Three Bargains: A Novel

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Pachinko National Book Award Finalist. The Invention of Wings. The Heart Goes Last. The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. The Girl Who Came Home. The Couple Next Door. We Are Not Ourselves. The Secret Book of Grazia dei Rossi. How to write a great review. The review must be at least 50 characters long. The title should be at least 4 characters long.

Your display name should be at least 2 characters long. At Kobo, we try to ensure that published reviews do not contain rude or profane language, spoilers, or any of our reviewer's personal information. You submitted the following rating and review. We'll publish them on our site once we've reviewed them. Item s unavailable for purchase. I love how Tania left the ending open in a way that we can imagine what can happen next and end the story in our own way. I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for my honest review. Jun 25, Zoe's Human rated it really liked it Shelves: This was an emotionally complex story with vivid imagery and intricate characters.

A compelling story which pulled me in immediately. I received a complimentary copy of this book via a Goodreads giveaway. Many thanks to all involved in providing me with this opportunity.

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Apr 24, Karen Klein rated it it was amazing. I won this from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. Absolutely wonderful book, and as this is a debut novel from this author, I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from her! Her writing is wonderful and flows beautifully.

I love reading books that are based in India; there is just something that fascinates me about the country and the people. I'm not sure if I will get to India in this lifetime, but with an author who writes as descriptively about the country and the NOTE: I'm not sure if I will get to India in this lifetime, but with an author who writes as descriptively about the country and the people, I feel like I just came back from a nice, long trip.

The story is based on the life of the main character, Madan - a poor 12 year old boy that is brought to Gorapur along with his mother and sister by his father, an abusive man who has no regard for his family whatsoever. Madan is "adopted" by Avtaar Singh, the wealthy "patriarch" of Gorapur. Madan's life seems to be on the right path now, a path that will allow him to step up out of poverty and to be able to care for his family in the years to come. Does his life change? Is this his destiny?

You have to read the book to find out the rest of the story. It's an interesting one and it will be time well spent. Malik and please, keep writing! May 21, Jim rated it really liked it Shelves: As this novel begins, the reader is introduced to Madan Kumar. He is a twelve year old boy from a poor family, with an abusive father, who has just moved to the factory town of Gorapur, in India. Singh almost instantly recognizes Madan as someone with the potential to rise above the class he was born into.

Instead of starting a job as a tea wallah, as his father had arranged, Madan is sent to school As this novel begins, the reader is introduced to Madan Kumar. Instead of starting a job as a tea wallah, as his father had arranged, Madan is sent to school because of Avtaar Singh. It provides wonderful insight into the nature versus nurture psychological debate.

Is our genetic material, or the people who shape our lives by influencing how and what we think about more important?

Malik asks the question — Who is my family? This is a fine book that seeks to explain why we are all unique individuals and for those of us not familiar with it, an enlightening glimpse into Indian society as well. May 20, Jenni rated it really liked it. Three bargains is the compelling story about the life of a Indian man trying to find his way despite the challenges life throws at him.

Three times in his life he encounters radical confrontations that change him and his outlook. It is also a story of the admiration a boy feels for the man who raises him and then later the struggles he has to go through to break away from this man. As a young boy the antagonist moves with his mother and sister to his father, a violent alcoholic.

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The drama that en Three bargains is the compelling story about the life of a Indian man trying to find his way despite the challenges life throws at him. The drama that ensues not only ends the life of the father, dramatically changes the life of the sister, but also adds a father figure. This charismatic father figure however comes with his own twisted morale. The novel is well written and instantly sucks you into the street life of India and the difficulties women and children face.

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It is also the story of the different aspects of love between family members and the components of what makes a family. As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I had a hard time relating to the ending. The relationship between the antagonist and the man who "raises" him is very complicated, but it also difficult to imagine another ending.

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I definitely would recommend this book any time. Jun 14, Lori rated it really liked it Shelves: I was a goodreads first reads winner of "Three Bargains" by Tania Malik. Madan and his family are poor from age 12 he tries to get jobs to help support his family, his father is drunk and abusive and even commits an unspeakable act toward his family.

Madan is the boy who has to "bargain" for his life and family. I do not want to give away any spoilers. I will say I really enjoyed this well written book and found myself involved in what happened to certain characters in this novel. I was glad I got the chance to read Three Bargains. May 16, Katherine rated it it was amazing. This book is a difficult one to rank. It is extremely well written, but some parts of it are very violent. After the first few chapters, it was very hard for me to put down.

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. 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.

Three Bargains by Tania Malik

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.

Three Bargains: A Novel

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.

Three Bargains

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. 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. 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: