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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
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
Very challenging at times because it’s in the 50’s , stories of arranged marriages , it is also very rude at times but i guess it s different culture as well
I also had no idea of the story of Partition of India and creation of Pakistan and the war between Muslims and Hindus in India so it was very educational
The story telling is beautiful, enough details to keep you going but not toooooo much to put you to sleep
‘ “Oh I don’t know how it got to be so long...I’m very undisciplined. I hate long books: the better, the worse. If they’re bad, they merely make me pant with the effort of holding them up for a few minutes. But if they’re good, I turn into a social moron for days, refusing to go out of my room, scowling and growling at interruptions, ignoring weddings and funerals, and making enemies out of friends.” ‘
I loved this book from the first chapter and was so disappointed when I finished, despite it being so long. I have read lots of books since that are also set in India but none hold a candle to this. The first time I read it I skimmed the political chapters. The second time I went straight through, enthralled with all of it. Delightful.
There is something about train rides. Maybe it's because I HATE flying, maybe it's the beautiful places outside the window, who knows? There is something about riding trains. During my last train ride, I was seated next to a woman who loved to read, so course we began to trade you should read this lists.
And there is nothing better than that.
This was one of the books she recommended. I saw it at a used bookstore in the three volume edition (which was cheaper than the one volume edition), and considering the length of the books, it might be better this way (you can't overdose).
Rita was right. This is a good book.
A Suitable Boy tells the story of several Indian families. At the heart of the story lies Lata, whose mother wants to find her a suitable man to marry. This means, at least to her mother, a boy who has good prospects, isn't a muslim, and is the right shade.
Yes, we Americans aren't the only ones hung up on color and religion.
I don't know much about the history of India, short of the general knowledge that one gets in a World History class taught by a good professor. It seems that Seth captures not only the varying classes (as opposed to caste; the characters seem to be from the same caste) but also the political climate. The book (three books) is massive but it is like a more personal version of [a:Edward Rutherfurd|16204|Edward Rutherfurd|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1206127588p2/16204.jpg], as well as more narrowed in terms of time. To be honest, at times one can wonder where extactly the story is going but then passages of beauty pop in and you don't care. Seth lets his characters be who they are, and there several conflicts going on at different levels.
After reading the massive [b:2666|3115359|2666|Roberto Bolaño|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255598110s/3115359.jpg|3294830]. I think I prefer this shorter (though still long) way. It allows you to break the story up and not get overwhelmed.
And there is nothing better than that.
This was one of the books she recommended. I saw it at a used bookstore in the three volume edition (which was cheaper than the one volume edition), and considering the length of the books, it might be better this way (you can't overdose).
Rita was right. This is a good book.
A Suitable Boy tells the story of several Indian families. At the heart of the story lies Lata, whose mother wants to find her a suitable man to marry. This means, at least to her mother, a boy who has good prospects, isn't a muslim, and is the right shade.
Yes, we Americans aren't the only ones hung up on color and religion.
I don't know much about the history of India, short of the general knowledge that one gets in a World History class taught by a good professor. It seems that Seth captures not only the varying classes (as opposed to caste; the characters seem to be from the same caste) but also the political climate. The book (three books) is massive but it is like a more personal version of [a:Edward Rutherfurd|16204|Edward Rutherfurd|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1206127588p2/16204.jpg], as well as more narrowed in terms of time. To be honest, at times one can wonder where extactly the story is going but then passages of beauty pop in and you don't care. Seth lets his characters be who they are, and there several conflicts going on at different levels.
After reading the massive [b:2666|3115359|2666|Roberto Bolaño|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255598110s/3115359.jpg|3294830]. I think I prefer this shorter (though still long) way. It allows you to break the story up and not get overwhelmed.
Good conclusion to a wonderful book that tells the stories of interlinked families during India's birth. Wonderful.
The sage continues. It's like a soap opera, but better and not as stupid.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I FINISHED!!!
And I am sad - profoundly and deeply sad - because I, well, finished.
And I never wanted this book to end. Yes, it's over 1300 pages
(hardback). Yes, it's extremely awkward to carry, especially if you're
hauling it to work everyday, or to the beach on your week off, or
balancing it precariously on your lap on the metro while the guy next to
you gives you a dirty look because the corners are jabbing into his knees, but you don't care because you're at the part where everything is happening and you can't look away.
There's not much for me to say that hasn't already been said...I am, after all, very late to this party. But goodness - the entire microcosm of not just India but humanity itself is in this book. Every human emotion, every shade of good and evil, every particle of humor and gravity and pathos is here, and not one note rings false.
If there is anything lacking in this book, it is that it ended. If only Vikram Seth had written this in monthly installments, ones that might come every month, guaranteed for the rest of your life, if only to ensure you would never have to separate yourself from these four families that can only become your friends after reading of their lives for so many months...
There is a consolation prize...he's apparently writing a sequel, set in the present, to be released 2013 - entitled _A Suitable Girl_. What's 2 years, after all, in the scope of things? :)
And I am sad - profoundly and deeply sad - because I, well, finished.
And I never wanted this book to end. Yes, it's over 1300 pages
(hardback). Yes, it's extremely awkward to carry, especially if you're
hauling it to work everyday, or to the beach on your week off, or
balancing it precariously on your lap on the metro while the guy next to
you gives you a dirty look because the corners are jabbing into his knees, but you don't care because you're at the part where everything is happening and you can't look away.
There's not much for me to say that hasn't already been said...I am, after all, very late to this party. But goodness - the entire microcosm of not just India but humanity itself is in this book. Every human emotion, every shade of good and evil, every particle of humor and gravity and pathos is here, and not one note rings false.
If there is anything lacking in this book, it is that it ended. If only Vikram Seth had written this in monthly installments, ones that might come every month, guaranteed for the rest of your life, if only to ensure you would never have to separate yourself from these four families that can only become your friends after reading of their lives for so many months...
There is a consolation prize...he's apparently writing a sequel, set in the present, to be released 2013 - entitled _A Suitable Girl_. What's 2 years, after all, in the scope of things? :)