Meena, a rural woman, has been the victim of a brutal honour attack inwhich her husband is murdered by her own blood. Smita, an Indian American journalist must overcome her Mumbai past and travel to India in a bid to get the story, while she embarks on her own love quest.

I am quite nieve when it comes to cultural aspects of India, I was also unaware of the islamaphobia that had occurred in India's history. As a westerner, I have heard stories of honour killings occurring in rural india, but was taken aback by rural India's backward views on women. This was a horrowingly brutal story of fobbiden love, family honor, corruption and murder most evil, but also of the power of love and sacrifice.

Although at times the content was difficult to read, I couldn't put this book down. Every page was a page turner and I needed to find out what happened next. I liked how the POV switched on some chapters between Smita and Meena. It allowed their characters to develop, while showing the reader how their situation differed, though they shared similarities in the way they were treated as women by the country they called home.

I did have to Google the odd word to check both meaning and pronunciation.

I have to admit that it took me a while to get into this book and I found myself frustrated with the protagonist, but after finishing it, I think it might be one of my favourite reads of all year. Honor tells the story of a Hindu woman, Meena, who seeks justice for the murder of her Muslim husband, Abdul, by her own brothers, following an elopement that attracts the ire of her entire village, and the Indian-American journalist, Smita, sent to cover the court verdict that finally decide whether Meena's brothers are villains or patriots.

It was an incredibly compelling and difficult story to read, but one of the more relevant ones, and it is a testament to the author's skill in crafting such a story, which can only mirror hundreds and maybe thousands of real-life ones going on in India right now, because I didn't want to read it, but I felt that I had to, for my own sake. The author had a way of highlighting this powerful, painful social issue, to draw significant attention to the growing and rampant Islamaphobia in India right now, and as a Hindu, even if I struggled, I had to read this. Meena's story and Smita's story was juxtaposed admirably, and honestly, I would recommend this book to anyone.

Another great book from Thrity Umrigar. The subject matter is upsetting at times - so called 'honour' punishments and religious hierarchies. The characters are interesting and always a good sign when I'm thinking about them after the book is finished.

"As children, we were taught to be afraid of tigers and lions. Nobody taught us what I know today - the most dangerous animal in the world is a man with wounded pride"

This book is haunting, beautiful and heart-breaking, encompassing pure evil juxtaposed with delicious hope.

Smita returns to India as a journalist years after her family left the country. She clearly does not want to be there, but we do not find out until quite late in the book why that is. She is covering the story of Meena, a woman who lives in a tiny village where women are completely subservient to men. She is Hindu, and falls in love with a Muslim man from a neighbouring village, with tragic consequences after her brothers commit an 'honor' killing. Courageous Meena has taken her brothers to court, and Smita covers the trial and the results. There is a horrible sense of inevitability with the trial and I couldn't put the book down as we hurtled towards the result and the ending.

The book was composed of beautiful scenes of India, contrasted with graphic scenes of violence against women and makes clear the issues that still remain in the underdeveloped villages, where ignorance and lack of education means that communities are susceptible to old fashioned ideas and where 'leaders' such as Rupal can manipulate their fears and pride to act in ways that are inhuman. The book emphasises the dangers of religious divide and that this is still very much prominent in some poorer areas of the country, and the differences between these villages and the cities.

There were certain scenes which were extremely difficult to read, but I think these were so important to portray the ongoing issues. There were also some hopeful scenes, giving the reader faith that love and tolerance could help to bring people together and create new communities and outlooks, and leaving this reader smiling through her tears. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thrity Umrigar and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Honour is an excruciating book to read, but only because it opens your eyes to the harsh reality other people are facing in different countries. I think this book should be taught in schools to make others aware of their privilege.


Indian American journalist Sima arrives back in India since the time her family were driven out and moved to America years before. She ends up following the story of Meena, a woman who was burnt, and her husband murdered. All because of his religion and her culture. Reporting on her story Sima becomes aware of how unfair the justice system can be, and unlocks similar memories to her childhood.It’s a heartbreaking story and is a one that will stay with me forever.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Pulishers Swift Press for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved, loved this book. Loved Smita and Mohan & Meena and Abdul. This is definitely Thrity Umrigar’s best book - better even than ‘The Space between Us’ which was beautiful.
This book deftly brings the reader into India, with all its contrasts, beauty, injustice and hope.
Thoroughly recommend.

This is a difficult one to read because of the subject matter and it feels weird to say it’s “good” because that’s not the right word, but I definitely recommend it.

Smita is a journalist who grew up in Mumbai but moved to America when she was 12 years old. In present day, she’s flown back to India to cover a murder trial. A Hindu woman named Meena and her Muslim husband Abdul were burned alive by Meena’s family for having an interfaith marriage and becoming pregnant, or an “honor killing”, as her family calls it. Abdul dies, while Meena and her unborn baby survive, although Meena is very badly disfigured and left for dead.

The trial is held in a small village outside of the more metropolitan city, where corruption is rampant and beliefs of the town’s leadership are incredibly misogynistic and patriarchal. In addition to the frustration and heartbreak of the trial, Smita has to deal with her own internal thoughts, as this is the first time she’s been back in India since childhood, a place she never thought she’d return to for various reasons we come to learn.

