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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Nice...this book is the basis for the wonderful movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Although the premise is the same, (dirt poor, uneducated Mumbai teen mysteriously answers all the trivia questions on a game show correctly, then explains in flashback how each question is connected to a traumatic life experience) the stories in the book don't hold together as well, and the ending is far weaker. However,some of the individual stories have a terrific creepy quality. Much more emphasis on the frequent degradation of lower class Indian women and the ferocious attacks on Muslims than show up in the movie.
India is a place that is its own world, and one can only understand the gravity of this statement if one has visited the country. I myself have never been, but my friends and family who have all describe it the same. Likewise, every novel I've read set in India - A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry) and Midnight's Children (Salman Rushdie) having had the greatest impact on me - have been incredibly unique to other Western novels, but on the same wave length as each another. Q&A is no different. The story and structure was engaging and interesting, and I was compelled to consume the novel in its entirety. However, it differs from other Indian literature in my enjoyment, as I have many issues with Swarup's writing style, the way he explored the issue of homosexuality, and the novel's climax and resolution.
The golden rule of effective writing is 'show, don't tell', and I feel as if Vikas Swarup has yet to master this. There is little description, and the little there is reads superficially and jolting. It is possible this was chosen as a narrative device to remind the audience that each story takes place through Ram's narration and needs to stay consistent with this, but there is room for improvement regardless. Balance in first-person is required between narration and imagery to truly reach the subtle depth needed to alter a reader's perspective on something, or to make them feel at the least. Ram may not be educated, but he is still a reliable narrator. Parallels can be drawn with the writing style of Rushdie through Saleem Sinai (Midnight's Children), a young character living through significant changes in India's history, who manages to find this balance between breathtaking descriptive paragraphs heavy with sub-text, and still maintain the narrative point of view and the naivety of the character. I felt frustration reading pivotal parts of the novel, as I knew there was another layer of feeling I could permeate, but with a lack of depth, was unable to. It was a fantastic idea, which reads in the captivating story, but may have needed a more experienced author to truly capture its charm.
Sexism within India is prominent within the novel, and is highlighted by the disturbing contexts of many of the women Ram meets, and tries desperately to save and seek justice for. The tentative issue of rape is addressed, as well as abuse, and the psychological damage it inflicts. This was well explored, and effective. Each female character was well-rounded and three-dimensional, and unique to each other. Their pain and suffering were both their own, and the women’s who deal with it on an everyday basis in the slums. The same effectiveness cannot be said for Swarup's handling of homosexual characters early in the novel, these being Father John and Armaan Ali. When each is exposed, it is done in a way that is either pedophilic or shaming. Armaan tries to molest a young boy, Father John is portrayed as sickening and dishonourable. It can be argued that both instances expose other truths about institutions, such as fame, and how it allows sadistic people power to do as they please, and religion, and the hypocrisy surrounding the Church (which is touched upon earlier in the novel). Nevertheless, one issue cannot be forsaken for another if itself is not done justice. Salim, Ram's best friend and the first main supporting character introduced, hates gay people, and there is no justification as to why, and no instance when the reader should think otherwise, especially with the consequences of the exploits of the two homosexual characters. It was upsetting for me to read, and is overlooked in both the film, where the characters don't appear, or in other reviews or literature about the novel I have searched online. Swarup has never mentioned this decision, which leads me to think that he holds these views himself as there is no evidence otherwise.
Finally, the conclusion and epilogue of the novel was very disappointing. It had a very 'Hollywood'/'Bollywood' resolution where we are told the happy fates of all the characters who lived, and it was all 'happily ever after'. It reads rushed, and fake – white washed; it tarnishes the reality of poor living in India that Ram lives through and ruthlessly narrates. The epilogue wasn't necessary at all, the tying of loose ends leaves no room for imagination for the reader and leaves one unsatisfied. I don't think there needed to be more tragedy, and the conclusion of the second-last chapter would have been enough, if it was explored more, instead of quickly wrapped up.
Overall, the story won me over from totally disliking the novel, and the charming protagonist. I believe I will enjoy the movie more than the novel because of my criticism of the writing. I wish I hadn't felt as underwhelmed by the ending as I did, but I did enjoy reading the novel nevertheless. I don’t feel changed at all, which to me is the mark of a bad novel, which is reflected in my low rating.
