Honor

Honor

  • Downloads:1457
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-01-17 11:21:18
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Thrity Umrigar
  • ISBN:1665110937
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide。

Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back。 As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past。 While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales。 She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment。 But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her。

In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time。

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Reviews

Betty

This book grabbed me from the very beginning。 The writing is superb, the story heartbreaking and haunting。 If you loved Khalid Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, then you must read this book。A powerful quote from it:"Everywhere she went, it seemed, it was open season on women。 Rape, female genital mutilation, bride burnings, domestic abuse - everywhere, in every country, women were abused, isolated, silenced, imprisoned, controlled, punished, and killed。 Sometimes, it seemed to Smita that th This book grabbed me from the very beginning。 The writing is superb, the story heartbreaking and haunting。 If you loved Khalid Hosseini’s “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, then you must read this book。A powerful quote from it:"Everywhere she went, it seemed, it was open season on women。 Rape, female genital mutilation, bride burnings, domestic abuse - everywhere, in every country, women were abused, isolated, silenced, imprisoned, controlled, punished, and killed。 Sometimes, it seemed to Smita that the history of the world was written in female blood。"Smita, a young American Indian journalist, returns to India to cover a story about the murder and attempted murder of a couple in a village in a rural part of India。 Abdul, a Muslim, and Meena, a Hindu, dared to fall in love and marry。 Meena’s family has been dishonored and must pay。 Her brothers kill Abdul and try to kill Meena。 But Meena and their daughter survive。Smita is plagued with the memories of the night her family fled India with no intention to ever return。 While she has very negative views of India, her driver Mohan gracefully listens to her and expresses his love for and pride in his home country。 Together, they confront the brutality against Abdul and Meena and the corrupt leadership that allows it to happen。 Smita and Mohan both will have their views of India challenged。This is a story of love, hope, cultural and religious clashes, sacrifice, and promises kept。 The bravery of Meena, the callousness of Ammi (Meena’s mother-in-law) and the kind heart of Mohan will linger with me for some time。 I highly recommend this phenomenal book。 。。。more

Ashley at Reading Themes

This heartbreaking story was beautifully written。

Angie

5/5 stars If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would。This book is powerful, and sad and beautiful。 It is perfect in every way a book can be perfect。 My heart actually hurts right now。

Julie

Just wow! Amazing!

Varsha Ravi

Everyone read this book

Elena Calistru

Un roman foarte bun, dur pe alocuri, o surpriză și o autoare abia descoperită via Clubul de carte al lui Reese。 O poveste despre India cu multe dintre temele fascinante și oripilante, cu personaje interesante și un final numai bun pentru o duminică seară。

Diane Luzar

Interesting story of India where Muslim and Hindu live side by side but within tumultuous times。 I learned a lot about their hatred of each other which caused much sorrow。 So many sad things happened because of these feelings。 Court officials, police being bought off by bad people, families torn apart。 There also is hope in the story about survival and moving forward。 The writing was superb and easy to read。

Karen

4 stars。 The book title resonates in so many ways。 The horrific barbaric practice of restoring honor (I thought I would commit) to a Hindu family when the love between Meena and Abdul, a Muslim leads to unspeakable violence and horror 。 Honor, the name of the child born to Meena and Abdul; honor in thwarted justice in India’s court system; honorable men and women…。

Laura

This book is incredible - this early in 2022, I’m already claiming it as one of my favourite reads of the year。 It’s intense, heartbreaking, compelling, emotional, and beautiful all at once, and I couldn’t put it down。

Angela Haygood

I am a fan of this authors style of writing。 He stories are all well written and deeply woven stories IMO。 In the middle I got a little lost going between Meena telling her story and Smita telling her story。 But that could likely just be me and reading while at bedtime。 Good story and I love reading about other countries and the difficulties that are often faced especially by women。

Leena

Wow! Extraordinarily well written and crafted book dealing with some very powerful social and cultural issues that have plagued India。 I couldn’t stop reading it and finished it in a weekend, with the last few pages leaving me in tears。 This book will take you on a ride of emotions with a fictional story that, unfortunately could be stripped from news headlines。 If anything, this book should help us appreciate the freedoms we may take for granted。

