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schomj's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea that I knew so little about India's political situation. I mean, I scan headlines now and again so I'd heard the names of some of the incidents discussed here, but also I had No Idea what has actually been happening. It's all very colonialist and supremacist and dystopian in a way that makes me think of Arkady Martine's work.
emoweaboo's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting take on capitalism (specificaly crony capitalism) that shows why "ethical capitalism" is impossible to achieve. Roy's writing is caustic and you can feel her anger through her pen. I do think the book requires to have a bit of knowledge about India's political climate, otherwise it becomes dense and hard to follow. While I don't always agree with everything, I think it should be something everyone interested in (specially Indian) politics should get their hands on, if only to challenge their views.
soafricane's review against another edition
4.0
The examinations Roy presents here could be extended to any part of the world where global capitalism has wreaked its havoc in variegated ways.
Short with gorgeous prose. Recommend!
Short with gorgeous prose. Recommend!
raintaxi's review against another edition
5.0
- given that my indian cbse history/pol sci education was completely useless,, this was a great introduction to some of the social/political/economic intricacies of india
- we never talk abt the lower castes, the poor, the adivasis in a way that isnt self serving to the upper middle class that dont have to deal
- side note: india's education system is fucked
- she touches on how capitalism/industrialization/militarization/nationalism all relate to each other in a way thats super accessible and still retains it's nuance
- at the end of the book, she poses her demands which is something ive never seen done so explicitly and concisely in a non-fic before,,, i wish there was additional reading to tie in each of those demands with the previous essay but not necessary for my comprehension of the book
- time to read all her other books!!
- we never talk abt the lower castes, the poor, the adivasis in a way that isnt self serving to the upper middle class that dont have to deal
- side note: india's education system is fucked
- she touches on how capitalism/industrialization/militarization/nationalism all relate to each other in a way thats super accessible and still retains it's nuance
- at the end of the book, she poses her demands which is something ive never seen done so explicitly and concisely in a non-fic before,,, i wish there was additional reading to tie in each of those demands with the previous essay but not necessary for my comprehension of the book
- time to read all her other books!!
indielitttttt's review against another edition
4.0
A great short read that summarizes the woes of capitalism in India and beyond. Roy discusses the extreme negative impact that corporations have on government and elections & police and military forces. She examines corporate philanthropy and how so many of the worlds artistic, academic, and social programs are funded and shaped by billionaires. She also dives into how capitalism is one of the biggest influencers of racism and inequality.
fearandtrembling's review against another edition
3.0
Brief and eye-opening. My main issue was that it was too short. I flipped the page for more and was like, What.
It's a collection of linked essays and she writes about complex political issues with clarity. Sometimes this can come off a little basic but it's a solid primer for people who want to know more about the politics that inform her second novel. This is essentially the nonfiction version of it.
I found the sections on the increasingly far-right Indian security state & Kashmir especially useful.
It's a collection of linked essays and she writes about complex political issues with clarity. Sometimes this can come off a little basic but it's a solid primer for people who want to know more about the politics that inform her second novel. This is essentially the nonfiction version of it.
I found the sections on the increasingly far-right Indian security state & Kashmir especially useful.