Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry lands on the shelves of my shop.
Faber & Faber, 2002, Hardback in dust wrapper.
From the cover: Family Matters is Rohinton Mistrys eagerly anticipated third novel, following the success of his highly acclaimed A Fine Balance (1995), which won several major literary awards internationally.
This new novel takes us to Bombay in the mid-1990s. Nariman Vakeel is a 79-year-old Parsi widower and the patriarch of a small discordant family. Beset by Parkinsons disease and haunted by memories of the past, he lives in a once-elegant apartment with his two middle-aged stepchildren Coomy, bitter and domineering, and her brother, Jal, mild-mannered and acquiescent. When Narimans illness is compounded by a broken ankle, Coomy plots to turn his round-the-clock care over to Roxana, her sweet-tempered sister. She succeeds, but not without cost, and eventually Nariman takes up residence with Roxana, her husband, Yezad, and their two young sons. The effect of the new responsibility on Yezad, who is already besieged by financial worries, pushes him into a scheme of deception involving Vikram Kapur, his eccentric, often exasperating employer at Bombay Sporting Goods Emporium. This sets in motion a series of events a great unravelling and a revelation of the familys love-torn past that leads to the narratives final outcome.
In this wise and compassionate novel, Mistry has once again created a beautifully realized world. As his unforgettable characters confront situations over which they have no control, their tragedies and their triumphs ultimately become our own.
Family Matters has all the richness, the gentle humour, and the narrative sweep that have earned Rohinton Mistry the highest of accolades around the world. It is a stunning achievement from one of the finest writers of our time.
Very Good+ in Very Good+ Dust Wrapper.
Blue boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 487 pages. 9½” x 6¼”.
Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
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