ManBookering discussion

Discussion questions will be updated.

I finished this one on Monday but I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand I thought the writing was great, I loved several of the characters, especially Nomi and I enjoyed the way the author bought together the old and new India, traditional and modern. However, I felt there were too many stories being told here, I would get frustrated when we jumped from one character to the next.
Do you think that all of the character's back stories were necessary? What do you think the author was trying to say about modern India?

I cannot wait to read this! Ordered from UK and am waiting for it to arrive; I adored The God of Small Things

Just finished this. It reminded me of the film Magnolia with its separate but crossing story lines. I actually liked the structure as it jumped from story to story (and Magnolia is just about my favourite film ever, so that probably says something about me). Often sad, sometimes weird, always well written.

Shari wrote: "I cannot wait to read this! Ordered from UK and am waiting for it to arrive; I adored The God of Small Things"

I have good news and bad news for you: The bad news: 'The God of Small Things' was written by Arundhati Roy... NOT this author, who is Anuradha Roy (easy to get confused, I confess). The GOOD news, however, is that THIS author has written two equally exquisite books - 'The Atlas of Impossible Longing' and 'The Folded Earth', both of which I have read and loved... so hopefully you are still in for a treat!

# 8 from this year's Longslist for me; my 5 star review: Having read and adored Roy's previous two novels, I was predisposed to love this one also... and did! Perhaps not as perfectly rendered as her exquisite first book, 'An Atlas of Impossible Longing', this did show a certain maturing in both prose style and plotting. Others have decried the more cryptic passages and the lack of definitive answers, but that is all part of the novel's mystery and charm. A book that I am sure will reward a second reading soon ... and one I hope will at least make the Booker Shortlist, if not even come away the winner. Interesting that I think her strongest competition will come from 'A Little Life', which also centers around issues of childhood sexual abuse.

Doug - fully agree - one of the things I loved about this book is that it didn't feel the need to tie up all the loose ends. In general, this is something I like in both books and movies, maybe partly because it gives you a reason to remain engaged after the end.

Doug wrote: "Shari wrote: "I cannot wait to read this! Ordered from UK and am waiting for it to arrive; I adored The God of Small Things"

I have good news and bad news for you: The bad news: 'The God of Smal..."
Just figured this out, and I am so very annoyed.....

Oh my, I am really loving this book.
Doug, I have ordered her other two novels.
Unless something changes, this is going to get a five.
Neil, the writing is indeed, beautiful. I haven't seen Magnolia, but have added it to my list.

Shari - be aware that Magnolia is pretty heavy and long. I love it but my wife made it through the first hour and then gave up. I really wanted her to like it, too!

Shari... so glad you are enjoying it...it's my favorite so far, and 'An Atlas of Impossible Longing' is sheer brilliance too. And Neil, I loved Magnolia also, and can see the parallels!

I thought it was great - a quiet shocker!