Just Great and Well Narrated

This is not the type of thing I usually listen to and at over 20 hours I wondered how this book got into my library. However, I gave it a chance and it drew me in with its warmth and its depiction of callous corruption and cruelty.

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A fantastic story covering a very important period

A well written story, characters full and rich. An epic! covering the Partition of India

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Brilliant audio adaptation of this book

The narration was just fabulous. One of my favourite books brought to life superbly by the narrator.

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A book that transports you

A wonderfully performed moving story of a reality, a country and a place in time both currantly unfolding and long gone. I leant so much and was so touched by the characters. This is an excellent audiobook to which i lookwd forward to return to until it finished.

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Engrossing listen

I loved this book. The stories told by each character shone a light on life in India. Their stories are told with tenderness and even some humour in spite of the devastating outcomes.

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Outstanding!

I won’t forget this book! Utterly absorbing and shocking. Beautifully written.
Best narration I’ve ever heard.
I can’t recommend this book enough.

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Wonderful story telling

Story telling at its best, epic in scale, historic detail and characters you really care about. I didn't want it to end. One of the best books ever.

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A roller coaster read.

This book is quite a listen! First off, the narration is superb. Vikas Adam has a clear voice for each character and he paces the unfolding story wonderfully.
As for the story itself, it is an emotional roller coaster of a listen. At times laugh out loud funny - with sometimes a wince at the same time, like when the huge picture of Mrs Ghandi finally fell over, which was hilarious, but the next sentence talked of people being stretchered off.... But after the laughter comes tragedy, often jaw dropping tragedy. I was listening to this as Covid 19 was gathering pace. This virus is just dreadful for us Western Countries, but for countries like India?? Where the poor really are the bottom of the pit and at the pitiless mercy of the wealthy - or higher castes.
That apart, the other thing that has struck me about the book is how well each character is drawn. Too often characters are goodies or baddies. Here, with one notable exception, everyone has both good sides and bad sides. The book is full of humanity, usually at its best. This book has really stuck with me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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A heart wrenching story told to perfection!

In over 10 years of listening to audiobooks, I have not been so affected!
One needs to be prepared for the brutal misery involved in this story.
It is though, a must listen and a brilliant work.
The narration by Vikas Adam was absolutely flawless. If only more books could be handled with such care and perfection.
This was completely and utterly First Class!

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Perfect Narration of an Almost Perfect Novel

This is one of those books that will leave you bereft when you've finished. The characters are so vividly drawn that they become part of your daily life whilst you are in their story and their departure leaves a real hole. The only reason I have referred to A Fine Balance as 'almost' perfect is as an acknowledgement to the sadness and corruption that unfolds within its pages. It's fairly harrowing at times, comedic at others and heartwarming throughout. The story of the four main protagonists, set against the backdrop of India during the 'troubles' is one I will never forget. This is one of those books that I will return to and I know will stay with me for life - certainly in my top five.

I have to give full credit to the narrator, Vikas Adam, who did an extraordinary job of reading this. The best audiobook I have ever listened to due to the perfect combination of literary brilliance and narrative perfection.

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