Melanie

I started digging around to learn more about the most anticipated book releases in 2022, and I saw this pink cover with mangoes repeatedly pop up。 Moreover, after hearing resounding acclaim on a book podcast I listen to (Sarah's Bookshelves Live), I was prompted to request this one from the library。 It did not disappoint。The narrative focuses on Smita, an Indian American journalist summoned (from a vacation in Maldives, no less) to cover her injured friend's assignment in India。 The assignment s I started digging around to learn more about the most anticipated book releases in 2022, and I saw this pink cover with mangoes repeatedly pop up。 Moreover, after hearing resounding acclaim on a book podcast I listen to (Sarah's Bookshelves Live), I was prompted to request this one from the library。 It did not disappoint。The narrative focuses on Smita, an Indian American journalist summoned (from a vacation in Maldives, no less) to cover her injured friend's assignment in India。 The assignment she's covering focuses on a disfigured woman's attempt to get justice following the murder of her husband and her own disfigurement。 As Smita grows more attached to Meena's story, readers also eventually find out that she's harboring a secret of her own。 The writer interrogates the concept of honor and dives into both the beauty and horrors that exist in the remote corners of India。 While the ending felt a bit "American fairytale" for me and I did not need the inclusion of the romantic element, it was also sort of a sweet and appreciated reprieve from the darkness and horror that permeated many of the earlier pages。 Despite having written numerous novels, Thrity Umrigar was not on my radar until I learned about this book, but I thoroughly enjoyed Honor and suspect that because Reese Witherspoon is featuring the book this month, many more people will get to appreciate this thoughtfully crafted story。 。。。more

Molly

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 "。。。A woman can live in one of two houses, fear or love。 It is impossible to live in both at the same time" Meena is a young Indian woman from a small village who makes the mistake of falling in love with a muslim man。 These poor young lovers pay the ultimate price for their love, and it is to be documented by Smita, an American Indian Journalist。 Smita may be Indian American, but she has an unknown distrust and borderline hatred for India that she must come to terms with during her stay。 This b "。。。A woman can live in one of two houses, fear or love。 It is impossible to live in both at the same time" Meena is a young Indian woman from a small village who makes the mistake of falling in love with a muslim man。 These poor young lovers pay the ultimate price for their love, and it is to be documented by Smita, an American Indian Journalist。 Smita may be Indian American, but she has an unknown distrust and borderline hatred for India that she must come to terms with during her stay。 This book is unlike anything I've read, causing you to come to terms with your own privilage and what you would be willing to risk for love。 It is a beatiful tale of love and female rights。 Umrigar writes beatifully in such a way that causes the mind to turn inward and reflect。 However, I feel as though Umrigar gives up these values at the end of the story。 Smita must decide if she wants to stay in India with Mohan, the man who she has come to love, and raise Meena's child with him。 While I love the fact that Smita became attached to Mohan and the child, Smita constantly talks of her love for her job and her home in America。 She spends a full chapter in the airport trying to figure out what she wants more, her career or a more domestic life。 Mohan does make a point to say he would be willing to move to America but she barely considers it。 So Umigar sets up this beatiful narrative of staying true to yourself and what you belive in, and then lets Smita give up her life for a man she has known for about two months。 The airport scene does however, a beautiful job of symbolising the above quote, and I understand that Smita has come to maybe love India MORE than her job and American home。 It just seems a bit agains the earlier theme of the book。 This is my first book by Umigar and I am looking forward to the next。 。。。more

Leah

I recommend this one! This genre is my fave so I had high hopes especially after reading reviews。 It didn't disappoint。 I recommend this one! This genre is my fave so I had high hopes especially after reading reviews。 It didn't disappoint。 。。。more

Lauren O'Driscoll

beautiful This story had me hanging on with every word。 It makes you realize that home is only where the heart is。 So grateful to have found it and Thrity Umrigars writing。

Cheri

A heartbreaking story of two Indian women。 Go into it without reading the synopsis, as it doesn’t do the story justifiée, and gives away a plot point that comes very late in the book。 Beautifully written。

Lisa Yikiel

Outstanding book written so beautifully about painful,tragic events that occurred in India。 Made me more aware how how divisive a world we are。 Man against man。 Found it difficult to read,but unable to put down。 Umrigar does it again with her exquisite,descriptive writing。 Honor was an honor to read。5+ stars for me!

