Published by Algonquin Books Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Format: ARC, eBook
Beautifully written, Honor is a powerful and moving book about love, sacrifice, and loss.
Indian American journalist, Smita has returned to India, believing she has been called there to take care of her friend and fellow journalist, Shannon. Upon visiting her friend in the hospital, she learns she has been called there to cover the case of Meena – a Hindu woman who has been ostracized and later attacked by both members of her village and her own brothers for marrying a Muslim man. It is a gut wrenching and heartbreaking case.
Smita is instantly reminded about how good she has it in America. India was once her home. She and her family left India when she was fourteen-years old to move to the United States. How will she feel about being back?
Tradition. What happens when you go against it?
Honor. What does it mean to you? What does it mean to others?
While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita comes up against misogamy, tradition, and where morally reprehensible acts are allowed to happen. As Smita begins to feel an attraction to Mohan, her driver and translator, she begins to realize what freedoms she has vs. the lack of freedom Meena has. The lack of freedom women in India and other cultures have.
Again, this was a beautifully written, thought provoking and moving novel. It touches on love, family, attraction, honor, tradition, hatred, sacrifice, betrayal, ignorance, bribery, and hope. This book made me appreciate the freedom and choices that I get to make in my own life. It also serves a looking glass into what life is like for women in other countries who do not have the same freedoms that I do. Where Honor killings are still the norm, where those in power turn a blind eye, and where women have no voice.
The descriptions in this book are vibrant and lush. As the author described the heat, the hostility, and the beauty – I could feel and imagine it all. I was moved by the story, saddened by the injustice of things, and felt hope for other things. Not always an easy book to read, but isn’t that the case of books that describe things as they are? That make us take a long hard look at injustice and the mistreatment of others.
I found myself highlining various beautiful passages and re-reading others. This was my first book by Thrity Umrigar and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Honor a MUST READ which I highly recommend.
Powerful. Moving. Riveting.
4.5 stars
Thank you to Algonquin Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.