A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry

A Fine Balance was published in 1995, and written by Rohinton Mistry. It is set in the 1970s in Mumbai, India, and its environs. A Fine Balance tells the story of four different characters, who each come from different class backgrounds. Their stories intertwine into a tale of hurt, pain, turmoil and sadness that reflects upon the cruelty of human beings.
There are several reasons why I recommend that you read this book. Rohinton Mistry is a fantastic writer, who knows how to tell a story as gracefully or as painfully as possible. His different styles of writing contribute to the mood of the tale in an incredible way. As well, A Fine Balance tells the story of the difficulties that come from interacting with people from a different class. It is a great insight into society.
There are, however, reasons that I would not recommend the book to certain readers. There is a large amount of depressing material in the novel, so anyone who cannot stand to read about cruelty would find this very difficult. Also, this novel talks a lot about the politics of India, and the way government works to influence a population. Anyone who does not like learning about government should not read this work.
If I made a movie from the book, A Fine Balance, I would make sure to have a very distinct opening scene, because I think it would set the table for the rest of the movie. The camera would fade in on the Taj Mahal, at dawn, during all of its beauty and splendor. With pink skies behind it, there is nothing to say this is not the most beautiful place in the world. Soon however, the camera would pan over, and we would see the slums of Agra. In the background, you would hear a violent, hacking cough, as the camera showed the squalor and dirt of the "other" India.
Although this novel is a fairly hefty read, at over 700 pages, I would definitely recommend it. There is no better window into the cruelty of our world.