A review by sabs98
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

dark emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a heart-wrenching story of pain, loss, and lifelong trauma. My heart breaks for Estha most of all, but for Rahel and Velutha, as well. Though there were many different avenues for pain to enter the lives of the two-egg twins, the way I see it, growing up in a house with a woman full of poisonous resentment and self-preservation to no end was the biggest factor of their suffering. I wanted to punch Baby Kochamma in the face multiple times throughout the story. For me, this book (perfectly) captures the silenced fury, the poignant heartbreak, the helplessness that can only be evoked by prejudiced systems designed keep certain, good-hearted, average people fearful and small, and to keep other fearful yet dangerously arrogant people powerful and important.
Although it was annoying at times to me, Roy's style of narration is very unique and intentional, and in the last 50 or so pages of the book the purpose of narrating in certain ways became clear to me. I would love to read this book again to understand better Roy's literary artistry (only after I've recovered from this heartbreak).
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