Funny. In fact, it was often very funny. The book recounts the life (told in retrospect) of Freddy Junglewalla, the patriarch of a Parsi family in Pakistan from the early 20th century up to independence. It begins with the migration of a young (and very ambitious) Freddy from the country to the city of Lahore. Freddy, of course, is accompanied by his pregnant wife and his simultaneously hilarious and infuriating mother-in-law. The focus of the story, in many ways, is the relationship between Freddy and his mother-in-law, as he arrives penniless and becomes a successful, wealthy merchant. ( )

I really enjoyed this story, once the characters - Faredoon 'Freddy' Junglewalla, a young Parsi businessman living in India at the turn of the twentieth century, and his extended family - were established. More like a series of comedic vignettes than a family saga, The Crow Eaters is slightly Wodehousian in its humour, but also reminded me of the sense of family and local community in Jane Austen's novels. Great fun. ( )

I Parsi, una minoranza sparsa in alcune province dell'India, sono da secoli abituati a vagare esuli, tra ostilità e diffidenza e perciò sanno adattarsi alle situazioni per sopravvivere. Ma Faredoon, detto Freddy, vuole costruirsi un destino migliore. Lascia il villaggio natale e si trasferisce con la famiglia a Lahore, deciso a sfruttare il proprio talento di simulatore, furbo, imbroglione ma sostanzialmente innocuo. Un romanzo divertente, ricco di humour. ( )

According to the Spectator, 'An excellent novel one can wholeheartedly enjoy rather than respectfully admire.' I think that sums things up quite neatly. ( )

Humorous at many levels, this book is written in pseudo-colonial elegant prose taking on the airs of the diplomatic service, which makes its romps into the day to day life of an Indian merchant trying to grow a business in the midst of British rule, an over-the-top caricature of a mother in law that will amaze even the most experienced reader, and various sons and daughters and relatives. Freddy Junglewalla is a Parsi whose early challenges with his mother in law are fairly black but unexpectedly pave the way toward a future of mostly fortune, mostly peace, and some small amount of fame. While Freddy is a bit laconic, his daughter in law, mother in law, rebelled son, and plot twists make up for Freddy's quiet approach as he ages. A tightly packed story full of humor and some disturbing thoughts and actions, wonderfully written and kept just to the right length. ( )