Reviews

The City of Devi by Manil Suri

underpinnings's review against another edition

3.0

This was a really engaging book that I had trouble putting down at times, but there were too many things that bugged me for me to profess my love. The setting was really interesting and I really did like the female narrator, but I hated the male narrator. Not only was he a dick, but he kept referring to himself in the third person and no thank you. It was a super interesting take on the apocalypse, though, if maybe a little difficult to take seriously at times. I just think I would have liked it a lot more without ~the Jazter~ narrating.

jessicainaustin's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't know anything about this book before reading, and it was really unexpected and out there. Still, the plot kept me interested.

sariggs's review against another edition

2.0

The world building was fantastic, but it just took so long to get to the end. It's memorable as an original work, but I would never recommend it. Also, killing the gay husband was a way easier thing to do than actually navigate this unlikely threesome making their own family. I would have rather read that ending.

thegoodyouth's review against another edition

1.0

This was a good read right until the end, when everything was abruptly ruined. I found this book at Poundland for a quid, and I am so grateful I didn't spend anything else on it.

# let non-straight couples live happily ever after with each other 2k16

Also: the amount of biphobia in this book is atrocious. At first I went along with it, because it was coming from the only straight main character, but then none of it was addressed and there was absolutely no indication that she knew her thoughts were wrong, so really, what was the fucking point?

ericaland's review

3.0

In some ways, I loved this book. But. There’s also one major problem that made me consistently come close to giving up on it. There is a narrator/character who speaks of himself in 3rd person. And refers to himself as ... the Jazter (his name is Ijaz, and is called Jaz). Ugh. Jazter. So cheesy and awful.

encgolsen's review

4.0

Set in Mumbai in the not too distant future, The City of Devi follows Sarita, a thirty-something statistician searching for her husband, Karun, who has disappeared just as the threat of nuclear attack looms over the city. Her perilous journey through the violence-plagued city brings her in contact with Jaz (also known as Ijaz, the Jazster, Jazmine, and when necessary for survival, Gaurav.) Jaz is also looking for Karun, for reasons of his own. Tragicomic and unsettling, this novel definitely made an impression, but I'm still sorting out what I think about it.

houxli's review

challenging funny reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my favorite book.