rohinton mistry's family matters

well read another book by rohinton mistry...called "family matters"
the title of the book conveys two meanings...
a) family matters...in the sense of some situation or event that is thought about
b) and the increasingly diminishing fact that family indeed does matter..
in todays world where personal bonds are sacrificed for money and power...where the old and the weak are left at the mercy of old age homes...where they are percieved as a burden to their own kith n kin...
heres a story about nariman vakeel whos effected with parkinsons. is under the care and mercy of his two step children, jal and coomy.jal,a gentle and dutiful son...a peace maker and man of composure... Coomy impatient,deceptive and scornful...can never forgive her step father for cheating on her mother!
nariman's daughter roxanne, a duty bound and caring daughter, wife and mother...who despite her financial woes takes care of her family[extended after her father stays with her due to a fractured ankle]without losing her cool!
its about the complete change of a lifestyle with the addition of another individual to the family...sometimes a moment of joy , sometimes burdensome...
with no offense to anyone...the old can somtimes ..all the times be extremely painful and annoyin[ am a constant witness to that]ungrateful and cribbing...totally annoying...
yet there are some who feel indebted to the other,for even the simplest and smallest act...[ have witnessed someone like that too!!]undemanding and content people...
nariman vakeel comes under the second category..
tries to help in watever little way he can...adjusting and caring...with immense gratitude for his daughter and her family...
despite his nature, fate leaves him at the mercy of his stepchildren...then own daughter...and finally a reunion of his family...
a revamped and remodelled family[ both home and members !!! ]each with a new set of idiosyncrasies!!?!
after all this my verdict....
......a pretty neat read, but nothing to beat his previous "fine balance"
signin off...