Spring, Heat, Rains: A South Indian Diary Book

I gave this book five stars because of the quality of the writing, which is wonderfully lyrical and descriptive. However, it was a hard book for me to read for two reasons. First, because there are many references to Indian poets, culture and people with which I had no familiarity, so I felt compelled to stop reading and research each unfamiliar person, place, or thing. Because of this disconnect, I never felt like I fully understood the author's experiences or points of reference. Second, there is no traditional plot or story arc, as it is a journal, and I really prefer to read something with a discernable plot. Having said that, though, this book moreso than any other book about India has given me a much deeper understanding of the country, its people, and the culture. It's a book that will continue to help me in that understanding as I continue researching all the references. And I really loved the writing style - it was poetry in prose form and just stunningly beautiful.