One Amazing Thing

I was disappointed in this book, especially because on the back cover the author is touted as a Professor of Creative Writing. For that reason alone, I was expecting much more than the book delivered. The basic idea of the book was creative,and had a lot of potential, but the overall effect of the story was not outstanding. Furthermore, expecting more of an English teacher, I was distracted a bit by the style of writing. Some of the sentences were just plain awkward and didn't flow well, therefore causing a distraction from the story; the sentences were not crisp and clear and therefore, I had to re-read some of them to decipher what she was trying to say.My biggest complaint about the book was that it was not presented in a believable manner. Yes, everyone was trapped in a building due to an earthquake. However,rather than obsessing about getting out, the characters were primarily concerned with telling and listening to stories. In a situation of life and death, the primary focus, I'm sure would be escaping. Period. There just didn't seem to be enough fear and focus on getting out. The surrender to the situation came way too easily for all involved, who unrealistically revealed the most intimate details of their lives in order to pass the time. Their willingness to share at such an early juncture in the disaster was not persuasively written. At all. In all likelihood, only if the characters were exuding the fear of being at death's door--- and desperate to escape the immense mental anguish that would result in being trapped way too long--- would they possibly be compelled to reveal such intimate disclosures.Also, the motivations of the characters were not strong enough. For example, Malathai sabotaged her desperately needed job in order to ruin the hair of a mean customer who genuinely liked her in order to avenge a so-so wrong on someone she barely knew. Another example: Bored, pampered Mrs. Pritchett attempts suicide after projecting an extraordinarily loving relationship on a senior citizen couple that she momentarily observes. That observation awakens in her a feeling that her loyal, hard working husband never loved her like she needed, even though she lived a pleasant life of luxury for many years with him.Overall, this book was a fast and easy read. It wasn't utterly captivating, but it moved along at a brisk enough pace and didn't take long to finish. It did not particularly educate, but it did entertain. I'd be willing to read other books by the author as she describes the culture of India well.

Read this for Book Club and really enjoyed the discussion about a group of people who appear to be trapped in a place and what happens next. Telling stories to pass the time and mentally leave the trapped space they share makes perfect sense to me. Would recommend this book! No spoilers here.

Chitra Divakaruni had me at "Mistress of Spices", and this is another big winner! A group of people are stranded in the basement of a San Francisco office building by an earthquake. An African-American war veteran with a heart as big as the world takes charge and the group follows his lead--especially after he renders a young Muslim college student unconscious when he tries to open the office door to escape, since doing so could cause collapse of the remaining structure. Diverse, interesting characters shatter stereotypes, tell fascinating stories suggested by an Indian-American college student who knows the value of stories to absorb us. In the process of storytelling, the group bonds closely. As the reader I was as transformed by the stories as the group. Detesting Mr. Mangalam, the office manager I found sexist and self-absorbed, learning his story, I came to feel compassion and care for him. Jiang, a Chinese immigrant to the USA from India, revealed she could speak English all along. The Chinese immigrant from India I know says, "Jiang's story is accurate. This is almost exactly what happened to me." Knowing India to be diverse, I had no idea how diverse it is. This book is gripping, inspiring, and hard to put down, but easy to read as it is divided into almost short story. Spoiler alert: You won't know if they escape.

I selected this novel for my book club to read. It was suggested as a good read by my doctor who is also a friend. I enjoyed this book a lot. It is an introspective view of the characters who are confined to a basement after an earthquake, and the building is crumbling and flooding. So to pass the time while waiting to be rescued, each of the characters was asked to tell a story about one amazing thing that happened to each of them and the story is probably one that no one else knows about the storyteller. This is not an action packed novel by any means and for some it may be a slow read, but the benefits of psychological insight into why people are the way they are provide food for thought. Another book that is quite similar to this that I would recommend is BEL CANTO by Ann Patchett. Both are worthwhile reads for those interested in learning how people think and react to life.

I read the other reviews before I decided to purchase/read this and so I wasn't as let down by the ending as some others were. I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased another copy to send to my Mother to read. She doesn't typically read anything outside her "safety net" of American writers writing about things that are fairly safe and mundane so I was uncertain how she would take this one, she loved it as well. I've read all of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's books and believe she is gifted with the ability to really let the readers into the hearts and minds of her characters. Was this the best book I've ever read...no, was it a book I'll remember for the rest of my life, YES.A good read and it is true, everyone has at least "One Amazing Thing"!Enjoy

I had to read this book for class and I wasn't expecting much, but once I got started, I realized that this was gonna be one heck of a read. I only docked a star because the ending left me strangely unsatisfied. Everything else was fantastic. The writer's clear and descriptive prose. Her use of emotional phrases to really give you a feeling and connection with the characters. Her ability to really create suspense. It was one hellofa ride. I loved reading it. Until the end. It just sort of stopped. And that's why its only a four star book.

Loved it, wish it would have gone on. It gave me so much to think about. Especially how much we don’t know about what other people have lived through.

I have just finished reading this book and it's a wonderful story set in a collapsed embassy building the way Chitra introduces and brings in each character and their stories in so beautifully written. I would definitely recommend.

This is a lovely story - not too long but with a range of characters that you want to get to learn about as the story unfolds. Was difficult to put down. I wished it went on for ages.

Bought out of loyalty to the author ...been huge fan of her other works but his one a total disappointment on every ground..plot..characters..narration..none of them is amazing ...Just Uma character is saving grace of entire story.If you are about to pick this one as first of Mrs. CB Divakaruni,pls resist,go for her other novels.

I have been a fan of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni ever since I read her novel for the first time (The Palace of Illusions). The descriptive style, the language, the imagery she creates along with the portrayal of the characters is simply amazing. The story is also good with a unique theme. Overall an entertaining read.

Mi è molto piaciuto. Scritto bene. Forse, ripensandoci dopo, c è un qualcosa di artificiale nel mettere insieme i diversi personaggi come se l autrice volesse scrivere una raccolta di short novels ma volesse pubblicarla come un romanzo (le novelle corte si vendono poco). Comunque una lettura piacevole come lo sono sempre le opere di questa scrittrice.