What was the name of this book?

[mineallmine]

It was an amazing book set in India. It told three stories which intertwined. One was the story of a young widow who defied her family and tradition and lived alone in an apartment and sewed? for a living. Then there was an uncle and nephew and their story. They ended up living on the balcony of the woman. I can't remember the third story.

It didn't have a happy ending and I was glad when I read it because that would have been ridiculous. The woman ended up having to go and live with her brother, I think, and I can't remember the rest.

I thought at the time it was the best book I'd ever read and now that I've forgotten lots of it, I'd like to read it again.

Oh I always read the "what was this book?" threads and I've never heard of the book in question. But this one rings a bell..and I can't bloody remember it! Bumping for more helpful posters.

It wasn't 'A Fine Balance', was it by R Mistry? I read it ages ago.

Agree with Wow, sounds like A Fine Balance

That's the one. One of my top 5 books ever, I loved it.