Such a Long Journey

First published in 1991 when it was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, this lovely story Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry is very well written. Set in in India in the late 1960s, the Noble family live in a flat in a block where there are a number of colourful characters. The head of the house, Gustad Noble, works in a bank and struggles to maintain a good lifestyle for his family, wife and three children. It is a time when there is a lot of political turmoil and corruption. Gustad had grown up with his family who had been quite wealthy, but later fell on hard times. Nevertheless, Gustad maintains his integrity in the face of corruption and does his best for his family and friends. This book was a lovely "journey". 4/5