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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I hate reading violent rape scenes in books, so that's the only reason this book wasn't 5 stars for me. Other than that, it's incredible.
Fantastic! Its unique style - very much like a game show the way each chapter ends and the next begins - makes it a very enjoyable read. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! :)
It was weird because I read this book after seeing the film so I basically went in reading this to be pretty much the same. Turns out that actually? The book is nothing like the film. It's kinda weird, I actually usually prefer the book versions of films but this one is so different that it really is like two completely different animals. I have absolutely no idea why they changed the book from Q&A to Slumdog Millionaire because there are far more differences than similarities in the characters journeys and reasonings in each version.
The book was great and a very quick read but it is pretty brutal and dark in places. Ram's life is very complicated (as it was in the film) but somehow in this it feels moreso in this. His start in life was hard, and it got worse and I liked the idea that unlike the film it wasn't told in order.
I think in the film that he was maybe too good a guy, I like that in the book version he is far more complicated. Saleem in the film was the more ambiguous character, but book Saleem is very much a secondary character. In fact, everyone in the book is secondary to Ram. It was interesting to see all these characters flit in and out of his existence and how each one shaped him but I can understand why it was changed - I don't know if it would have made a very satisfying feel good story for the main character to be a killed, who only went on the show to kill the game show host for ills he had done to people in his life and who was trying to raise enough money to buy his prostitute girlfriend off her brother who had been pimping her out since she was 12.
I was a bit disappointed that the love story that was the main aspect of the film wasn't such a main feature in this. I just loved the story between Jamal and Latika in the film, and I was kinda waiting for her, or her representation to show up right from the start because of the historical context their relationship had in the film. That was obviously stupid of me because I know better than to compare books and film, but I couldn't help but wish she had shown up a little sooner.
It was a great book though - really well written and so complex but yeah, pretty brutal. The depictions of torture and child abuse of both physical and sexual are quite difficult to read but they are small flashes which although horrific, don't feel gratuitous. They serve a purpose of shaping this character and the people around him.
The book was great and a very quick read but it is pretty brutal and dark in places. Ram's life is very complicated (as it was in the film) but somehow in this it feels moreso in this. His start in life was hard, and it got worse and I liked the idea that unlike the film it wasn't told in order.
I think in the film that he was maybe too good a guy, I like that in the book version he is far more complicated. Saleem in the film was the more ambiguous character, but book Saleem is very much a secondary character. In fact, everyone in the book is secondary to Ram. It was interesting to see all these characters flit in and out of his existence and how each one shaped him but I can understand why it was changed - I don't know if it would have made a very satisfying feel good story for the main character to be a killed, who only went on the show to kill the game show host for ills he had done to people in his life and who was trying to raise enough money to buy his prostitute girlfriend off her brother who had been pimping her out since she was 12.
I was a bit disappointed that the love story that was the main aspect of the film wasn't such a main feature in this. I just loved the story between Jamal and Latika in the film, and I was kinda waiting for her, or her representation to show up right from the start because of the historical context their relationship had in the film. That was obviously stupid of me because I know better than to compare books and film, but I couldn't help but wish she had shown up a little sooner.
It was a great book though - really well written and so complex but yeah, pretty brutal. The depictions of torture and child abuse of both physical and sexual are quite difficult to read but they are small flashes which although horrific, don't feel gratuitous. They serve a purpose of shaping this character and the people around him.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book reminded me of Postcards by Annie Proulx because it tells the history of a country through one main character. It seems that every bad thing that could possibly happen in India happens to this character. The writing is vivid, at times funny and at times horrifying. The jumps in time were hard to follow in the audio book format, and the main character seemed more like a type of person than a believable character.
I absolutely adored the style and pacing of this book. The prominent issues within the story are explored throughout and Ram’s incredible story will stay with you for a long time.
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
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