Find out what Mumsnetters thought of The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam

Finally finished it, to the detriment of my ability to stay awake today! I really enjoyed it, and it got me thinking about all sorts of things: the contrasts between those who have much and those who have nothing, and the degree to which the former are aware of the latter; the extent to which we blame our current situation on our past; the cultures around the world about which I know so little.

I was a bit disappointed that the story of the whale didn't really tie in with everything else enough for me, it was all a bit philosophical. And I wanted happy endings for some of the characters (not Zubaida whose difficulties are largely of her own making) who didn't get them. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed it and will search out the other two in the trilogy.

As I started this book I didn't know it was part of a trilogy - but it doesn't matter. It is easily read as a stand alone book. The story centres around an adopted daughter of a loving Bengali family. The text is beautiful and lyrical, each sentence is musical yet thoroughly conversational - almost like the narrator is singing the story, it is atmospheric, rich, intense and captivating, written with a melancholic elegance. It feels like someone is reading you the secrets of their soul, a halting emotional confession. It is such a personal story I often had tears in my eyes. Towards the end of this book I slowed down my reading as I didn't want it to end! From the moment you start reading you know there can be no 'fairytale' ending - there is just too much 'human' in this story for any 'convenient' happy ending. The only thing I have against this book is that it did feel like it was dragging at times and because of such descriptive writing it was hard to follow often. But it was a great read - and I am going to check out the other two!

Brilliant, thank you. I have just emailed you!

Tried a few times and just couldn't get into it :(

I am struggling with this book and haven't finished it yet. I am on Anwar's story.

It is beautifully written, descriptive but requires a lot of concentration. It jumps back and forth through time scales and stories. I also feel it needs a glossary at the back as some of the terms I was unfamiliar with, especially around the wedding and the clothing worn.

I am having to push myself to finish reading this as I usually only read a few pages at a time and then are lost when I pick the book back up. The dig was interesting and I would have liked more of the book spent here and less at the shipyard and the documentary film as this part was boring and at this point of my reading I am unsure of the relevance of Zubaida's time at the shipyard.

I also feel sorry for Rashid, he seems to have got a poor deal, and that she was pinning a lot of hope on Elijah, who she had only known for a short while.

With hope that the story becomes clearer after Anwar's story I will give this 3.5 out of 5. It is recommended for readers who enjoy a sweeping family saga, but not if you enjoy fast paced books such as thrillers.

The title really grabs you, interesting read.

Thanks Canongate and Mumsnet for my copy of the book. I found it difficult to connect with the story, it seemed to flit all over the place with nothing really happening in the first section of the book despite being introduced to lots of characters. I've yet to finish the book so I don't know if it improves but to date I've found it boring, I put it down after 30 pages and I've not picked it up since.

I haven't read this one but have read the first in the trilogy and can highly recommend. The author,is very good at painting a picture because she is very descriptive. After reading these reviews I'm going to head out and buy this xx

Sounds fantastic. Can't wait to get hold of a copy.

Jumped around far too much for me, gave up reading it half way.

Still haven't finished this but due to lack of time not lack of enjoyment. I've found myself drawn in to the story, and desperate to know how it all plays out. I think the way it is written to a character we've met but are only getting hints as to what's happened with in the meantime is clever and keeping me hooked, although I can't work out where it's all going, there seem to be so many different strands.

I'm currently feeling very sorry for Rashid who seems to have got a bad deal through no fault of his own - he seems to have been nothing but a good bloke. Clearly this may change....

I was intrigued to discover it's not the first book about Zubaida - I hadn't picked that up from the writing. I'll probably go back and get hold of the others at some point.

I bought this as I wanted to take part in the discussion, and while I found it hard to get going, I started to enjoy it, but this book really does go deep into the ol' descriptives! This can be a bit annoying for me, as I like a story to carry me along, yet I am finding myself slipping sometimes. I am very near the end, and finding myself getting more used to Tahmimas style of writing. Yes, I would buy more of her books now, but it does take a while. The story is strong, very pulling and luckily though this is the third book in the series, the books are only loosely related, so the only spoilers you get is who will grow old and who doesn't!
I am going to buy the other two books as I have come this far, and its dragged me in! Thanks for the recommendation! x

I've just started it! Not sure if I'm going to be a fan yet!

Beautifully written and deeply moving story, about cultural tradition, family, and love.I really enjoyed reading the book and would reccomend it.

This novel is taking me quite a long time to read; every action is descriptively embellished forcing me to close my eyes and visualise each and every one of them. My fellow commuters must be very confused by my reading technique !
My tardy reading is further complicated by the unpredictable switch in timeline. The level of concentration that's required to follow this novel is beginning to make it feel a bit like homework !

A beautifully written book that shows the pull between tradition and past and opportunity and progress. This is an ideal Kindle book as you do need to concentrate on the story and the chapters are long so it is good to be able to leave it where you finished reading and pick up later; perfect for passing bus journeys. I really enjoyed this; it was deep and educated me in subjects I had no prior knowledge of but a powerful love story.

Interesting book, but quite hard work for me! Requires concentration and brain-power to do it justice, and it does deserve it, but haven't either of those commodities to spare at the moment! It was interesting to learn that the ambulocetus, which is central to the storyline, did in fact exist. This made it much more worth pursuing for me than had it been a fictional creature.

I also found it quite hard to ' get stuck in' . Once I had turned off outside noises and influences, and just concentrated on the Bones of Grace , I found the story gripping. I am now at the stage where Zubaida is on the ship ' Grace ' and am looking forward to finishing the book and will seek out the other novels of Tahmima Anam

I think this is a 'marmite' book! It was originally recommended to me by my friend who thought it was the best book ever written and as I have enjoyed previous recommendations from her I was looking forward to it. I have persevered but still have to say it is in my dnf pile (which is quite small!) I had not realised it was part of a trilogy which may have a bearing but I have been reassured it is only a loosely tied trilogy. I think for me to get lost in a book, I have to step into the shoes of that person and I just couldn't be so pretentious! As I said, I have a few books that I haven't finished and a lot of these are indie books on my kindle which are woefully proof read, terrible grammar and flipping between tenses. I cannot say that about this book. It musical,lyrical and could be thoroughly beautiful and evidently is for some people. Perhaps it overdosed me on melancholy and misery created through indecision. Having been so negative, give it a go, you never know, it may be your book of the year!

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book but I am loving it. I'm torn between wanting to finish it quickly to find out what happens and savouring every description so I can continue enjoying it! I'm delighted to find it's part of a trilogy, though disappointed to have read it out of sequence.

Beautifully written and full of psychological and cultural insights. Will be back when I've finished.

Fascinating read with a good plot. I love how descriptive the language is - it really sets the scene and draws you in, however the jumping of times can be a little confusing if your not fully concentrating 3/5

great book the wife has read it , im going to read it soon,the wife loved it by the way

Looking forward to getting started on this tonight!

The Bones of Grace is the third part of a trilogy, so I would say read the first two instalments first. A moving novel of a woman trying to find herself and her journey through life, love, education and travels between USA and Bangladesh. Tinged with sadness and melancholy and beautifully written.