I listened to the audiobook version, and I think therein lies the reason I feel so uncertain about this book. The narrator did a fine job, I’m not complaining, but I sometimes have a harder time connecting to a story through an audiobook, and I think this is the kind of novel that benefits from actually reading as opposed to listening.

The journeys both main characters go on is difficult to put it very mildly – the hardships they endure are never-ending, and there is very little hope to be found here. I don’t mind that, especially considering that this story is unfortunately a very real one that occurs more often than we’d like to think about. I appreciate Rao’s unflinching ability to show these horrors in a realistic light, as I think it’d be a disservice to do anything else.

That being said, I really didn’t feel like I understood or cared about Poornima and Savitha the way they clearly seemed to care about each other. Poornima’s fascination with Savitha is one I can’t say I ever understood, nor is Savitha’s fond memories of and desire to create a sari for Poornima. Both characters see something in each other worth keeping hope alive, but as a reader, I can’t say I saw the same thing. As I mentioned earlier, this could be because I listened to the audiobook version, but I was still nonetheless hoping for more character from the both of them. Savitha’s preferred way to eat rice isn’t enough to keep Poornima’s interest in her through years of separation, and I’d have liked to see more character from the both of them to justify this long-term friendship and longing.

As you may have guessed, this book contains a plethora of content warnings, and is not light reading nor for the faint of heart. I’m glad I read it, but I’m also glad I was in the right state of mind to do so. I’d recommend reading it over listening to the audiobook, if you have the option.