Nectar in a Sieve (Signet Classics) by Kamala Markandaya Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Nectar in a Sieve (Signet Classics)
Book Review: A Fatalistic Novel
Summary: 4 Stars
It is the time of World War II, and India has just begun to modernize. Rukmani is a poor woman, forced to marry her devoted husband, Nathan, from a lower caste. Through Rukmani's eyes, we see five children grow up in a more or less poverty-striken Indian village. Through drought, monsoons, prostitution, and ultimately, famine, Rukmani shows us all what dignity is. Not only dignity prevails throughout her life, but strength - a strength which comes with much compromise and hardship.
-Michael YangBook Review: Basically, a good book
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a wonderfully written book with many excellent plotlines. The book is very confusing and slow in the beginning. It starts to pick up and gets much better towards the end.Book Review: Nectar in a Sieve is meant to uplift, but disturbs also
Summary: 4 Stars
We are reading Nectar in a Sieve as part of a year's project to delve into Indian literature and life. I am co-leader of our review of this book. Both I and my friend found the book unnecessarily depressing, with its depiction of abject poverty and starvation. The narrator's uplifting attitude toward life is a little hard to believe. A reviewer in another site said this all has to do with the Indian attitude toward Karma, a sort of "what will be, will be." I'm also intrigued by one of your reviewer's comments that the book was written during World War II. I would have put it considerably earlier, but the writer does not really tell us. There are few clues as to exact dates, which leaves again the impression that the book goes beyond storytelling to greater universality.Book Review: Poignant story of a womann's life in India
Summary: 5 Stars
Kamla Markandaya's novel is very well written but unnecessarly depressing. However in a way the depressing events add to the power of this book. After putting this book down (it does not have a conclusive conclusion) one wonders about how much more the main character will have to suffer before her death. A interesting, short read.Book Review: The reality of life in India is portrayed upfront and honest
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a novel that many of us "westerners" may struggle with in terms of seeing the reality of it all. Rukmani and her family's struggles seem to be surreal to us because we cannot fathom that such trials and tribulations are continuously dealt to people. Furthermore, it is beyond our comprehension that people can and do survive in such instances. To me, this book has served as a tool to open the eyes of my sheltered students who prosper in a world where want and need are not a true part of their lives. Anyone who has been to India knows that the reality of this novel rings true to every word printed! Rukmani can be viewed as a woman who knows nothing but servitude or as the woman she really is- one full of strength, love, pride and devotion.