I just finished The Inheritance of Loss and it was a good book. This was another "slice of life" books that followed the stories of several people as they experienced the combined impact of everyday life in the midst of an insurgency. For me, this was an interesting book because the situations were very different from my experience - I was able to glimpse people in a culture that is different from mine. It was the emotions and reactions that I could understand - love, loss, indecision, fear, joy, etc. 
 I had difficulties with all the characters at different points in the book, though it was impatience rather than true dislike (except the judge, who was just pretty vile). I think my impatience stemmed from the fact that I felt like I was looking in from the outside - and this is why it does not rate a 5/5 for me - the book just didn't draw me in enough to feel like I was "part" of the story. The books I most enjoy are those that really draw me in, so that I am fully engaged with the characters. 
 The writing is very good, but perhaps bit too detailed. A tighter editing of the book would have helped it. There were times when I realized that I was only skimming or not paying attention and would have to go back and reread certain sections. I love books were every word and every sentence is carefully selected and moves the story in some way or describes things in almost poetic prose. In this book, while most of the text moved the story, there were extraneous sections that made the story drag. This may have contributed to my impatience. 
 The balance between ordinary life - adolescents experiencing first love, the banter of people who live and work together - and the violence of the insurgency made for an interesting counterbalance. Sai, the cook and Gyan were very interesting. Gyan - the tutor, the rebel, the confused young man trying to make his way in a confusing world while taking care of his family - was the most interesting character for me. He was on the cusp of a decision about which way to go. What did he believe? Who did he love and respect? 
 The ending was a bit abrupt - I would have liked a little more. And I seriously loved the dog! I rate the book a 4/5.