Honor

By: Thrity Umrigar

Narrated by: Sneha Mathan

THE JANUARY 2022 REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

“In the way A Thousand Splendid Suns told of Afghanistan’s women, Thrity Umrigar tells a story of India with the intimacy of one who knows the many facets of a land both modern and ancient, awash in contradictions.” —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours

In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide.

Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past. While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her.

In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time.

©2022 Thrity Umrigar (P)2022 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

“Honor is an utterly engrossing novel about two very different women whose lives converge after an unspeakable act of violence in India. With insight and compassion, Thrity Umrigar writes masterfully about the complexities of hatred and love, estrangement and belonging, oppression and privilege, about holding on and letting go. A powerful, important, unforgettable book.”
—Cheryl Strayed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wild

Honor by Thrity Umrigar is about an Indian-American journalist named Smita who returns to India on assignment. The story she’s covering is an emotionally riddled one that utilizes the lives of characters to portray the cultural realities of India, both new and old. Her experiences lift the veil on the complexities of journalism and leave Smita questioning her boundaries as a reporter. Complex and unfiltered, these are the type of characters that stick with you long after you turn the pages . . . Powerful story about family, devotion, and cultural truths all through the eyes of an incredible journalist.” —Reese Witherspoon, the January 2022 Reese’s Book Club Pick

“Honor is a novel of profound depths—cultural, personal, romantic, spiritual. It’s also a story of tremendous grace, both in the understanding it shows its characters and in the ways they navigate a brutal but stunning life.” —Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer Prize finalist for The Great Believers

Unexpected surprise

I started listening to this book with no idea what to expect, and I was very pleasantly surprised. A difficult story to listen to at times because of the subject matter, but a story that touched me and taught me at the same time. Thank you.

Stunned

Don’t know which parts of this story is true, but what an excellent novel. I read this book in two days; i just had to know what happened next. Recommended highly. Wow.

Great but sad story!

This is an amazing book! It is so sad that it still exists in India.
Cant put the book down. Stayed up late to finish it,

Great story BUT…

I loved this story, BUT the way the words of the other woman in the story (don’t want to say too much so as not to spoil it for readers) are NOT written in a way that relflect that woman’s voice, experience or life circumstances. I see that as a major flaw.

Great Story

A story about how the past can effect the present. This book is a story about love, hate, lies and truth. A great story!

Maddening and lovely

I really enjoyed the performance of the story. The story itself is well written and constructed but also heartbreaking and I’m not sure I would’ve stuck with it if I was reading it rather than listening.

Outstanding

I listened to this book in one day. I just couldn't stop.
I loved the way the characters were introduced. We met them as humans, not the beautiful imaginary perfect people.

Moving, thought provoking story

Towards the end there are a few stories that could use a trigger warning for. However the delivery of sensitive story details was done tastefully.

Impressive story

Loved the narration. The book started a bit dull, but once it got to the main plot, it was solid both in terms of story and narration. The ending seemed a bit forced and unnecessary but overall, it was a good listen. Special mention to Sneha Mathan who is spectacular as always..

A definite Yes

This book was recommended to me. I did read the synopsis of it prior to reading it. Well listening via Audible. I THOROUGHLY enjoyed it. Everything in the book was about honor. Good, bad, etc. It was about honor.