Such a Long Journey

Set in Bombay in 1971, as India prepares for a war with Pakistan over what becomes Bangladesh, it tells the story of the family of Gustad Noble. Noble is a hard working bank clerk and devoted family man.
The book touches on many themes, political corruption, long term friendships, loss of loved ones, alternative medicine, and the mentally ill. It is a well woven story, but as a first novel, perhaps does not go deep enough into some themes, and includes a few too many.
The characters are likeable, the story unfolds well enough, but it perhaps didn't draw me in as much as I might have expected.
Mistry's second and third novels receive high praise, and for that reason I opted to read this book first. Hard to go back to earlier writing without a level of disappointment, so I look forward to those in due course.
Three and a half stars, rounded up.

This was a beautifully written book highlighting journeys both physical and emotional. I liked the interactions between Gustad and his friends and family, as even when things were rough, I knew that Gustad cared. I also liked the ways political and religious news affected Gustad and his neighbors.