Resumo de A Fine Balance - Mistry; Rohinton

Political and social upheaval brings four Indian people from differing backgrounds together in this disturbing story. Corruption, oppression, and poverty are widespread in India during the 1960?s and 70?s. The caste system is failing and internal and external war has devastated many areas during this time of British withdrawal.

Dina?s father was a doctor who died fostering his humanitarian ideals. After her mother dies from bereavement she is left to be raised by a cruel, uncompromising brother. He denies his sister the education and better life she was destined to have. Her brother symbolizes a rigid authoritative society. Determined to live independently Dina sews for hire after her husband is killed in a bicycle accident. After her eyesight begins to fail, she hires two tailors who are from a small backward village. Dina also takes in a student boarder, the son of a former school mate.

The young student, Maneck who rents a room from the widow, comes from a formerly wealthy family who believes they can secure a better future for their son by sending him away to school. Instead of being grateful for this chance Maneck feels rejected and betrayed. He is never able to love or connect with his parents the same way again. Much of his time is spent in solitude feeling separated from those around him. Becoming part of the small group working and living at Dina?s apartment gives Maneck new purpose and hope.

The tailors hired to do piece work sewing for Dina are fleeing a tragic past. Ishvar is Omprakash?s uncle. Ishvar is responsible for his nephew and takes his duties very seriously. They hope to establish a better life in the big city. Unemployment during this time in India was a major problem. The rest of their family members were tortured and burned by a high caste individual?s bully boys while the tailors were away. The family was punished for rising above their caste and going against tradition. Om?s grandfather was born a tanner/leatherworker but sent his sons to learn how to be tailors. This pair suffers and survives the most unfair, cruel, tyrannical, horrendous trials. Barely a complaint is made. When they have no where to sleep Dina allows them to sleep on her verandah.

During the state of emergency declared by President Idira Ghandi in 1975, these four are thrown together for reasons of survival. As the group lives collectively they become part of each other. Depression and loneliness are forgotten. Cooking for each other, working together, and learning each others histories strengthens bonds until they become family. Ishvar decides it is time for Om to get a wife and Dina happily invites them all to live with her. During the trip to bring back a wife, revenge is visited upon Ishvar and Omprakesh in a shocking and terrible way. They are forcefully sterilized and Om is castrated.

Ishvar loses his legs to an infection due to the surgery. Since Om can no longer procreate and Ishvar cannot work they become beggars. Dina is thrown out of her flat and returns to her brother?s house. Maneck leaves the country, bereft of hope, to work in Arabia. When he returns for his father?s funeral and sees the atrocious state of his family and friends he kills himself by jumping in front of a train.

Absorbing, three dimensional characters garner the reader?s compassion and emotions. Misfortune plagues the likeable characters at every turn. Symbols of many government and social ills are defined by the cast. One character serves as a type of guru who spouts inimitable truths regarding the balance between hope and despair. This tale supports the Indian idea of fatalism. Fate cannot be diverted and things happen as they are supposed to. Another theme of the book is that power, money, and social stature corrupted the populace of India and many suffered.

A Fine Balance frankly describes sex and violence. This book should be read by mature adults only.

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