I am not sure how to review this. I finished the audiobook version of this quickly - in about a week - so it definitely held my attention but thinking back over it, I didn’t really like many of the characters. I am torn between 3 and 4 stars because even though I was frustrated with many of the characters, I would definitely read another book by the author.

I thought the class and gender conflicts were interesting and frustrating (I guess it is good I am not living in 1950s India).

When Lakshmi and Samir slept together I was thinking to myself “why?”... I found that a strange reaction to the stress she was dealing with. I guess to signal that everything was going to now fall apart? I guess to be the turning point in their partnership?

Also when Radha is undermining Kanta I was annoyed - that said, perhaps that just speaks to how well written the book is! A 13-year old probably would *not* be thoughtful and mature in that situation... even if it made me dislike the character.