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berylbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sarah3492's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Violence, Kidnapping, Abortion, and Murder
savheath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual violence, Abortion, Murder, and Sexual harassment
smileitsfree's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Trafficking, and Car accident
Moderate: Rape
anniesbookpicks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
15ash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Car accident, Abortion, Murder, and Classism
booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It takes place in India and features the main characters of Ajay, Sunny and Neda. They all have their own stories but are all intrinsically linked and it follows their lives as they all navigate the social and political tensions stemming from Sunny’s family and their dealings with organized crime.
This book reminded me of Succession in some ways, in regards to Sunny being the heir to his fathers wealth and not always being worthy of that from the viewpoint of his father.
I heard that this is the first book of a trilogy and I will absolutely be waiting for the next two books because I am dying to see what happens next with these characters.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Trafficking and Abortion
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
From the first page, the story is gripping. They find Ajay in an expensive car, wrecked, which killed people. He is sent to prison, when he beats up some gang members who attack him, the warden tells him:
“ There’s been a mistake. I wasn’t told,” he says. “If I’d been told, this would never have happened. Really, no one knew, not even your friends. But things will be different. You’ll be taken to your friends here now. You’ll be free, within reason. And this unfortunate business with those other men, this will be forgotten…. You should have said something. You should have made it clear. You should have let us know. Why didn’t you let us know?”
Ajay stares at the food, at the cigarette pack. “Know what?”
The warden smiles. “That you’re a Wadia man.”
So then, we go back in time, to learn what it means that he’s a Wadia man. Later, we meet the infamous and wealthy Sunny Wadia, and Neda, the reporter; and how their lives all intersect. I loved each of these characters (until the end).
Part One
“…no one abuses him or threatens to kill him. It’s a better life than any he’s ever hoped for or known.” New Delhi 2004 / 4
“And he discovers something else: It gives him pleasure to please, it gives him pleasure to anticipate every possible need, not just Mummy’s and Daddy’s but everyone’s, the farm workers’, the animals’, the shopkeepers’ pleasure. Not just pleasure, not really, more like the stanching of a wound, more like the holding of a tide, a sacrifice, negating the trauma of his birth.” Maharajganj 1991 / 5
“The girls often ask about him. But he’s too shy; he recoils. He cannot conceive of it, his own body terrifies him, his own needs. He likes to set himself within limits; those limits keep him strong.” Maharajganj 1991 / 6
“Madam,” he replies. “Don’t tell us about our culture. We’re not zoo animals for your pleasure, not the smiling native to accessorize your enlightenment. The simplicity and honesty you think you know is simply your eyes deceiving your brain. …If you knew our culture, you’d know respect is one currency, but at the end of the day, money talks. Finally, understand this one thing. India is our country, not yours. You are guests here. We are great hosts, but don’t disrespect us in our own home.” Ch 7
“I’m tired. I’m stuck between the shit my father does and the things I can’t do.” Ch 15
“…she understood in that moment how the sources of strength are illusory.” Ch 15
“The chains of existence … have to be weak enough to break.” Ch 15
“Remember, nothing will change, this is Kali Yuga, the losing age, the age of vice.” Ch 16
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Police brutality, Abortion, and Abandonment
hilaryreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Car accident, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Abortion
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicide