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florante's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
3.0
'The Siege of Kishnapur' is fictionalized account of Sepoy mutiny of India in 1857. The title as well as theme mentioned is likely to throw you wrong ideas - as if it was about military adventure or war - and these themes are there but mostly in backdrop ( except for a chapter towards the end).
The book manages to be entertaining through and though - through its humorous style. It is quick to catch attention and then retains it till very end. Its beauty lies in the way it recreates the colonial environment of times - almost with cinematic quality. There are very few Indians in it - and except for a prince are all extras (servants, soldiers etc). It is English characters that dominates most of the book, finding themselves trapped in a hostile environment.
The author brings out and contests different notions (put forward buy different characters) of progress and development; and meaning of life. while staying funny and not lecturing. He points out the follies in ideologies on which imperialism was based. It won man-booker price winner (1973)and is possibly is one of most easiest-to- read book which did so.
The Siege of Krishnapur is a part of empire trilogy on history of british empire along with the 'Troubles' based on Easter 1916 rebellion in Ireland, and 'The Singapore Grip'.
The book manages to be entertaining through and though - through its humorous style. It is quick to catch attention and then retains it till very end. Its beauty lies in the way it recreates the colonial environment of times - almost with cinematic quality. There are very few Indians in it - and except for a prince are all extras (servants, soldiers etc). It is English characters that dominates most of the book, finding themselves trapped in a hostile environment.
The author brings out and contests different notions (put forward buy different characters) of progress and development; and meaning of life. while staying funny and not lecturing. He points out the follies in ideologies on which imperialism was based. It won man-booker price winner (1973)and is possibly is one of most easiest-to- read book which did so.
The Siege of Krishnapur is a part of empire trilogy on history of british empire along with the 'Troubles' based on Easter 1916 rebellion in Ireland, and 'The Singapore Grip'.
aalayah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
ajcorn's review against another edition
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
nianyigexiaodu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
newson66's review against another edition
4.0
Farrell's second work of his very own clash of civilisation trilogy.
A little slow to kick off but well worth the trawl through.
Spoiler - Empire ends, and not before time colonialism bites the dust.
A little slow to kick off but well worth the trawl through.
Spoiler - Empire ends, and not before time colonialism bites the dust.
alisonjfields's review against another edition
4.0
Very dark and very funny. To a person, Farrell's British Colonials suffering various privations at the height of the Indian Mutiny are all fatuous, loathsome and largely deserving of everything they get (and worse), which is likely historically accurate but likely to turn off any reader looking to hitch herself up to a sympathetic character. I didn't quite love it as much as Farrell's spectacular Troubles, but still a terrific, bracing tonic to anyone fool enough to romanticize the Raj.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
See my review here:
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/day-716-the-siege-of-krishnapur/
https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/day-716-the-siege-of-krishnapur/
creechance's review against another edition
5.0
'The Siege of Krishnapur' is an excellent book. It is extremely interesting and genuinely funny.