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gingermojito's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book I read in 2018, and one of the best books I have ever read.
When I was in the middle of reading the book earlier this year, I had dinner with my parents and two of their coworkers, both from India (now living in the States). I mentioned I was reading a book that took place in India, and I had an understanding that this book is controversial, especially in India, but I wasn't sure if they were familiar with it. When I mentioned the name, I was met with groans and eyerolls- I forget if they read the book themselves, but Arundhati Roy and her novel are not well-received in her home country.
It is emotional, and is driven forward by lust, greed, disgust, and fear. It's cynical and poignant, which is so difficult to pull off from the point of view of children (the book mostly focuses on Rahel, and a little lesser so her twin brother Estha, who are 7 when most of the book's events take place, but we also follow them in their early 30's, and a few other characters). As time progresses, the characters recede into past history while their surroundings progress forward and are lost or broken down by time. Who can blame them? They've lived troubling lives, defined by a life-changing series of events that occurred in 1969.
Don't get me wrong: this book is disgusting. It's grotesque, it's unpleasant, it's "sticky" (read it and you'll know what I mean), it's disturbing, it's pessimistic, and it's overtly sexual. There are certain scenes in particular which may be particularly uncomfortable for some people to read, partially due to the events that actually occur and partially due to Roy's repugnant descriptions. But this style of writing makes the book one of the most unique I have ever read, and really, really lends itself to the novel's dark story and tone. I've read books that attempt to grapple with depressing themes or plots, while using language, form, setting, and events that are basic, simplistic, passive, or even just boring. It! Doesn't! Work! Not everyone wants to read or write a gut-wrenching novel. But if you're going to read or write one, it better be good. And Roy's style is so, so well suited to this type of book.
TLDR: If you want a book that's all smiles, don't read this. This book is definitively no-smiles. It's also gross and controversial. But oh my God it's really good.
When I was in the middle of reading the book earlier this year, I had dinner with my parents and two of their coworkers, both from India (now living in the States). I mentioned I was reading a book that took place in India, and I had an understanding that this book is controversial, especially in India, but I wasn't sure if they were familiar with it. When I mentioned the name, I was met with groans and eyerolls- I forget if they read the book themselves, but Arundhati Roy and her novel are not well-received in her home country.
It is emotional, and is driven forward by lust, greed, disgust, and fear. It's cynical and poignant, which is so difficult to pull off from the point of view of children (the book mostly focuses on Rahel, and a little lesser so her twin brother Estha, who are 7 when most of the book's events take place, but we also follow them in their early 30's, and a few other characters). As time progresses, the characters recede into past history while their surroundings progress forward and are lost or broken down by time. Who can blame them? They've lived troubling lives, defined by a life-changing series of events that occurred in 1969.
Don't get me wrong: this book is disgusting. It's grotesque, it's unpleasant, it's "sticky" (read it and you'll know what I mean), it's disturbing, it's pessimistic, and it's overtly sexual. There are certain scenes in particular which may be particularly uncomfortable for some people to read, partially due to the events that actually occur and partially due to Roy's repugnant descriptions. But this style of writing makes the book one of the most unique I have ever read, and really, really lends itself to the novel's dark story and tone. I've read books that attempt to grapple with depressing themes or plots, while using language, form, setting, and events that are basic, simplistic, passive, or even just boring. It! Doesn't! Work! Not everyone wants to read or write a gut-wrenching novel. But if you're going to read or write one, it better be good. And Roy's style is so, so well suited to this type of book.
TLDR: If you want a book that's all smiles, don't read this. This book is definitively no-smiles. It's also gross and controversial. But oh my God it's really good.
reenie83's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarina_z's review against another edition
4.0
Great when reading in big chunks. Confusing in parts when I only read a few pages at a time. Loved the authors way of describing things. “the ants made a faint crunchy sound as life left them. Like an elf eating toast, or a crisp biscuit”
lean_bean's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aaminayousaf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
yabibliobard's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? Yes
3.5
sirisolh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A decade after the book was recommended to me, I spent a decade (two months) reading it.. Why? I don't know. But please read it too.
alexprzy's review against another edition
4.0
one of the best writers I've ever read. this isn't a book you can describe to someone by giving plot points. you just have to read it. it's an experience. it's the kind of story I can't wait to go back to, opening a random page and jumping right in... really really good!
skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this as on audio, which I enjoyed because of the authentic accents. Most reviewers either loved this book beyond words or didn't like it at all. I'm giving it a 3 because it is all the things the reviewers say about it including the book summary:
Although the effect is occasionally chaotic, like the jumbled colors of a kaleidoscope before a pattern clicks into place, the complexity of Roy's mosaic redeems her.
Most of the prose, the story, the feelings, and the lessons are definitely in the 5 category, but it was difficult to follow at times, which affected my ability to enjoy it as much as others did.
Although the effect is occasionally chaotic, like the jumbled colors of a kaleidoscope before a pattern clicks into place, the complexity of Roy's mosaic redeems her.
Most of the prose, the story, the feelings, and the lessons are definitely in the 5 category, but it was difficult to follow at times, which affected my ability to enjoy it as much as others did.