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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This story is good as itself, but if you are expecting a literary version of Slumdog Millionaire, you are going to be disappointed. Lots of depressing stories fill the pages, though the end is uplifting. The premise is the same as the movie (or, more accurately, the movie copied the overall premise of the book): poor boy, goes on a game show, arrested for cheating, his story is told through each question.
I saw the movie first, so I didn't like the book as much, but the story was still compelling, though extremely different.
I had not seen the movie so I didn’t know why to expect. I think I would watch the movie now.
A fun book with filled with tragic stories, (that shouldn’t be possible, but oddly enough it’s true) this novel was supposedly the inspiration for the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I remember liking the movie, and this book is of a similar premise but with different but just as entertaining details. The characters and writing style were simple, but there was still enough depth to the characters to make me feel for them. The Indian cultural and geographic references were done well, although a few web searches were required to get the full meanings. Lots of tiffins which I learned were little lunch or snack boxes that are delivered by dabbawalas, companies that make and bring them to customers. So I enjoyed the story and learned a few things.
Except for the basic story structure of a winner of game show being accused of cheating describing how, by chance, he learned each of the answers through his harrowing life experiences this book is nothing like the film. A really interesting study in how to adapt a book to film. Both the movie and the book are great. The book succeeds largely on the charisma of its main character and the distinct and engaging supporting cast (caste?). Ram is engaging, hilarious and honest and all the people he meets come fully-formed. You can critique the book's happenstance plotting (it can feel at times like an Indian Forrest Gump), but that is the whole point and faulting the author for that does you no good. Just enjoy the story.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced