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A review by pankajmehra
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
3.0
My review is based on the Audio Book with excellent narration by Christopher Simpson. I had seen the movie several years ago so can’t recall which events or how were they adapted for the film.
I remember the furore generated because “the West loves to depict India and Indians in a disgusting, filthy light.” It is therefore difficult for some readers who have commented on this site, to accept that the author is an Indian and a diplomat to boot! So, he is blamed for “pandering to the West!” I have personally witnessed young, homeless boys being buggered by rickshaw pullers late at night in Kashmiri Gate, Delhi; young cousins being molested by “uncles” at family weddings; the treatment of domestic staff by “middle class” families and the complete obliviousness to filth strewn neighborhoods. India exists and survives at multiple levels and only those who approach it with a pair of unjaundiced, nonjudgmental eyes can witness life as it unfolds - not just in India, but anywhere, anytime.
The theme is commendable but the narrative style dull, plodding and repetitive. Usually, I root for the written work over the visual movie but in this instance, the movie wins hands down.
I remember the furore generated because “the West loves to depict India and Indians in a disgusting, filthy light.” It is therefore difficult for some readers who have commented on this site, to accept that the author is an Indian and a diplomat to boot! So, he is blamed for “pandering to the West!” I have personally witnessed young, homeless boys being buggered by rickshaw pullers late at night in Kashmiri Gate, Delhi; young cousins being molested by “uncles” at family weddings; the treatment of domestic staff by “middle class” families and the complete obliviousness to filth strewn neighborhoods. India exists and survives at multiple levels and only those who approach it with a pair of unjaundiced, nonjudgmental eyes can witness life as it unfolds - not just in India, but anywhere, anytime.
The theme is commendable but the narrative style dull, plodding and repetitive. Usually, I root for the written work over the visual movie but in this instance, the movie wins hands down.