I found it really powerful to read, especially during a time where it feels like the US is going backwards with women’s rights and allowing religious beliefs to influence political policies.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy and the chance to read this ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

Indian American journalist, Smita has returned to India, believing she has been called there to take care of her friend and fellow journalist, Shannon. While visiting her
friend in the hospital, she learns she has been called there to cover a story of Meena - a Hindu woman - who has been attacked by her own brothers for marrying a Muslim man.

‘As children, we were taught to be afraid of tigers and lions. Nobody taught
us what I know today-the most dangerous animal in this world is a man
with wounded pride.’

This is a powerful, gut-wrenching story, highlighting two very different, but very brave women. Some parts of this story are hard to read. It's brutal and sad. I could not put this book down, even though some parts were so tough. I screamed and cried and screamed again!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for allowing me the opportunity to get an early copy of this novel!

Please note that this novel contains graphic violence, arson, sexual abuse, torture, child abuse, sexual harassment and murder.

I enjoyed the Mumbai setting of this book - it felt real and recognisable. The story is also important - but I finished the book feeling slightly uncomfortable about the while thing. The romance was awkward, and other characters - for example the village elder Rohan - didn't add anything and just seemed a bit ridiculous.

But it's a readable novel with a very important message - sadly it just didn't quite work for me overall.

I feel a little confused by this book. It deals with the horrific subject of honour killings, and there are some truly terrifying passages which are difficult to read. On the other hand, it was clear from early on that this was also going to be a love story, which I found detracted from the seriousness of the novel. In addition there were situations that I couldn't quite believe in, i.e. Srita being summoned by Shannon to Mumbai, and Srita totally misunderstanding what was required of her. And the lawyer, journalist and her lover failing to protect Meena.

This novel had such potential to be great, but it didn't quite hit the mark.

What a wonderfully written book!

From start to finish I was booked on this book, instantly falling in love with Thrity's writing style. The character set up was perfect, letting the reader learn about the characters JUST enough to feel somewhat attached but not enough to know the real stories behind them (until later in the book of course, no spoilers here).

The scene setting was done so perfectly, more so through the characters' eyes themselves, making it more genuine feeling.

With themes of grief, religion and gender injustice I went into this knowing it would be hard hitting, but Thrity has managed to detail these themes through the eyes of Smita, an Indian-born, American journalist and Meena, a Hindu woman who was one day awfully tortured by her brothers for marrying the love of her life, a Muslim man. Some scenes were incredibly upsetting to read about, but I see this as a sign of impeccable writing. The scenes and characters felt so real, not only because of the style of writing and the words used, but also the small additions of the different Indian dialects such as Parsi and Marathi.

Thank you Thrity and Netgalley for enabling me to learn more about Indian cultures and read this truly beautiful and heart wrenching book in exchange for my honest review.

Honor treads a fine balance between generating outrage and despair at the intransigent and corrupt India and pride in the country and it’s possible future.
When Smita returns to India as a reporter, having fled the country as a child, she cannot hide her dislike for the male dominated society and the traditions used to justify prejudice and violence. She is to write a piece on a village Hindu girl, Meena, whose “dishonoured” brothers killed her Muslim husband and left her badly disfigured after burning down their hut.
As the investigation continues, it highlights the corrupt judicial system and the rule of law still swayed by local leaders and their mobs. The story builds to a shocking climax that felt believable despite being contrasted with modern day Mumbai and all its civility.
There is a will they, won’t they love interest with Mohan, her guide, and revealed secrets from the past. All of which keeps the reader interested and engaged.
Umrigar readdresses the balance towards the end, not wanting to totally trash the country, and there is a more positive upbeat ending that looks to addressing the issues and influence change.

Beautifully written novel about Indian traditions, love, sacrifice and honour. I didn't want to put this down. It reveals the harsh realities of cultural divisions in a modern day India. Heartbreaking......

This was an intense read! The book definitely challenges love, culture and heart break! Looking forward to lots more by this author.

This was a tough hard hitting read but also an enjoyable eye opening book. It was so intense but also in a good exciting way.

In this riveting and immersive novel, bestselling author Thrity Umrigar tells the story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide.
Begs to be read in one sitting… really tugs at your emotions, one minute I was breathless with anticipation, the next I had tears running down my face… I can’t wait for more by this author.

This was a tough but powerful read about love, betrayal, a society living in the past and being torn between family and the heart. this book was well written with a gripping and heart-wrenching storyline and well developed characters that were believeable and I especially really took to both Smita and Meena.
I don't want to go into the plot too much because I want people to experience like I did, it is such an emotive read and I went through a variety of emotions whilst reading it, mainly anger, disbelief and sadness.
A incredible read.

I’m glad I read this book. The first part was highly uncomfortable for me to read. But the book made me feel things. The ending was unpredictable but it made sense. It’s hard to say this is a ‘good’ book because of the subject matter. However, I would recommend this book to others.