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autisticbucky's review against another edition
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, Vomit, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
duskx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy unfurls like a melancholic hymn, weaving the fragility of human emotions with the relentless weight of societal expectations. Set in the verdant heart of Kerala, India, the novel traces the invisible tremors of small, fleeting moments—moments that ripple through time, shattering lives and leaving deep scars. Through this tapestry of love, loss, and caste-bound constraints, Roy paints a portrait of a family fractured by the quiet cruelty of the world around them, haunted by their own unspoken pain.
Rather than diving into the plot, I’d argue the true brilliance of this novel lies in Roy’s prose. Her writing is both lyrical and evocative, almost poetic, a fusion that captures the fragility and quiet despair of the world she constructs. Her imagery is unforgettable: crisp dead insects littering the floor, the wilted arum lilies atop the child’s coffin, the aroma of red fish curry cooked with black tamarind, the stench of old urine lingering in the air. It’s a symphony of senses, combining both beauty and decay, woven together with such precision that each line feels like an incantation.
In Roy’s hands, small moments become monumental. The sound of innocent laugh basking in sunlight, and then, almost imperceptibly, bitter lies ignite like kindling, swelling into devastating fires. A weak protest, dismissed at first, is shattered beyond repair. The narrative reverberates with gut-wrenching sobs, hollow laughter, deafening curses, and late apologies drenched in vertiginous guilt. It is a cacophony of regret that buzzes, swelling with a delirious intensity.
Slapping. Cursing. Spitting. Kicking. Stomping.
Each revelation carves deeper, unraveling the delicate threads of hope. What begins with an air of innocence and optimism spirals into a chasm—vast, dark, and unrelenting—until every flicker of light is consumed. The tension tightens gradually, each moment more harrowing than the last.
The characters are just as intricately crafted—vivid, multi-dimensional, and tethered to the weight of societal and familial expectations. Forbidden love, caste oppression, and dysfunctional familial bonds pulse through the narrative, adding complexity without sacrificing the nuanced portrayal of human emotion and interaction.
I almost put this book down at the (child) sexual assault scene, but since Rosh recommended it to me, I mustered the grit and determination to keep going. I’m glad I did because this is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literary fiction that is as beautifully written as it is socially relevant. While its fragmented structure and constant shifts in time can be disorienting, and the prose, at times, quite dense, the novel remains an essential read.
Rather than diving into the plot, I’d argue the true brilliance of this novel lies in Roy’s prose. Her writing is both lyrical and evocative, almost poetic, a fusion that captures the fragility and quiet despair of the world she constructs. Her imagery is unforgettable: crisp dead insects littering the floor, the wilted arum lilies atop the child’s coffin, the aroma of red fish curry cooked with black tamarind, the stench of old urine lingering in the air. It’s a symphony of senses, combining both beauty and decay, woven together with such precision that each line feels like an incantation.
In Roy’s hands, small moments become monumental. The sound of innocent laugh basking in sunlight, and then, almost imperceptibly, bitter lies ignite like kindling, swelling into devastating fires. A weak protest, dismissed at first, is shattered beyond repair. The narrative reverberates with gut-wrenching sobs, hollow laughter, deafening curses, and late apologies drenched in vertiginous guilt. It is a cacophony of regret that buzzes, swelling with a delirious intensity.
Slapping. Cursing. Spitting. Kicking. Stomping.
Each revelation carves deeper, unraveling the delicate threads of hope. What begins with an air of innocence and optimism spirals into a chasm—vast, dark, and unrelenting—until every flicker of light is consumed. The tension tightens gradually, each moment more harrowing than the last.
The characters are just as intricately crafted—vivid, multi-dimensional, and tethered to the weight of societal and familial expectations. Forbidden love, caste oppression, and dysfunctional familial bonds pulse through the narrative, adding complexity without sacrificing the nuanced portrayal of human emotion and interaction.
I almost put this book down at the (child) sexual assault scene, but since Rosh recommended it to me, I mustered the grit and determination to keep going. I’m glad I did because this is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literary fiction that is as beautifully written as it is socially relevant. While its fragmented structure and constant shifts in time can be disorienting, and the prose, at times, quite dense, the novel remains an essential read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
awoodward1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This attempts to be an epic tale of India's class struggle, castle system and family and sexual politics. I didn't feel it was quite pulled off. In the early stages, too much effort is spent teasing the action to come in the final act, and as a result for at least the first half I just felt anxious about what was to come. The balance is also off between literary descriptions of the setting vs. genuine character development - particularly of the star crossed lovers. This makes the first two thirds a slog, although the final third is pacey and action packed. There are some uncomfortable moments involving the twins too which I would rather not have read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse
haleyshort's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was one of the most beautifully crafted books I’ve ever read. It was devastating on so many different levels and really challenging to read but definitely worth working through. I will be thinking about it for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
jasshicks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
heartofchar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Hate crime
storykotori's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
suheshjanardhanan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Incest
mnasr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
God of small things definitely deserves the attention it has gotten. Set in Ayenmen, Kerala, the narration takes a deep dive into the casteism, taboos around love and the different standards held for men and women (often held up by other women) when it comes to love and sex.
Despite being heavy, the writing style was still quite enjoyable. The descriptions were strange yet vivid and accurate. Many descriptions definitely unsettled me but that only increased the quality of the narration. This novel is supposed to be unsettling and the descriptions build that aura most aptly. Due to the thick and heavy writing style it did take me a while to get through it.
In my opinion it is primarily a socio-political commentary presented as a narration and might require the right head space for some to enjoy.
Despite being heavy, the writing style was still quite enjoyable. The descriptions were strange yet vivid and accurate. Many descriptions definitely unsettled me but that only increased the quality of the narration. This novel is supposed to be unsettling and the descriptions build that aura most aptly. Due to the thick and heavy writing style it did take me a while to get through it.
In my opinion it is primarily a socio-political commentary presented as a narration and might require the right head space for some to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, and Violence
Moderate: Incest and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism
pranati_pathak05's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment