Sujata Massey

This was the 4th in the series, of which I have read the other three and was looking forward to continuing the story of Perveen Mistry, the only female lawyer in Bombay in the 1920s.

I like Perveen, and author Sujata Massey expertly recreates 1920s India with its customs, culture, food, and other period details as well as Perveen’s personal struggles to practice law while being limited by the ingrained restrictions imposed by racism, sexism, and India’s caste system.

This novel focuses on the topic of birth control (or the lack of it) in Perveen’s city of Bombay and Massey has done a stellar amount of historical research, as usual. There is a mystery, a large cast of characters, and some questions as to who is guilty and who is innocent. Perveen is also going through personal turmoil as she navigates a taboo relationship with a handsome former civil service officer. And there is a glossary of terms (food, slang, greetings, etc.) to provide cultural accuracy and clarity.

So with all of this why did I only read 100 out of 414 pages? I hated to put down the book out of loyalty to Perveen and hoped it would get better, but felt like I was wasting my time. And honestly, I had trouble staying awake. It wasn’t the enjoyable read I expected after having read the first three books. Too many characters, a “preachy” topic of birth control, the plot dragged, and Perveen wasn’t the same clever assertive woman from the earlier books.

I will try number 5 when it comes out, hoping this was just a fluke. In the meantime, there are plenty of other books in my TBR pile!… (meer)