I'm sure this is a great book. I've heard the author is excellent. But like many other people I've heard from online, I just could not get into it. I'm sure some of it is that I've picked it up in fits and bits, and I haven't devoted the time to it that it deserves. But I'm only 20% into it, and I just don't feel like continuing.
Live's too short. I'll start something else, and tell myself that maybe someday I'll come back to it. Or not. - June
I listened to the audio version of this book, and it held my interest - but I have mixed emotions about it. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the print version as much because the narrator did such a wonderful job.
The novel is about an 80-something British woman named Mabel whose husband has just died. Instead of being lonely, she befriends a group of diverse women who seem to gather around her. Mabel becomes a bit of a busybody and tries to "help" these women by interfering in their lives. Sometimes this works but other times not so much. But the primary goal Mabel has is to find an old friend of hers named Dot which requires lots of research and the use of multiple flashbacks.
It's a nice cozy story until the end when there are a few surprises. And if you want to take a shot of tequila every time someone in the book makes tea or says they will "put the kettle on", you'll be drunk in minutes. But it's a good book to listen to in the car on the way to Macomb. - June
Whew! I have finally finished this long (but excellent) novel!! I don't know why it took me so long to get through it. Maybe because it is a million pages long and the percentage read number on my Kindle rarely moved. Or maybe it's because there were several times during the saga I felt things were wrapping up and over.... only to see that I wasn't close to being done.
Since this is a novel spread over several generations, people are born, people die, there are secrets.... lots of secrets. And there are wonderful characters that you will love.
It takes place in India starting in 1900 and ends in the late 70s. The story follows one family; however, there are extended family members and spouses and friends that come in and out and then come back into the story line. I can't possible summarize this one but I'll just say it was worth the read. Now I need to find something a little lighter and shorter. Definitely recommend. - June
