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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
If I hadn't been reading this for book group, I probably would have stopped early on, but not because of any flaw in the book. The things that happen to people around Ram (and by extension, affect him) are occasionally so horrible that I wanted to cry. However, I am VERY glad that I kept reading, because the ending is worth it. (I almost got teary-eyed.)
If you saw the movie, the only similarity is the fact that a poor, uneducated Indian boy goes on a game show and because of his experiences, he can answer all 12 questions. That's apparently it. So, forget the movie and go pick up the book. And then don't put it down!
If you saw the movie, the only similarity is the fact that a poor, uneducated Indian boy goes on a game show and because of his experiences, he can answer all 12 questions. That's apparently it. So, forget the movie and go pick up the book. And then don't put it down!
It definitely didn't live up to the hype that surrounded it (though I haven't seen the movie, so maybe that's a better medium for this story? Who knows.) But it occupied my time well enough.
I have not seen the movie and listened to the audiobook which I believe enhanced the experience. It was a wonderfully real story that I enjoyed every minute of. I have read several reviews that were upset with the depiction of the homosexual scenes of the book and I disagree with them. I think the writer does a very good job of depicting the TRUE response of a child who encounters a graphic sexual scene no matter the partners involved. Considering the context of the culture and the social status of the character the writer does a fine job.
This was a short story dragged out with unnecessary dialouge and stories. A sensationalized sterotype against the Indian nation of pure poverty and degradation. The blatant fat shaming and homphobia were rife within the pages. Danny Boyle did the author a favor and made this into a movie becuase if not if would just gade into the background.
I didn't actually finished because about 70% in, it fell over the cliche cliff for me. The first half was really good, though.
Finished it last night. I liked it, but the book felt a bit flat, given what happens in the book, there is just not much emotion. Maybe it has something to do with how accepted those things are in India. But I also didn't feel the emotion, when according to the words there should have been emotion. It was a bit dead to me.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great story. Heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Heartbreaking because of it's raw truth about reality of life for most of the population in India - extreme poverty, child labor and slavery, prostitution, hunger, mental and physical abuse, disease. And heartwarming, because despite all that, there is still kindness and a sense of community
I read half of this in paperback and listened to the rest on audio. One word about audio book - I think it would have been so much better if the narrator wasn't an American trying his best to do an Indian accent. this was a great opportunity to diversify narrators and actually get an Indian to read this story, but it was missed.
I read half of this in paperback and listened to the rest on audio. One word about audio book - I think it would have been so much better if the narrator wasn't an American trying his best to do an Indian accent. this was a great opportunity to diversify narrators and actually get an Indian to read this story, but it was missed.
Great series of vignettes about a young boy growing up in poverty in India, woven together through a frame story of him winning "Who Wants to Win a Billion?". Wonderfully told story that is at times tragic and at times comic. The movie "Slumdog Millionaire" was based off of this (but somewhat changed).
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really interesting narrative structure. Love that it takes place in the game show cinematic universe