I’ve read a couple of books by this author, and I have to say that she excels at making you feel for her protagonists. This book proves that she does so even when they make choices and act on things that will clearly mess things up for them further. I thought I’d not finish reading this so soon since I’m on vacation, but it was so compelling that I read it all in two days. Set against the backdrop (and not just in the backdrop) of Indian independence, it follows the life of 3 sisters who live near Calcutta, and how their choices shape their lives in the newly born country. Highly recommended!

Detailed review to come.

INDEPENDENCE by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (Before We Visit the Goddess) is a work of historical fiction which is centered primarily in India during the 1940s and the push for independence from British rule. But the title also refers to the struggles for self-autonomy for three sisters: Deepa who is a beautiful singer thinking about marriage; Priya who passionately hopes to become a doctor like their father; and Jamini who aims for virtue and yet sometimes grudgingly takes on the household responsibilities. Each, in her own way, is a rebel against societal, religious, and family expectations. Their lives change dramatically when their father dies and the sisters struggle with life choices about whom to marry and where to live, but the family bonds are strong. INDEPENDENCE deals with themes of belonging and acceptance, with duty and betrayal, and with selfishness and sacrifice - all on an individual and on a country-wide level. Like other titles by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, this newest one would make an excellent book group choice. INDEPENDENCE received starred reviews from Booklist ("unforgettable prose") and Publishers Weekly ("This is a must.").

I loved this story about sisters and their competing dreams, against the backdrop of the tensions and violence during the partition of India, East Bengal and Pakistan. This is historical fiction at its best with finely drawn characters and a propulsive storyline that will keep you turning the pages.

Independence captures the hopes, fears, violence, and bloodshed that accompanied India's independence and partitioning in 1947. Three Hindu daughters' destinies are changed overnight when their physician father is killed in sectarian violence. One falls in love with a Muslim man, and journeys with him to Bengal. A second stays close to home to care for their mother. The third daughter longs to become a doctor like her father, and sacrifices her love for her fiancé to travel to America for an education.
This is historical fiction at its best.

Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a novel taking place in India in 1947 just as the country is achieving independence from Britain and dividing into Pakistan for Muslims leaving most Hindus in India . This partition led to many deaths and displaced persons. It is in this turmoil that the novel's action takes place.

Sisters Priya, Deepa and Jamini are coming of age as they live with their doctor father and quiltmaker mother. When tragedy strikes, the sisters' lives are torn apart and they become separated from each other. The development of the characters and the way the history and politics of the time affected them made this a compelling novel. The sisters' relationships and the steps they took to preserve the family were inspiring.

I didn't love the writing style, which was quite simplistic, and some of the dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic. However, the extensive historical background and rich cultural context contained within the novel carried this to a four star read.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical fiction that takes place in India.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well-written but difficult to read due to the intense and distressing subject matter. I'm a fan of Divakaruni and applaud her tackling such a difficult and divisive issue.

A delightful book from a very interesting perspective. I loved the vivid cultural narrative. The way it was written was hard to follow at first but became easier as the book progressed. I would definitely recommend this book.