Molly Foust reviewed Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya
Review of 'Nectar in a Sieve' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This is a sort of like The Good Earth, only it is in India, from a woman's perspective and the earth isn't so good. At least, it is a horrid, capricious monster rather like The Good Earth- and if you were going to become a subsistence farmer in India before reading this book you might change your mind after this reading.
It is a tender, life- is- a- bitch- and- then- you- die- tale, with a warm love story and a heroine who is courageous and brave in a way that shames me, and would shame many westerners. Ultimately her story makes sense and she keeps her dignity despite the oppression and poverty that could make the story pitiable, were it not supported by a such a brave narrator.
