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leslie115's review against another edition
5.0
When I posted on FB that I was reading this book, I was surprised at how friends from completely different circles praised this book. Perhaps more surprising is that the praise is truly deserved. Despite it being the longest book written in the English language, I did not want this book to end. Seth's writing reminded me of why I love to read, and at times reminded me of Jane Austen. Not only because of the main plot (a mother searching for a suitable boy for her daughter), but because of Seth's lively yet realistic characters. My only complaints about the book are Lata's final choice and the fact that the story came to an end. And really, how many books can you say that about?
kaycinicole's review against another edition
I don’t think I can fairly rate this since the audiobook was an abridged version, but listening to it I don’t think I could make it through 1400-1500 pages or however long it’s supposed to be!
catmul83's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
dankolar's review against another edition
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
4.5
joycet's review against another edition
5.0
It took me awhile to read this book. In part because it is some ~1500 pages. In part I would read for awhile and then step away. When it was finished I couldn't read anything else for awhile because I had become so involved in the characters.
I truly like Vikram Seth's writing. I love what he did with this book. I love so many of the aspects and so many of the characters seemed like real people to me in the end. And you could tell that Seth loved his characters too. I kept wondering which of the two Chatterji boys he was most like as I felt there was a part of him particularly in the writer but also in the one with the mystical bent (sorry I don't have the book at hand.)
I would recommend this to anyone who likes family sagas, Indian literature or books that happily meander through their stories. If you want your plot on a tight schedule, this may frustrate you. If you like Dickens, you'll be okay here.
I truly like Vikram Seth's writing. I love what he did with this book. I love so many of the aspects and so many of the characters seemed like real people to me in the end. And you could tell that Seth loved his characters too. I kept wondering which of the two Chatterji boys he was most like as I felt there was a part of him particularly in the writer but also in the one with the mystical bent (sorry I don't have the book at hand.)
I would recommend this to anyone who likes family sagas, Indian literature or books that happily meander through their stories. If you want your plot on a tight schedule, this may frustrate you. If you like Dickens, you'll be okay here.
sarahe's review against another edition
5.0
It's many years since I read this - would go it again if I didn't have so much else to read, and also I have the abridged audio version for occasional car listening. Distinctly remember feeling unengaged for 200 pages, then thoroughly sucked in by the story, characters and issues. I felt the writing improved but maybe I just got tuned in. Anyway, epic storytelling, if not exactly a literary masterpiece.
ungoliant1234's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this as a part of a college course, which did help. It is not uncommon for me to lose interest halfway through a book as long as this, but reading it section-wise and spacing out my reading did help keep the book fresh.
The highlight is Seth’s humour and exceptionally engaging dialogues. It is truly a delight to read the interactions between different characters (the Chatterjees stand out). A Suitable Boy is also extremely readable and doesn’t feel excessively slow at any point.
That said, there isn’t anything that particularly stands out here- which for a book as long as this is a massive flaw. The characters are well written, but not exceptional; the plot is engaging, but verges on feeling like a soap opera; and while Seth does comment on religious and caste based tension, the commentary is fairly obvious.
A big issue I had was with the ending and specifically with the suitor Lata chose. I understand that Seth was trying a realist approach, but when so much of the book is so over-the-top and like a soap opera (Maan’s storyline stands out here), an attempt to ground it at the end just feels very frustrating. Seth introduces lot of plot lines and characters, and while he does occasionally mention them and bring them back into the plot, their plot lines don’t really converge or conclude (so their reappearances feel more like cameos than having some intent). A lot of great charters are ignored, some compelling plot lines are dropped or just waved off.
Again, a very readable big book but not a very memorable or striking one.
The highlight is Seth’s humour and exceptionally engaging dialogues. It is truly a delight to read the interactions between different characters (the Chatterjees stand out). A Suitable Boy is also extremely readable and doesn’t feel excessively slow at any point.
That said, there isn’t anything that particularly stands out here- which for a book as long as this is a massive flaw. The characters are well written, but not exceptional; the plot is engaging, but verges on feeling like a soap opera; and while Seth does comment on religious and caste based tension, the commentary is fairly obvious.
A big issue I had was with the ending and specifically with the suitor Lata chose. I understand that Seth was trying a realist approach, but when so much of the book is so over-the-top and like a soap opera (Maan’s storyline stands out here), an attempt to ground it at the end just feels very frustrating. Seth introduces lot of plot lines and characters, and while he does occasionally mention them and bring them back into the plot, their plot lines don’t really converge or conclude (so their reappearances feel more like cameos than having some intent). A lot of great charters are ignored, some compelling plot lines are dropped or just waved off.
Again, a very readable big book but not a very memorable or striking one.
deliriousdisquisitions's review against another edition
5.0
Mrs. Bennet has nothing on Mrs. Mehra or South Asian mothers in general. As the eldest daughter of "marriagble age" in a desi household, this was a nightmarish experience akin to being trapped in a fun house hall of mirrors: suffocating, clausterphobic, and painfully reflective of reality. The writing is so vivid that I found myself transported back to the drawing room of every single traumatic family gathering. It unlocked memories I've spent years distancing myself from. So, in a way, this was pure genius? I'm not just not sure if it makes for a very pleasant reading experience. 5 stars.
questranged's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the Bollywood like-flow of this book. It goes without saying that this book was designed for a Western audience, the book fails to garner the warmth of the reader, it almost has a shallowness despite the intricacies and depth of the characters essayed. I would have loved for Lata to grow old as an unmarried spinster rebelling against her Mom, or perhaps marry Kabir and elope away at a later stage. However, her marrying off the shoemaker is such an abrupt end to her illustrious character. Kabir trying harder, a more romantic, less realistic portrayal of characters considering the almost Bollywood like narrative would have made it a romance genre. I am to believe that therein lies the uniqueness of the book. It is well-layered with a pseudo-shallow appearance.