One Amazing Thing (Paperback)
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Short Description for One Amazing Thing "When an earthquake hits, nine men and women of diverse ages and backgrounds are trapped in an Indian consulate. Cameron, an African American Vietnam vet, takes charge, striving to keep them safe. College student Uma, who brought along The Canterbury Tales to read while waiting for clerk Malathi and her boss Mangalam to process her papers, suggests that they each tell an important story from their
Full description- Publisher: Hyperion
- Published: 21 December 2010
- Format: Paperback 227 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: Contemporary Fiction
- ISBN 13: 9781401341589 ISBN 10: 1401341586
- Sales rank: 114,362
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Reviews for One Amazing Thing
In everyone's life, at least one amazing thing has happened
This novel revolves around nine disparate people trapped together in a visa office after an earthquake, their work to survive until they are rescued, and the tension that comes out when people are worried for their lives.
To break up the tension, Uma, a graduate student, suggests that they each tell an important story from their lives to give them all something to focus on.
THIS is where the story gets interesting. Although a couple of the stories never get fully told as they are interrupted by shifting of debris, the stories that we DO read give the reader a greater insight into each character. Because they are so different from each other, each story is unique and some are rather heartbreaking.
The beginning third of the book was almost ho-hum for me. I didn't feel much connection with the characters, and there was a lot of animosity between a few of the characters that I felt was not fully justified or explained very well.
When the stories started coming, however, I was caught up. Many of them revolved around love and marriage: love lost, expectations thwarted, love found. These glimpses are what made me finally feel for the characters and somewhat redeemed the novel for me, especially those that gave me insight into different cultures.
Worth a read, even if the first part does sort of drag along. I really would have liked to see more development of character closer to the beginning of the novel, but when I think about it, if you really WERE stuck in an office with a bunch of other people, how much would you know about them in the beginning/
QUOTES
"Please don't be afraid of me," he said. He wanted to tell them what he'd seen in Mexico, where he'd gone to help after an earthquake in one of his attempts at expiation. People who had been too impatient and had tried to dig themselves out of the rubble often died as more debris collapsed on them, while people who had stay put - sometimes without food and water for a week or more - were finally, miraculously rescued.
The time and money he had spent planning this trip to India, the tickets he had booked. Just because here eyes had shone for a moment when she saw the cursed picture. The words were in his mouth: If it weren't for tying to take care of you, I wouldn't be stuck down here, bout to die. Everything I worked so hard for brought to zero.
"Everyone has a story," said Uma, relieved that one of them was considering the idea. "I don't believe anyone can go through life without encountering at least one amazing thing."
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Plot: 3 out of 5 stars
Characters: 3 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 3 out 5 stars
BOOK RATING: 3.25 out of 5 stars by Julie Smith
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