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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Beautiful, warm and interesting book that feels like coming home to old friends when you read it.
Finally coming back and trying to gather my thoughts about this absolute gargantuan read. 1500 pages is certainly a record for me!
When describing this book to friends I loosely describe it as “Indian Pride and Prejudice” which isn’t fair to either work, but helps to summarise the complex and interwoven story lines and social commentary of this novel through the comparison.
Supposedly this book is about finding a “suitable boy” for Lata (for whom there are three suitors in the book). Not wanting to spoil anything, I was genuinely surprised by the ending.
However on the journey to understanding these suitors and Lata understanding herself, the novel dives into complex issues of religion, caste, sexuality, family, alcohol, politics, capitalism, and all of life. There were times I was heart broken, intrigued, afraid, and honestly bored.
I recommend it if you’re looking for a marathon and a deeper dive into cultural issues of this slice of Indian life described by Seth.
When describing this book to friends I loosely describe it as “Indian Pride and Prejudice” which isn’t fair to either work, but helps to summarise the complex and interwoven story lines and social commentary of this novel through the comparison.
Supposedly this book is about finding a “suitable boy” for Lata (for whom there are three suitors in the book). Not wanting to spoil anything, I was genuinely surprised by the ending.
However on the journey to understanding these suitors and Lata understanding herself, the novel dives into complex issues of religion, caste, sexuality, family, alcohol, politics, capitalism, and all of life. There were times I was heart broken, intrigued, afraid, and honestly bored.
I recommend it if you’re looking for a marathon and a deeper dive into cultural issues of this slice of Indian life described by Seth.
I found that this book was long, drawn out and anticlimactic. It was highly recommended to me by others, but for some reason I just did not like it at all. I stuck though it and finished all 1600+ pages, but in the end it really disappointed me.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
wow, this book could easily be three books
Huge saga circling round 4 families in India shortly after becoming a republic with all the turmoil that brings with it.
Wonderfully written, captivating and epic
Huge saga circling round 4 families in India shortly after becoming a republic with all the turmoil that brings with it.
Wonderfully written, captivating and epic
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes