with that. Also, had a bit of trouble with some words and phrases that I didn't quite understand – it's possible I missed some explanations, though, if my mind wandered. The story shifts viewpoints, but the only difficultly in following whose viewpoint it is, is remembering who's who with the names! ( )

I really enjoyed this epic novel, the story of an Indian family during the first half of the 20th century. It’s very much a domestic drama, lightly spiced by the political happenings of the period. But what’s fascinating is how the people lived their caste privileges and responsibilities, on an intimate level. The protagonists here are Brahmin, and the main character is a woman, Sivakami, who is widowed at a young age, and has to raise her children and most of her grandchildren alone.

Sivakami does this in spite of the very rigid behavioral rules for Brahmin widows. And then after she has sacrificed herself in order to maintain respectability – and, as she sees it, to uphold the honor of her family - her family tests the rules she has lived by. She’s a really interesting and well-drawn character – both fragile and strong, conservative but courageous.

There are a lot of people in this family, and sometimes the reader loses sight of some of them. But most of the characters come strongly to life. And the story as a whole feels very real.
( )

I really enjoyed this epic novel, the story of an Indian family during the first half of the 20th century. It’s very much a domestic drama, lightly spiced by the political happenings of the period. But what’s fascinating is how the people lived their caste privileges and responsibilities, on an intimate level. The protagonists here are Brahmin, and the main character is a woman, Sivakami, who is widowed at a young age, and has to raise her children and most of her grandchildren alone.

Sivakami does this in spite of the very rigid behavioral rules for Brahmin widows. And then after she has sacrificed herself in order to maintain respectability – and, as she sees it, to uphold the honor of her family - her family tests the rules she has lived by. She’s a really interesting and well-drawn character – both fragile and strong, conservative but courageous.

There are a lot of people in this family, and sometimes the reader loses sight of some of them. But most of the characters come strongly to life. And the story as a whole feels very real.
( )

This was a very good and informative book. Because of my lack of understanding of both the Hindu faith and the Indian culture I found it difficult to get into the book. Sometimes I had to reread paragraphs However, once the groundwork was settled I found it a very interesting and good story.

The tale of one Brahmin Indian family from the end of the 19th century until a few years after national independence and Pakistani partitian is engaging. It is, for someone from North America, an exotic story because of its location, while at the same time it is a very familiar story as we read of a middle-class family and its daily life and relationships.

This is a book that requires patience, and it is not always easy, but it is worth the effort ( )

Surrounded by the despicable recent rape and murder of an innocent in Delhi and charmed by the wonderful women I met on a visit to South India, I read books by Indian authors to learn more of what makes up the psyche of this country. How much damage did colonialism do? Why are women so little valued? Why the ban on dating and on what we would consider typical intercations of people - falling in love, dating, having friends of the opposite sex? This is a sprawling family saga where women are essential but the fueding of men steers the destiny of all. Long but well written and heartfelt.