Reviews

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara

booksnbubbly7's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

next_chapter_kd's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

vtlism's review against another edition

relaxing

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

shoke's review against another edition

dark funny informative mysterious medium-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? No

3.75

nypeapod's review against another edition

5.0

Wonderful writing, but such a sad subject. I look forward to reading more from this author.

jentidders's review against another edition

5.0

This is a beautiful novel about Jai, a 9-year-old boy living in an Indian slum, who is desperate to be a detective like his TV heroes on Police Patrol one day. When neighbourhood children begin to go missing he ropes in his friends Pari and Faiz to investigate whether a Djinn might be behind the disappearances.

Deepa Anappara's writing is a joy to read, bright, humourous and evocative - I could almost see and hear the sights and sounds of the bazaar and slum - and ultimately heartbreaking.

I was really reminded of Katherine Boo's non-fiction masterpiece, Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, so it was interesting to learn in the afterword that Anappara is also a former journalist.

This one is highly recommended.

nicoledeeeeee's review against another edition

3.0

picked this book out based on the title. thought it was going to be a magical realism story with djinns. there were no djinns. there were only a few mentions of djinns.

despite the emotional premise of the book i felt bored the entire time, as it seems so did the main character. it picked up once

the sister was kidnapped

. the ending is open-ended but it made sense for the story. it was well written, but the supporting characters were much more compelling than the protagonist and i honestly found myself frustrated by his lack of self awareness, compassion, and brains.

jmarchek's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting story of poor children in India and their families. I don't know why but somehow I was under the impression that the magical/fantasy element would end with a happy ending, but that's definitely not the case. I enjoyed the novel for the most part but then was bogged down and sad with the last 1/4 and ending.

pwillie's review against another edition

4.0

Kind of a combination of Katherine Boo's excellent "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" (a personal all-time favorite), a crime mystery, and a Dickens novel. Interesting characters trying to survive in a world of poverty and corruption.

h_elene's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0