Book Review: Honor by Thrity Umrigar (2022)
Honor is a powerful novel, but I recommend it with a warning: at times, it is difficult to read. The story confronts the stark realities of India’s caste system and the devastating consequences of deeply ingrained cultural traditions.
The novel follows Smita Agarwal, an Indian American journalist who has spent years in the United States trying to distance herself from her past in India. While on vacation, she is called back by her publisher to cover a story that forces her to confront both her memories and her evolving understanding of her homeland.
Smita reluctantly accepts an assignment to report on an “honor killing” in a remote village. A young Hindu woman, who married a Muslim man, is murdered by her own brothers after her husband is killed. What unfolds is a harrowing examination of violence justified in the name of tradition.
Through Smita’s investigation, Umrigar explores the sharp contrasts between privilege and poverty, the modern urban culture of Mumbai and the rural countryside, and the tension between cultural brutality and individual rights. The novel does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, making parts of it gut-wrenching and emotionally challenging.
Despite these heavy themes, Honor is also a dual love story. Beneath the pain and injustice, there is a current of hope—one that lingers long after the final page.
If you enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing or A Thousand Splendid Suns, this is a book worth looking up.