eBook The Flat on Malabar Hill ePub

Vivaral

I read this book, loved it and recommended it to my book club as my selection for the month and consequently,my book club loved it. Comments made about this exquisitely written book by Chitra Kally were "it made me cry", "it introduced me to a culture I knew nothing about" "it helped me better understand Indian culture". Though the book club members'levels of knowledge about India and Indian culture were broadly different, all agreed that what was said about the challenges of the intergenerational family presented in this novel were universal and did not require an understanding of this ancient and beautiful land or its culture. The glimpse into life in Mumbai was simply an additional gift beautifully crafted by Ms. Kallay. The challenges faced by the members of this family with one foot in tradition and another in cultural change spoke to each of the members of my book club about their own families and their own cultures.

Xarcondre

This is a beguiling, dynamic map of a people, of families where traditions immemorial seem suddenly subject to the stresses of generational and geo-cultural change. Recalls Naipaul in its nimble, seamless creation of characters who are of a type, yet wholly their own individual, full-bodied selves.

Der Bat

Chitra Kallay definitely has a way with words. More than that, actually. She has expertly painted a magnificent picture with words. Her astoundingly original debut novel The Flat on Malabar Hill speaks volumes to that effect. From the very first page, I was already deeply engrossed in Kallay's fantastic narrative.

Spanning across three decades, three generations, and two continents, The Flat on Malabar Hill beautifully weaves the heart-wrenching story of a close-knit Indian family that belongs in the upper echelons of Mumbai's high society. Told through different perspectives - or rather - through the eyes of different cast members who make up the structure of the family, `The Flat on Malabar Hill' chronicles the fragile relationships between the members of the family against a backdrop of modern lifestyles clashing with age-old traditions.

Vinod and Shanti are the driving forces of the family; the glue that keeps the family whole. Their two sons - Kishore and Dev - are as different as chalk and cheese. Kishore is the son every parent wishes they could have. An MIT graduate and successful businessman, Kishore has always lived by the rule. Vinod and Shanti couldn't be more proud of their eldest son. While in the States, Kishore meets Anjali, who was reared abroad and loves to lead the modern Westernized life blissfully ignorant of Indian traditions. With Vinod and Shanti's blessing, Kishore marries Anjali and lives a happy life. They had a son Kisan and after he was born, they move to India and struggle to adjust to life in Mumbai.

Dev has no interest in following the footstep of his brother Kishore. Instead, he chooses to experiment with drugs and alcohol with his idle rich friends. Vinod completely disapproves Dev's way of living. Shanti stands by her husband although she has always had a soft spot for his younger beta. All Shanti wants is to Dev to settle down with a nice Indian girl and quits what he calls a job as a drummer at nightclubs. Things become unpleasant for the entire family when Dev brings an Anglo-Indian girl to introduce to his parents as his girlfriend. But when no one approve of Anita due to her caste, Dev distances himself from the family.

Years later, Kishore is living in Seattle with his family working for Microsoft. Quite suddenly, he has to uproot his family to the flat on Malabar Hill as family responsibility and tradition calls. Vinod and Shanti want to bequeath the flat to Kishore, and Anjali is excited to re-decorate the place to her liking. After all, it is their place now.

As years pass on, Shanti's memory gradually fades with Alzheimer's and each change Anjali brings about to the flat on Malabar Hill further erases the memories Shanti and Vinod had created over the years. Then, Vinod takes an earth-shattering decision that leaves an aching legacy behind that will haunt his family for years to come.
While the top-notch writing and the elegant prose take away credit for what makes this a spectacular novel, Kallay's luminous portrayal of each character is first-rate. As you turn the pages of this book, you will get to know each of them so well that you will come to feel that you share a special bond with each of family members that you can't quite describe.

The best part of the book has to be its devastating finale that will leave you stunned. I do crave for a book with a stunning ending and The Flat on Malabar Hill had delivered the desired effect on me.

All in all, The Flat on Malabar Hill is a marvelous book that could only be hailed as a gem in the literary world. Hats off to Chitra Kallay! With her amazing debut, Kallay has proved what a brilliant writer she is. I simply can't wait for her next.

Chankane

Ms Kallay stunningly and beautifully portrays an in depth personality
analysis of the fabric of an Indian family in context to the country's
culture and mores and how these very powerful influences interweave
into a reading experience that should not be missed!

While I was reading this truly exceptional novel, I kept on thinking
of two underlying concepts:

The first, being a significant one in my own field of Clinical
Psycholgy: " family of origin issues" and it's influence on an
individual.

The second is the Judaic concept of "L'Dor V'Dor." Translation: 'from
generation to generation.'

The Flat on Malabar Hill follows three generations of an established primary and
extended family in Mumbai, India.

The in depth portrature of each family member is lovingly mounted and
the influence of the family's past generations and intra- dynamic
encourages the reader to become fully immersed into the family's
home, experiencing their internal conflicts, love, pleasure and pain.
The novel doesn't just remain in Mumbai, but follows family members to
numerous locations in the United States and once again impressively
invites the reader to compare, contrast and experience the impact of
the different cultures upon key family members.

I would not be at all surprised if this novel is soon adapted into
an equally exquisite screenplay!

The Flat on Malabar Hill is a must read ! I recommend it to all "generations" of readers !

Marad

The Flat on Malabar Hill tells the story of three generations of an Indian family living in an apartment in an upscale neighborhood of Mumbai.
Chitra Kallay portrays an in depth of the family in context to the country's
culture and how these very powerful influences interweave with the India way of living.
The characters are vivid and the novel conveys the real life of the city.

Deep mutual love between a long-married husband and wife, Vinod and Shanti, forms the core of this story set in one of the finer neighborhoods in Mumbai, India. The couple's love also encompasses their two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

The characters and family dynamics were both believable and recognizable. The conclusion hauntingly tore at my heart strings. I would highly recommend this book.
While it is a charming book to read, it also teaches and creates understanding of many of life's most difficult problems. The book about this Mumbai family evokes both smiles and tears in the reading.

This book was sent to me for review by Paula Krap of aMe publishing.