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Dark,
Epic,
Beautiful

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The Inheritance of Loss

by Kiran Desai

Published: 2006-08-29
Paperback : 384 pages

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23 clubs reading this now
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Introduction

In a crumbling, isolated house at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas lives an embittered judge who wants only to retire in peace, when his orphaned granddaughter, Sai, arrives on his doorstep. The judge’s cook watches over her distractedly, for his thoughts are often on his son, Biju, who is hopscotching from one gritty New York restaurant to another. Kiran Desai’s brilliant novel, published to huge acclaim, is a story of joy and despair. Her characters face numerous choices that majestically illuminate the consequences of colonialism as it collides with the modern world.

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Member Reviews

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by Nash N. (see profile) 12/10/18

"Never got into this..."by diane c. (see profile) 05/21/10

There were a lot of beautiful descriptions in this book and in some places the writing was lyrical, but overall it was tedious. Most of our book club members never finished the book. I stuck with it... (read more)

"The plot follows a group of people in the northeastern Himalayas where an insurgency completely changes their lives."by Marianne S. (see profile) 12/11/08

Excellent book that has a very broad scope, bringing to life this particular time in India for all of the myriad groups affected. The writing in incredibly beautiful and the subject matter dark, since... (read more)

"Nepalese uprising in West Bengal in 1980s backdrop for love story"by Katharine P. (see profile) 03/19/08

Nine members of the book club did not finish the book. Great disappointment in the choice. Three finished it and found it interesting. People couldn't get past the long descriptions, the tangential characters,... (read more)

"beautiful description, very difficult to read"by Mary Lou Z. (see profile) 04/16/07

A tale of India and the United States. Very difficult to read and follow. Interesting characters but story twists and turns too much. Would not recomment for book clubs.

"The diverse members of our book club agreed that this was a well written book and worthy of discussion. We are an international group of Egyptians, Americans, British, Austrian, German, Dutch, Anglo-"by Weslee M. (see profile) 02/21/07

Well written book discussing the post-colonial experience and the immigrant experience. It is done with humor and compassion. There is not much "action" but there are brilliant descriptions of the personal... (read more)

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