The main character, Madan is child of a very poor family, whose father is an abusive, drunk, gambler. When the father trades Madan's six year old sister for a forgiven debt, it almost destroys the family. Madan's fortunes change for the better when the town's wealthiest citizen takes him under his wing, pays for his schooling This book is a difficult one to rank. Madan's fortunes change for the better when the town's wealthiest citizen takes him under his wing, pays for his schooling and teaches him how to run a business.
The story takes place in India and there are Indian words that are unfamiliar, but it is fairly easy to figure what they mean. How Madan saves his family, loses the favor of his mentor, becomes homeless, and rises again make a story that moves quickly. Jun 04, Barbara rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This ARC book was a giveaway from goodreads.
I loved every beautiful word of this excellent book! The story takes place in India and the main character is 12 year old Madan who lives in poverty with his family. His life begins to change when he meets Avtaar Singh the richest man in the town of Gorapur and they develop a relationship that is both loving and violent. This book is riveting in its brutality and heartache and you won't be able to stop reading it. I'm keeping my review s This ARC book was a giveaway from goodreads.
I'm keeping my review short because I don't want to spoil the impact this book will have on you. I highly recommend "Three Bargains" to anyone who doesn't want to miss reading this stunning book. Jun 16, Mike rated it it was amazing. I read it in 2 sittings and was enthralled the entire time. May 21, Christina Bowser rated it did not like it Shelves: I won this book from Goodreads.
I really thought I would love this book. I did not connect with any of the characters and the different story lines felt disconnected at times. The story did not hold my interest and I often thought of not finishing the book. May 20, Lizzy rated it liked it. Dec 06, Diane rated it really liked it.
Could hardly put it down. The characters are unforgettable. Highly recommend this book. Sep 14, Kookie rated it really liked it. Can't help but think it would make an excellent Bollywood movie my mind cast Ranveer Singh in the lead. Very touching ending, too. May 09, Andrea rated it it was amazing.
I was transported to India with its vibrant, pulse-rising energy and fervor by Tania Malik's gorgeous writing. Reading her captivating story, I was swept up by Madan's emotionally powerful family saga. His rags-to-riches journey captured the brutal beauty of his home and his endless search for belonging. The tale kept me guessing about what sort of bargain he would strike next to outwit his supposedly ruthless mentor he would eventually come to forgive and cherish. I can't wait to read Tania's n I was transported to India with its vibrant, pulse-rising energy and fervor by Tania Malik's gorgeous writing.
I can't wait to read Tania's next novel. Jul 22, Gsmyles rated it it was amazing.
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A depressing story about India and the life of one boy favored by a vicious landowner. Sometimes so violent it makes your stomach turn, but intriguing plot with everything coming full circle at the end. Of course some parts are hard to believe, but good story telling based off of some historical truth and Indian culture. I would read whatever Tania Malik writes next.
For being a woman, her voice as a boy is quite clear. Dec 01, Michelle rated it liked it. Jun 17, A Storied Soul rated it really liked it Recommends it for: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. This review was originally posted at my blog: However, it's important to note that Three Bargains goes much deeper than Millionaire, to me--much deeper--and I feel that it's leagu Disclaimer: However, it's important to note that Three Bargains goes much deeper than Millionaire, to me--much deeper--and I feel that it's leagues above its predecessor.
Madan lives a humble childhood as the son of servant-class parents in s Northern India. He quickly grabs the attention of Avtaar Singh, a wealthy and prominent man in the small town of Gorapur where Madan and his family live. Avtaar takes Madan under his wing and Madan is quickly introduced to a life he previously could only have dreamed of, but this attention comes with a price that costs Madan everything he has and forces him to leave behind his home, his family, and all he's known.
However, where such circumstances would leave most people defeated, Madan doesn't let society or its constraints keep him from rising above expectations. Using the education and business savvy that he learns with Avtaar, along with "three bargains" he must make with people along the way, he works his way through various jobs until he becomes a well-off businessman in his own right. Madan's success eventually sends him back to his hometown where he will have to confront the past and people he left behind. I took my time with this book because I quickly learned it was one that should be savored, and I also wanted to take my time because I wanted to understand the intricate lives, thoughts, and motives of all the characters Malik introduces us to in this, her first novel.
Furthermore, this is a novel that forced me to slow down and think about what was happening and how culture and society plays into the circumstances we find ourselves in because of these elements. We first meet Madan as a little boy who is trapped in India's rigid and forbidding caste structure; he's a servant boy with dreams and India has little patience for boys like him.