The golden rule of effective writing is 'show, don't tell', and I feel as if Vikas Swarup has yet to master this. There is little description, and the little there is reads superficially and jolting. It is possible this was chosen as a narrative device to remind the audience that each story takes place through Ram's narration and needs to stay consistent with this, but there is room for improvement regardless. Balance in first-person is required between narration and imagery to truly reach the subtle depth needed to alter a reader's perspective on something, or to make them feel at the least. Ram may not be educated, but he is still a reliable narrator. Parallels can be drawn with the writing style of Rushdie through Saleem Sinai (Midnight's Children), a young character living through significant changes in India's history, who manages to find this balance between breathtaking descriptive paragraphs heavy with sub-text, and still maintain the narrative point of view and the naivety of the character. I felt frustration reading pivotal parts of the novel, as I knew there was another layer of feeling I could permeate, but with a lack of depth, was unable to. It was a fantastic idea, which reads in the captivating story, but may have needed a more experienced author to truly capture its charm.
Sexism within India is prominent within the novel, and is highlighted by the disturbing contexts of many of the women Ram meets, and tries desperately to save and seek justice for. The tentative issue of rape is addressed, as well as abuse, and the psychological damage it inflicts. This was well explored, and effective. Each female character was well-rounded and three-dimensional, and unique to each other. Their pain and suffering were both their own, and the women’s who deal with it on an everyday basis in the slums. The same effectiveness cannot be said for Swarup's handling of homosexual characters early in the novel, these being Father John and Armaan Ali. When each is exposed, it is done in a way that is either pedophilic or shaming. Armaan tries to molest a young boy, Father John is portrayed as sickening and dishonourable. It can be argued that both instances expose other truths about institutions, such as fame, and how it allows sadistic people power to do as they please, and religion, and the hypocrisy surrounding the Church (which is touched upon earlier in the novel). Nevertheless, one issue cannot be forsaken for another if itself is not done justice. Salim, Ram's best friend and the first main supporting character introduced, hates gay people, and there is no justification as to why, and no instance when the reader should think otherwise, especially with the consequences of the exploits of the two homosexual characters. It was upsetting for me to read, and is overlooked in both the film, where the characters don't appear, or in other reviews or literature about the novel I have searched online. Swarup has never mentioned this decision, which leads me to think that he holds these views himself as there is no evidence otherwise.
Finally, the conclusion and epilogue of the novel was very disappointing. It had a very 'Hollywood'/'Bollywood' resolution where we are told the happy fates of all the characters who lived, and it was all 'happily ever after'. It reads rushed, and fake – white washed; it tarnishes the reality of poor living in India that Ram lives through and ruthlessly narrates. The epilogue wasn't necessary at all, the tying of loose ends leaves no room for imagination for the reader and leaves one unsatisfied. I don't think there needed to be more tragedy, and the conclusion of the second-last chapter would have been enough, if it was explored more, instead of quickly wrapped up.
Overall, the story won me over from totally disliking the novel, and the charming protagonist. I believe I will enjoy the movie more than the novel because of my criticism of the writing. I wish I hadn't felt as underwhelmed by the ending as I did, but I did enjoy reading the novel nevertheless. I don’t feel changed at all, which to me is the mark of a bad novel, which is reflected in my low rating.
I didn't know that Slumdog Millionaire was based on a book, so when I saw my library had this as it's book of the month, I snapped it up. I liked it, but it was a totally different story than the movie (isn't it always?). I found the view of life in India very interesting--it's not a country I know very much about.
This book is about resiliance. For four days, I felt like I lived with Ram and witnessed his triumphs and misfortunes. I was filled with equal parts frustration and anger with the irony of a lot of the stories. Despite what seemed like daunting circumstances, Ram always put others ahead of himself and managed to touch so many! Nice guys don't always finish last...
I actually thought I wasn't going to like this audio book but I was hooked ten minutes in. It's an innovative way to tell a character's story.. very interesting.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed Q&A. It has a kind of 'Forrest Gump' feel to it--painfully realistic one moment, and grandly cinematic the next. I thought it was clever and charming (and sometimes heart-breaking), and would make for great beach-reading this summer.
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I could not put this book down and never wanted it to end. It has sucked me in so completely. The story and characters are so vivid and so well developed, and the picture into their life is so vivid. Although the movie Slumdog Millionaire was amazing, it has got NOTHING on the book. The movie, as movies tend to do, stayed focused on the love story which took over the whole plot. The book focused on Ram's life and experiences he had been through ; the love story part of it wasn't even introduced until almost the end, which let the story shine.
An interesting blend of fatalism and determinism, that explores the intricate stitchwork of patterns and colors that make up the tapestry of modern India through compelling characters and captivating narration. The book is quite different from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" but each works very well in its own medium.