A review by j_laws_tagg
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

4.0

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.