This notion is what Malik draws attention to with beautiful, crafty, and subtle prose that gets to the heart of how Madan feels and how he interacts with and against society. Madan defies expectations in that he isn't pushed back down to "his place," but he instead pushes back at every obstacle that blocks his path. And yes, Madan meets many obstacles, often losing things near and dear to him, as if these events are meant to punish him for the choices he makes--even Avtaar tells him early on in his life that every choice has a consequence.
Madan learns this the hard way but still presses on. This is one of the main things about Malik's book that is so endearing: Furthermore, in the midst of hardship, even if we can't immediately see it, there's always hope. This book is the perfect choice if you like fully realized and developed characters, believable plots, a lot of action, and a hopeful outlook on the future. This would make a great end-of-summer read or a book to kick off your fall reading.
I highly recommend it and I will be purchasing a copy myself. Jun 16, Mandy rated it it was amazing Shelves: This "rags to riches" tale was extremely heartbreaking to read, but also beautiful in ways and beautifully written. It is is difficult for me wrap my mind around the fact that this is Malik's first novel. We start out on our journey through Madan's life when he is twelve years old. He has an extremely rough start in the world.
It starts to get better when Avtaar Singh notices Madan's intelligence, and takes a liking to him, but soon after they make acquaintance trouble with his father starts brewing. His father has debts to pay, and to pay them off he commits the unforgivable crime against his family of view spoiler [ selling Madan's six year old sister off into marriage. Avtaar Singh helps find his sister, but when they find her she is beaten severely and needs major hospitalization. His father has officially destroyed her at six years old, and she isn't the same after that.
Avtaar Sihgn then "rights" this wrong by sending his men to kill Madan's father for his wrongdoings, which Madan ends up watching. And Madan, who is intelligent, lacks common sense and hangs on to the Avtaar's every word. This book started out as being a gruesome tale of the life of poverty, then for the majority of the book it becomes the story of poverty and crime.
I really wasn't sure where this book was going to end up, but the way Malik writes made me feel like I was right in the heart of India. I have not had much experience or knowledge about the culture of India, and Malik still did an amazing job in keeping me caught up and in explaining the story right through those pesky cultural barriers. I was amazed at how well the ending came together, even though I really didn't like that view spoiler [ Madan's son died hide spoiler ] I really LOVED the ending and how bittersweet Madan's view spoiler [distant relationship with with his daughter ended up being.
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Yes, he ended up being his father as he knew it, and yes, he ended up giving Madan's daughter an education and making sure she was okay, but he never once apologized for introducing him to life of crime, to ordering for Madan to be murdered, for breaking promises, and for disowning him when Madan needed him most. And I hated him for that. After all of the violence and troubles, I did not expect for this book to end up so bittersweet and heartfelt, but was happily surprised. Original review at http: May 24, Melinda rated it really liked it.
This was an interesting book to read and a somewhat difficult book to review. It was an engrossing story and kept my attention from the first page. However, I can't say that I always enjoyed reading it.
But, then again, I don't believe that the author meant for this book to be enjoyable. Madan is an interesting character--he almost strikes me as being Dickensian. He's very dynamic as he coasts the arc of this rags to riches to rags to riches to I'm not going to tell you how it ends up! I di This was an interesting book to read and a somewhat difficult book to review.
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I didn't find any of the other characters in this book to be as faceted as he is. However, for the most part, that is fine. The only character I wish did have more depth was that of Avtaar Singh, who seemed just a bit too mysterious for me. Like Hosseini's book, there are some truly violent and hard to read to read scenes in this book although I found the scenes in The Kite Runner to be harder to stomach. However, it doesn't seem to have the same urgency as The Kite Runner. This is definitely a book I'm glad I read and I would recommend it to some readers--specifically to those with an interest in books from different cultures and who can stomach a fair amount of violence and profanity.
This would also be an excellent selection for a book club as there is much to discuss in it. I won a copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program. I was encouraged, but not required, to write and post an honest review. I received no other compensation for this post. May 19, Karen M rated it really liked it Shelves: To put it plainly, it was a very enjoyable read. The journey of the main character, Madan, is powerful and fascinating to follow. From an abused childhood of near poverty to being a self-made powerful businessman is always an intriguing story but the wonderful details are what make this book truly interesting and hard to put down.
Slumdog Millionaire is mentioned by a number of reviews but to me this is only on the surface. There is no magical money falling from the sky only hard work and the kindness of near strangers. Madan is a complex character who as a child is very protective of his sister and mother but later, when all he had gained is lost again, he abandons them.
After a tragic loss he suddenly desires to see his mother and sister again and revisit his past in the hopes of reclaiming a part of his life which he had once let go. Wonderful story and so very well written. I highly recommend reading this book. I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. Jun 17, Sara Smith rated it liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. This book is a rag to riches story of a boy named Madan in India. He lives with his parents, sister and grandfather in the servants' quarters working for a man named Avtaar Singh who runs the town by making loans and then taking payments for your business to keep running. Avtaar Singh sees something in Madan and sends him to school. Later, he takes Madan under his wing doing increasingly criminal acts. Eventually Madan makes a mistake and has to leave or die. He flees, but regrets who he leaves behind. He can't return until he is a big success. Towards the end of the book, Madan loses his son and realizes that the riches he worked so hard to achieve mean nothing without his child.
This was an epic book, but it has so much cruelty in it that it is difficult to like the main characters. It makes you realize how much life can change based on our choices. Jan 19, Penny Literary Hoarders rated it really liked it Shelves: I would be wrong in saying this book surprised me - because that's not what happened at all - this is definitely something in my wheelhouse of books that I would pick up, so I guess what I would say is that this was a very good story.
I would give the audiobook however more of a 3.
And while the narrator did an excellent job of giving distinction to the different characters with authentic accents and all, I really never could shake that he was reading it like he would to a group of I would be wrong in saying this book surprised me - because that's not what happened at all - this is definitely something in my wheelhouse of books that I would pick up, so I guess what I would say is that this was a very good story. And while the narrator did an excellent job of giving distinction to the different characters with authentic accents and all, I really never could shake that he was reading it like he would to a group of children gathered around on the carpet for storytime.
He read slowly and over-enunciated his words.
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But once I overcame my frustration with that I settled into this wonderful story - I found that I was anxious to return to it to find out what was happening to and with Madan and following him on his journey and the three bargains he has to make. A big thank you to the author for allowing me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook - I really enjoyed this one and recommend! Aug 13, Liz rated it liked it. I received this book through a goodreads giveaway and I enjoyed it. The author did a good job telling the story and building up the characters. However, I felt lost at times not knowing exactly where the author was going with the story.
It was supposed to be about a boy who bargained three times to end up in his current present, but those bargains weren't revealed until the end, and during that time I was left out in the dark wondering when the book was going to get to the point. When the messag I received this book through a goodreads giveaway and I enjoyed it. When the message of the story was revealed it ended so abruptly. The author worked so hard to build up the characters and their relationships and it sort of fell flat in the end.
I was hoping for a more powerful ending that would stay with me for a long time. With that said, the story itself had potential to be so much more and I wish the author could have delivered the moral of the story better than she did. May 20, Tara rated it it was amazing. I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and was so excited.
Three Bargains | W. W. Norton & Company
The author's cultural and geographical background alone born in New Delhi, educated in boarding schools in the Himalayas, and raised in India, Africa, and the Middle East. She received her degree from the University of Delhi and currently lives in northern California intrigued me and I had heard great things about this book from a friend of mine.
I was not disappointed in the least. It is the kind of story that, to be given I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and was so excited. It is the kind of story that, to be given justice, has to be told by someone who has personal ties to the formative culture that is the driving force in this novel. I am not going to give away the plot and other reviewers have summarized this book sufficiently. Just put this on your to-read list. You won't regret it. Dec 27, RoseMary Achey rated it really liked it.
Following a desperately poor 12 year old Indian boy into adulthood, this novel will keep your attention throughout all pages. This young boy has a family; a hard working mother, grandfather, sister and low-life father. When the father's actions negatively impact the family, the boy, Madan, must make the first of three bargains with a rich and powerful business owner. Each of the three bargains represent a major turning point both for the novel and for Madan's life, While the prose is not as Following a desperately poor 12 year old Indian boy into adulthood, this novel will keep your attention throughout all pages.
On his journey toward redemption, Madan will have to bargain, once, twice, three times for his life and for the lives of those he loves. Overview Music Video Charts. Opening the iTunes Store. If iTunes doesn't open, click the iTunes application icon in your Dock or on your Windows desktop. If Apple Books doesn't open, click the Books app in your Dock.
Click I Have iTunes to open it now. A Novel Tania Malik.
Three Bargains: A Novel
View More by This Author. Description A tale of fathers and sons, the ties that bind, and the barriers of class that even love cannot break, Three Bargains is a stunning first novel, as potent, heart-stopping, and epic as Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. Your opponent can be anyone, but to win, it's not who or what you're fighting against, as much as what you're fighting for. Over the course of this stunning debut novel, which begins in in Northern India, Madan grows up, enduring his father's absence, his mother's indifference, and the sale of his younger sister, who is brutalized but eventually returned to their small town on the Yamuna River, thanks to Avtaar Singh's intercession.
But when Madan follows his heart and betrays Avtaar Singh's trust, he barely escapes with his life, and makes a split-second decision he will come to regret. As the country around him swells with new money and possibility, Madan reinvents himself, arraying himself the wealth and shine of 21st-century global capitalism.