Scan barcode
jeanetterenee's review against another edition
3.0
Another one I tried because it was in "1001 Books." I wouldn't say it's a must read. Kind of interesting, but not great. This book would probably have more appeal for people who are from India (like the author) and can relate more to the places and customs. I will say I enjoyed the last part, Part III, much more than the first two parts.
The story is about an Indian Brahmin boy who goes to Benares to continue his college studies. He meets some expats (English and French) and is bewildered by many of their attitudes and behaviors. An interesting viewpoint, showing how foreigners appear to the native people.
The story is about an Indian Brahmin boy who goes to Benares to continue his college studies. He meets some expats (English and French) and is bewildered by many of their attitudes and behaviors. An interesting viewpoint, showing how foreigners appear to the native people.
jnepal's review against another edition
3.0
Not the kind of book I usually enjoy all that much because of the focus on emotional angst in the midst of sex, but the book manifests enough of other topics that it kept me as a friend.
rkapil7's review against another edition
4.0
This is quintessential coming of age novel. Although both the story is dull and the main point behind writing (when we seek other we remain unhappy something like that I read in the review of this book) the novel still remains obscure for me. However the writing style of the author is commendable. The way he creates varanasi for us is magical. The way he writes on the nuance experiences of growing up and the mix of cultures is noteworthy.
May be the reason for this book remaining unpopular would be the dull story line, otherwise if you are looking for above things in a novel then I would recommend it.
May be the reason for this book remaining unpopular would be the dull story line, otherwise if you are looking for above things in a novel then I would recommend it.
ecila's review against another edition
4.0
A slow moving novel for me, (Though that may be due to my unfamiliarity with the setting / world in which he describes) which quickened during the final part of the book. But Pankaj Mishra writes beautifully & cinematically; effortlessly capturing the poignance of fleeting, every day moments.
sputniksweetheart's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
le13anna's review against another edition
hmmm I just couldn't make myself finish it. Nothing was happening.
asuph's review against another edition
4.0
Pankaj Mishra's first and only fiction, The Romantics, is an engaging read on many levels. The slow pace, the lack of any real story, could be a turn off for many, but it's rarely been an issue for me. Samar, Mishra's hero, seems to be be a reflection of author's young self, given that the narrator seems to be very much extension of the author's voice, if one has read Butter Chicken ...
Set in Banares, the writing is evocative, and sometimes that can be an problem because Mishra seems to be really going nowhere, till he's explained every nook can cranny of the backdrop. In fact he doesn't stop at places: even minor human characters get a special treatment in terms of being explained. The characters themselves are interesting, and Mishra touches upon many themes and sub-themes of the time, many relevant even now.
Not for everyone, but could pleasantly surprise a few, like it surprised me.
Set in Banares, the writing is evocative, and sometimes that can be an problem because Mishra seems to be really going nowhere, till he's explained every nook can cranny of the backdrop. In fact he doesn't stop at places: even minor human characters get a special treatment in terms of being explained. The characters themselves are interesting, and Mishra touches upon many themes and sub-themes of the time, many relevant even now.
Not for everyone, but could pleasantly surprise a few, like it surprised me.
ecila's review against another edition
4.0
A slow moving novel for me, (Though that may be due to my unfamiliarity with the setting / world in which he describes) which quickened during the final part of the book. But Pankaj Mishra writes beautifully & cinematically; effortlessly capturing the poignance of fleeting, every day moments.