Honor Thirty Umrigar, Retired Vice President of the United States Army

Feedback: All about relationships and making choices. What is life if not our relationships and love for one another- working and connecting

United States on Nov 14, 2023

Amazon Customer: There is so much pain in this book yet, hope. The main character has a long journey to find her happiness after experiencing so many terrible events of inhumanity to the person she is asked to report about.

United States on Oct 21, 2023

Sarah: Not my typical read but I wanted to commit to a book club pick this year. I’m glad I persevered because Book 3 onwards really got me turning the pages. Definitely a confronting read but by the end I was really rooting for Smita and Mohan.

I’m glad I took a chance on this book.

Australia on Oct 10, 2023

Andrea: I had this book on my shelf for a long time, and was initially a little bit hesitant to read it, because I was worried it would feel too heavy. I was surprised once I started how enjoyable the book was, I really wanted to keep going.

I think the story is set up very well, it kind of gives the viewpoint of what some of the issues women in India face when I looked at from a western viewpoint, well also sharing inside looks at the beauty of the country.

The book looks deeply at women, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic power. But it does this all in a very human way. I was removed by the story, and the levels of incited gave.

I do feel some things with the ending were a bit rushed. But that did not take away from the overall book.

United States on Sep 08, 2023

Cecily Meador: The very first page of this book will leave you breathless. Once I was done read that first page, I knew this book would stay with me forever.

I do not know what to say other than we Americans think we have it bad with the things that are going on in our world today….

But we fail to realize what is going on in other countries, that is far worse than what we Americans go through.

No amount of words can describe how much we all need to read this book.

All I can tell you is this book is very powerful and moving.

United States on Sep 07, 2023

Christel Haddon: A beautiful book about a our prejudices and lack of tolerance as well as love kindness and family.
We have so much to learn about each other. Love is an amazing healer.
Highly recommended

Australia on Jul 01, 2023

Melissa Menon: Very interesting story. I loved it. It was perfect

Canada on Jun 29, 2023

Catherine Robinson: I gave it 5 stars because of the writing style. It was an eye opener to the horrors and the beauty of India. A book not for the faint of heart but very well-written!

Canada on Apr 07, 2023

Anthony Conty: “Honor” by Thrity Umrigar exposes a side of India we rarely see. A woman loses her husband to arson after their interfaith marriage, and a reporter who left India voluntarily must return to her homeland to cover the story. Smita, the reporter, returns to India after her family left when she was a teen and remembers why they left. But, unfortunately, the cultural traditions could stifle someone who has left the Western way.

One must consider many cultures to understand how Western and Eastern styles conflict. Sure, some Indian ways seem backward, but the way of life works for them. Many could not imagine living somewhere else. Knowing that a decision like marrying outside of your religion could cause an incident that could cause unrest among those who are not technically involved makes you uneasy.

India holds traditions dear, but, as the author says, “…traditions are like eggs-once you break one, it is impossible to put it back inside the shell.” Smita is glad to be away from it, but Meena lost her husband to those that disagreed with her decision. In addition, both Islam and Hinduism have rigorous gender role expectations, and Smita experiences culture...

United States on Apr 04, 2023

sparklehorse: But lacking some drive. There are all the serious issues that women face worldwide but some of these are unique to India’s culture and obsession with preserving their honour. The only thing I would say is this book doesn’t really do the subject matter the justice that it should. Too casual in its observance of some abhorrent crimes to women and too flippant in the reaction of those who might be affected.

United Kingdom on Jun 21, 2022