The Assassin's Song Audiobook

" I just was not digging this book at all. I got 3 or 4 chapters in and that was all I could handle. I found the writing was very pretty but the story it self was just so dull (if that makes sense) usually by chapter 3 or 4 you'd expect to be starting to get a feel for the characters in the book but I found I hardly knew anything about the characters, and I certainly didn't care about any of them. I don't know maybe if I would have kept reading but I didn't like the authors style of writing it was just to poetic for me sort of like "Life of Pi" where everything has to have some hidden meaning. I'm not sure if that makes sense but anyway this was just not my cup of tea, it defiantly wasn't the kind of book I'd normally buy I got it from my mother in law and thought I'd give it a try. "

" The beginning of this book was difficult, but after the first 100 pages it became much more understandable and easy. While I had mixed feelings about this book, it was the basis for one of the best books discussion my reading group has ever had. The author perhaps tried to cover too much, but the questions he raised were thought provoking. "

" difficult at times but he sure writes well. definitely worth reading if India is of interest. "

" A slow moving story. But will keep you tied up. "

" Fine fictional autobiography of an Indian man's journey from poverty to affluence, from east to west, from religious apathy to belief, maybe. Somewhat of a history lesson thrown in. Worthy of a read. "

" M.G. Vassanji is a wonderful story teller and it is no surprise that he has previously won two Gillers. The story of Karsan Dargawalla unravels as Vassanji takes you back and forth from the present to events of many years ago, but mostly at the time of the Partition. Karsan is next in line to assume the lordship of a shrine to the ancient Muslim mystic, Nur Fazal. This shrine came to be visited by both Muslims and Hindus, Christians and Sikhs, and many of no affiliation. The Sufi, Nur Fazal, aspired to the concept of Brahman, the Universal Soul that encompasses everything. Karsan, however, aspires to be 'normal' and live in the real world. This conflict adds much to the story, and one can empathize with Karsan throughout. "

" This book is the story of the son of a temple keeper in 1960s India. There is a wonderful sense of village life, ancient Sufi traditions, and the conflicts of war with China and Pakistan. "

" I get the literary merit. The story was a bore, however, done a million times before: son rejects father and father's ways, runs away to start new life, prodigal son returns. "

" Great book. A little glimpse into a world of a different culture. "

" The book provided a glimpse into the Hindi religion and India's history. "

" Another amazing exploration of identity and loneliness by this marvel of a writer. It starts slowly but then it soars. "

" I probably would have liked this book a lot more if I'd known there was a glossary in the back and if I knew a little more about Indian, Pakistani, Hindu, and/or Muslim history... I was kind of lost most of the time. Still, it was interesting and I learned a lot. "

" I really enjoyed "The In-Between World of Vikram Lall" so I was looking forward to this. But, I just couldn't get into this one. "

" Very dry, had a hard time finishing it. "

" This is another great read from MG Vassanji, although I think his "The In-Between World of Vikram Lall" was more riveting. This is a good story for reflection on fate versus freedom of experience. By going away, you get to come home and find yourself. "

" Not an easy read, but definitely interesting. A haunting story. "

" Quietly and sensitively written, but the evocative first half is let down by the more matter-of-fact second. Besides, apart from the usual liberal pieties, there's unfortunately nothing new on offer. It's as though the effort to be topical drains the imagination, alas. "

" Looked promising, and started out interesting enough, but I quickly lost patience with the author's overblown prose style and oh-so-obvious plot telegraphy. Finished the requisite 100 pages (my standard), and it only got less interesting after that. Forget it. "

" There was nothing identifiably bad about this book, but after 75 pages neither the story nor the characters had captured my interest, so I bailed out. Narrated by the heir of a traditional spiritual leader in India, it was, I guess, a story of Hindu-Muslim conflict. "

" I didn't actually finish reading this book. (it was due back at the library today & there are 95 people in line waiting for it) I probably would have finished it if I could have renewed it, but I wasn't enjoying it so much that I was willing to pay library fines for it. "

" Pretty good. Got some insights about India. "

" Very dry, had a hard time finishing it. "

" The book provided a glimpse into the Hindi religion and India's history. "

" Another book that combines the mystical and the ordinary. It is about the life of an Indian boy who is the next Avatar of a great Indian saint. Perfectly captures the struggles of ancient versus modern Indian in the coming of age story of a man searching for a faith that can carry him through "

" I probably would have liked this book a lot more if I'd known there was a glossary in the back and if I knew a little more about Indian, Pakistani, Hindu, and/or Muslim history... I was kind of lost most of the time. Still, it was interesting and I learned a lot. "

" This book is the story of the son of a temple keeper in 1960s India. There is a wonderful sense of village life, ancient Sufi traditions, and the conflicts of war with China and Pakistan. "