Abha

Beautifully written book by Thrity Umrigar。 A book about love, choices and sacrifice。 It was a struggle at times。 Meena's story is brutal, and there was no relief。 The extreme hate through religion (and race) has always been around in human history。 We see this hate daily in current news。 The author leaves no detail unwritten when describing the hate。 There is so much to say about Smita, Mohan and the other characters。 I'm still processing。。。book will stay with me for a while。 Beautifully written book by Thrity Umrigar。 A book about love, choices and sacrifice。 It was a struggle at times。 Meena's story is brutal, and there was no relief。 The extreme hate through religion (and race) has always been around in human history。 We see this hate daily in current news。 The author leaves no detail unwritten when describing the hate。 There is so much to say about Smita, Mohan and the other characters。 I'm still processing。。。book will stay with me for a while。 。。。more

Lacy

An incredible book about what it means to be a woman, what honor means, and what love can give。 It’s just a beautiful story。 Tragic and infuriating。 But,Oh so beautiful。

Leisa Cleveland

Just incredible。 A soul stirring look at the best and worst of humanity, our value systems, the definition of home and what honor truly means。 Beautifully written。 Riveting。 Have the tissues ready。 This one goes deep。

Andrea Ca

A few words to describe this book are captivating, shocking and compelling。 Book one intrigued me to find out more about the characters。 It is interesting reading about the cultural differences。 Book 2 is when stuff starts getting good。 Book 3 had me shocked! Get ready to be emotional。 By the time I got to book 4, I could not stop listening to my audio book。 I had to finish it right away。 I did not expect the ending。 This book has a lot of layers。 I laughed, teared up, cringed and etc。 It was be A few words to describe this book are captivating, shocking and compelling。 Book one intrigued me to find out more about the characters。 It is interesting reading about the cultural differences。 Book 2 is when stuff starts getting good。 Book 3 had me shocked! Get ready to be emotional。 By the time I got to book 4, I could not stop listening to my audio book。 I had to finish it right away。 I did not expect the ending。 This book has a lot of layers。 I laughed, teared up, cringed and etc。 It was beautifully written/narrated。 I did debate about reading the book version versus the audiobook, but I think the audio book made me connect to the story more。 I picked this book thanks to RBC。 Great pick to start of the year。 。。。more

Chloe

I did not finish Honor。 I a, anout %50 done。

Missy

4。5 stars

Margaret

Read in a day。 4。5。 Really absorbing story

Critter

I feel like I am in the minority here with how I felt about Honor。 The prose is fantastic, and this book drew me in at the beginning。 It tackles very important and heavy themes。 However, I think the slow pacing is what got me。 I do not hide that slow pacing can hinder my reading experience sometimes and this is one of those times。 The themes also felt a bit shallow at times to me。 This is one that I think many people will love, and it was just me rather than the book。 I would still highly recomm I feel like I am in the minority here with how I felt about Honor。 The prose is fantastic, and this book drew me in at the beginning。 It tackles very important and heavy themes。 However, I think the slow pacing is what got me。 I do not hide that slow pacing can hinder my reading experience sometimes and this is one of those times。 The themes also felt a bit shallow at times to me。 This is one that I think many people will love, and it was just me rather than the book。 I would still highly recommend this book to people, who may have slightly different tastes to me。 I would like to thank Algonquin Books for providing me with an ARC。 。。。more

Staci Tharp

This was a terrible and beautiful story, and at moments I felt a terror of the future we here may face if we stay on the path we’ve chosen。

Lindsey Gandhi

I see this book being one of my top reads for this year。 A beautifully written story that is incredibly moving, powerful, heart breaking and thought provoking。 This book will stay with me for a long time。 I highly recommend this read。

Cathy Quattrini

I found the main story about Meena and the honor killings involving her to be very compelling。 I also appreciated the cultural information provided by the author while telling the main character's story。 On the other hand, although it was an interesting juxtaposition telling the back story of Smita, the Indian American journalist who covers Meena's story, I had difficulty with her character and her actions。 I did not find the romantic subplot involving her to be believable。 It was hard for me to I found the main story about Meena and the honor killings involving her to be very compelling。 I also appreciated the cultural information provided by the author while telling the main character's story。 On the other hand, although it was an interesting juxtaposition telling the back story of Smita, the Indian American journalist who covers Meena's story, I had difficulty with her character and her actions。 I did not find the romantic subplot involving her to be believable。 It was hard for me to rate this book-4 stars for Meena's story, 3 stars for Smita's。 。。。more

Trisha

The book covers a lot of important topics, yet so easy to read。 I couldn’t put it down。

Nanci LaGarenne

Thrity Umrigar is one of my favorite writers。 Having read all her other novels, I anxiously awaited this new one。 It's beautiful, maddening, heart wrenching, topical and Thrity has done it again, captured our hearts。 Made us think and want to be better。 Hope for the light to come after the darkness。 If you don't know her books yet, how lucky you are to get to read them all! Thrity Umrigar is one of my favorite writers。 Having read all her other novels, I anxiously awaited this new one。 It's beautiful, maddening, heart wrenching, topical and Thrity has done it again, captured our hearts。 Made us think and want to be better。 Hope for the light to come after the darkness。 If you don't know her books yet, how lucky you are to get to read them all! 。。。more