The Folded Earth

The first 100 or so pages of this started out as strong as An Atlas of Impossible Longing, which I absolutely loved reading last year. I remember now why I love Anuradha Roy's writing so much - it comes off as enchanting and magical, and she says everything so eloquently and with occasional large words. I love how she interworks details from Indian history, archaeology, and culture with the main point of the story. But, unfortunately, I did not think that this book was anywhere near as fantastic as Roy's previous novel. The plot was very slow-paced, and if not for Roy's great writing, I would probably have been bored enough to struggle finishing the book. The storyline meandered, never truly reaching what was expected from reading the show more book's blurbs. I didn't feel like the story and characters were as well-developed as they could have been, and the overall plot seemed to be missing some cohesive element. I think, on the last page, I finally grasped SOME of the points Roy was trying to make with the novel. The Folded Earth is worth a read - Roy's writing is still wonderful and there are some interesting points to the book - but if you're choosing between it and An Atlas of Impossible Longing, go with the latter! show less

This was such a pleasant surprise - Roy is a wonderful writer and I am ready to move to Ranikhet, a fictionalized version of where the author lives - it reminded me of Narayan's Malgudi. a kind of down-to-earth scale and while there is politics and danger and modern technology, there is also a kind of good-tempered contentment and humanity. There is a plot here but I found it less interesting than the creation of place and character.

Also, one of my favorite Bollywood songs - Dum Maro Dum - is a plot point.

I'd first like to direct you to the beautiful cover! Doesn't that cover just draw you in? Make you feel as if something beautiful is waiting within? An awesome cover has me from the word go.

I found this book to be both beautiful, engaging, and frustrating all at the same time. The book is broken up into two parts. Part One just seemed to lay the groundwork for Part Two. Part One was very hard for me to get involved in. Part Two was very engaging. I fell in love with many of the local village characters. I was anxiously waiting to see how Charu's story turned out and whether Veer was really the jerk I thought him to be. The writing made you feel as if you were there with the characters. I came to feel as if I knew Ranikhet, the village show more where this story was set. I actually found myself wanting more from many of the main characters. This story ended too abruptly, it left me with unanswered questions even though the story lines were all completed.

If you enjoy a well written story, read this for the feeling of village life in India, the quirky characters, the beauty of the mountains. Anuradna Roy showed me a place I'd never been before. show less

Set in the northern hill country, this is the story of a young widow who flies from the city to teach in this remote location, hoping to escape her unresolved grief concerning the death of her young husband in a trekking accident. But she finds that we cannot escape the past by moving. Beautifully written, this book drew me in. As many reviewers have noted, the basic story is very sad, but, as with all stories of grief, there is hope for healing and for new young lovers to have a better life.

This book took you on a journey that was rich with nuances of complexity and emotional intelligence. The setting and characters are so vivid and well developed, all the elements of a great story are here! I enjoyed the way the author weaved so many characters together and told the story in a deeply intelligent and sophisticated way. Bravo!

What I can tell you about The Folded Earth is this: Roy writes about life, loss and forbidden loves. Much the same as her first novel, but in this case she concentrates on varying characters. Her open door into the lives of the Indian culture, what is allowed, and what is not is brilliantly written. She brings the reader along for the ride with exotic descriptions and explanations. The twist in her ending is a tragedy and a relief, yet it leaves you wanting more. More descriptions, more debauchery and more forbidden love.

If you love her first book you will certainly enjoy this one as well!

I highly recommend it!

Nicely written though not totally coherent Indian novel about a young woman coping with grief against a background of social change. For my full review, please see whispering gums: http://whisperinggums.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/anuradha-roy-the-folded-earth-sha...