Such a Long Journey

I bought this book almost two years ago. Started it, found it slow, and put it down. Then I added it to my book challenge since I already had it with me. Started it again. Put it down again. And now finally I have finished it. At last. Phew.

This book was the subject of great controversy thanks to Aditya Thackrey. It was removed from the Bombay University syllabus as it abuses the Shiv Sena. Ha, it does have a few odd references but who cares. They don't have much of a name left anyways. Anyone with a able mind knows that they have done NO good to Bombay.

Oh, getting back to the book. Its a story of a ordinary middle-class Parsi family - The Nobles. Their day to day life, the problems, the simple joys and other quirky details. It then moves into the political backdrop of the Indo-Pak war of 1971. A tale is woven which upsets the life of the Nobles. And the book end with everything (almost) falling into place.

I wouldn't say this book is one of the best I've read. It is really slow and it took me a long time (months) to actually will myself to finish it. I was so thrilled that it was over. It is well written but not as interesting as I thought it would be, so I can say I was slightly disappointed. It was also made into a movie and I'm trying to get my hands on that. Maybe I'll like it better in that form. Who knows !

I am loking forward to reading the other book by Mistry which is The Fine Balance. I've heard that it is better than this one. Let's see.