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softacademia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Death, Car accident, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual violence, and Alcoholism
maregred's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Vomit, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Car accident, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Abortion, Addiction, Trafficking, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Infidelity, Grief, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism, Pregnancy, and Death
savvyrosereads's review
- 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
4.0
A Mercedes runs over five people on the streets of New Delhi, setting in motion an epic family saga involving three characters from very different backgrounds and families.
Everyone in the world seems to be reading this book recently, and it’s easy to see why—it’s unique and captivating, with beautifully written prose and insightful commentary on class and colonialism. And as literary fiction and a family saga but with a crime fiction edge, Age of Vice has something to offer fans of many different genres.
Still, while I absolutely understand the appeal, I also felt that the book was a bit over-long: it’s nearly 600 pages, but most of that is dedicated to providing a level of deep background into the characters that I didn’t always find necessary. The story is clearly meant to be a slow burn, but I occasionally found it a bit *too* slow, and wanted more plot and action, especially after such an explosive beginning.
All of that said, this book has a lot of positives that outweigh the negatives. The writing is incredibly cinematic and I know that it will make for an incredible miniseries or movie (rights were sold in a bidding war years before publication!) And, the payoff of the ending was big enough that I’ll definitely pick up the second book in the planned trilogy when it releases.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: epic family sagas; The Godfather but set in India; cinematic novels
CW: Sexual assault/rape; child abuse; murder/death/death of parent; drug abuse/use; torture; classism; violence generally
Graphic: Classism, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Murder, Self harm, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Death, Drug use, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, and Confinement
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: Kidnapping, Alcohol, Car accident, Colonisation, Death of parent, Cursing, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Classism
annreadsabook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
We’re introduced to Ajay, a young man uprooted from his rural childhood village to serve in the homes of the wealthy; Sunny, a young heir in a constant struggle with his powerful father; and Neda, a journalist attempting to break into the story of an infamous and violent family. Leading up to and after a deadly accident, these three characters’ lives are entangled across time, socioeconomic status, and space. This novel is a riveting drama that I think literary fiction and crime thriller fans alike can enjoy.
This book is not a light read by any means, and it is full of antiheroes and villains, but there’s something to be said about the deep complexity with which Kapoor crafts each of the main characters. There is evil, there is corruption, but there is also pain and longing.
Anyway, I think this is one book you’ll absolutely want to have on your radar when it comes out January 2023, especially if you’re looking for a The Godfather-esque read.
Thanks so much to Riverhead Books for the gifted copy!
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Abortion