Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry

Family Matters

Rohinton Mistry

If you like to get your teeth into a book, this is a good long read, nearly 500 pages in hardback. Set in modern Bombay, it's the story of a family, and it's melancholy, gentle, sad, and resigned. The family is not Hindu or Muslim, but Parsi, and there are fascinating glimpses into this lesser-known faith.

Extract
It reminds me of the time long ago when Grandpa came to live with us in Pleasant Villa. And how my world suddenly became a much bigger place, much more complicated, and painful. I think of Grandpa sleeping on the settee beside me, holding my hand to comfort me. And later, me holding his hand when he had bad dreams. I think of the violin music we enjoyed. And the words he taught me, the stories he told, to describe and understand the world.








Parallels
  • Cinnamon Gardens by Shyam Selvadurai
  • A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
  • King Lear by William Shakespeare