Such a Long Journey

I discovered Rohinton Mistry years ago, as a result of his novel "A Fine Balance" being an Oprah's Book Club selection when the club was still active. Mr. Mistry writes in a way that brings his characters and their surroundings vividly to life - I still have lingering memories (after 10 or more years!) of the scenes conveyed in "A Fine Balance", and this book has been much the same... I felt as thought the apartment building of the Nobles and their neighbors was so real that perhaps I could travel to Bombay and find it, and the Parsi community with all its rituals and personalities. Mr. Mistry's books show such a masterful understanding of the human condition, and such great compassion for all those who struggle under the most difficult circumstances...which is not to say that his literature is depressing or sorrowful, but also very uplifting.

Having read Mistry's "A Fine Balance", which left me with high expectations, "Such A Long Journey" fell flat for me at first. It was a pleasant enough read to keep going, but it didn't grab me until page 60, at which point I could not put the book down. Mistry's gift of developing his characters and spinning the story draws the reader in eventually. Unfortunately, towards the conclusion, the book again flatlined for me - to be honest, I was a bit disappointed at how things played out - but things picked up steam again at the very end. It was somewhat of a strange ride, but very enjoyable nonetheless. It may not be fair to say so, but this being his first novel, it almost feels like a practice run of what was to follow in the brilliant "A Fine Balance" - as if Mistry already had something greater in mind but didn't quite dare to venture there yet. In both novels, there is his signature mix of tragic and mundane events (although it's more on the mundane side here), characters from many walks of life, and a good dose of humor. In both novels, there also is a similarly strained father-son relationship; a main character that is being set up and entangled in a crime; buildings/walls are being torn down and of course, movies, markets and train rides which are part of life in India. So, while it was slow-moving at times, it's still a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. P.S. This book was made into a movie (1998, BBC) of the same title.

A strong plot that falls short of delivering the much awaited punch...I personally expected more from the story. Nevertheless, true and heart wrenching in some parts. Loved the vivid writing and believe the characters to have been real blood people from everyday walks of life!

I have now read all three of Mistry's books. I simply love this author! He writes about my hometown, Mumbai and I can relate to everything he talks about. That what makes his books so endearing and interesting. I love the way he narrates the story, all his fascinating characters and the colloquial way the characters speak. I highly recommend this book and also, the other two: A Fine Balance and Family Matters. This book was delivered to me real quick, great price and great condition.

Many years ago, I read and was greatly moved by Mistry's novels, A Fine Balance and A Family Affair. Like his other books, Such a Long Journey deals with family: both blood family and family in the looser sense as community, sometimes beloved, sometimes despised. And it deals with government, corruption and war, primarily through the lens of one family: the Nobles. Gustad Noble, a Parsi living in Bombay with his wife and three children has been a good and honorable man . But as the novel begins, life for his family and him begins to unravel: He has dreams for his eldest son—dreams that his son doesn't share; Gustad works as a bank clerk and although he earns a salary, the family must budget tightly to make ends meet. When his daughter becomes ill, Gustad's wife must sell some gold bracelets to buy medicine. Asked by an intermediary to do a favor for a close friend who had suddenly disappeared, he hesitantly agrees, and thus finds his life becoming more and more entangled with a government about to go to war. Mistry takes you deep inside the family and their friends. The reader comes to understand the conflicting motivations, the misunderstandings, the pettiness, and the pain of each character and in turn, the reader feels that pain and anger and bitterness (and joy, when it comes, albeit infrequently). What makes Mistry so great to read is the respect and empathy he has for his characters. As a reader, you share this empathy and feel rewarded by being so intimately connected to people whose lives are so very different from yours.

Unlike many of the other reviewers, I was disappointed with "A Fine Balance," which I read after this book. I thought it was trite, melodramatic and, in the end, depressing -- all of which, of course, made it a prime book to be chosen for "Oprah," though I admit it was a fast read. But to what avail, if you don't like the book? I got rid of my copy as soon as I could. By contrast, I've read "Such a Long Journey" three times and still love it. I'd agree that plot here is far subjugated to character. But the nuanced, subtle portraits of the family members, the description of their community and building, and the depiction of life in India at that time all make this a beautiful, well-written book. It steps back from the frequent depictions of Indian misery that crop up so frequently they're becoming a cliche, and by focusing on one normal, struggling family, really show a much more vivid and enduring picture of life.

i have loved the previous books by rohinton mistry and was excited when this new one came out; i have to confess that i was a little disappointed as i felt that there was a kernel missing from the story, that in the end dissipated without much development.

I love this author. I recently read SUCH A FINE BALANCE and was still reeling from that story when i began this. That was a mistake. I should have given myself time between the two because this story did not move me as much. It is very well written like all his books. the story is about a man who is struggling with being good and providing for his family and being tempted to being corrupt to provide even better. The descriptions of India and Bombay are so explicit, i felt it, i smelled it, i was there. This is a magnificent author