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Literary Fiction· Canada

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry
Aggregate Editorial Score45/100
Oprah's Book Club
Published 1995719 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that A Fine Balance (1995) by Rohinton Mistry continues to receive. Four strangers—two tailors, a widow, and a student—come together in a Mumbai tenement during Indira Gandhi's 1975 State of Emergency. Mistry's devastating novel is one of the great novels about India, a testament to human endurance amid political terror and poverty. Themes of India, Emergency, poverty run through the work. The book has received recognition from Oprah's Book Club 1995.

Book Details

AuthorRohinton Mistry
Published1995
Country of Origin🇨🇦 Canada
LanguageEnglish
Pages719
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9781400030651
Editorial Score45/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇨🇦 Canada

This book is part of Canada's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1995 in Canada, it engages with India, Emergency, poverty, resilience in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed A Fine Balance among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Oprah's Book Club 1995. Our aggregate score of 45/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes A Fine Balance is how it handles its central concerns — India, Emergency, poverty, resilience — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. A Fine Balance reflects Rohinton Mistry's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with Canada's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Oprah's Book Club
list · national
199519
✍️
About the Author
Rohinton Mistry
Canada
View Author →

Rohinton Mistry is a celebrated author from Canada known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Fine Balance about?

Four strangers—two tailors, a widow, and a student—come together in a Mumbai tenement during Indira Gandhi's 1975 State of Emergency. Mistry's devastating novel is one of the great novels about India, a testament to human endurance amid political terror and poverty.

Who wrote A Fine Balance?

A Fine Balance was written by Rohinton Mistry, from Canada. First published in 1995.

What awards has A Fine Balance won?

A Fine Balance has received the following awards and honours: Oprah's Book Club 1995.

Is A Fine Balance worth reading?

A Fine Balance is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 19/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in India, Emergency, poverty.

Where can I buy A Fine Balance?

You can buy A Fine Balance on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Fine Balance?

A Fine Balance is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is A Fine Balance from?

A Fine Balance originates from Canada's literary tradition. Explore more books from Canada on our country page.

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