I've read all 1500+ pages of this book. Twice.

Always happy to reread this one

In many ways, this satisfies the same niche as Jane Austen's work--an interrelated cast of characters in a time and place ruled by different conventions and conflicts, all collected into a story of semi-arranged matrimony. But the backdrop here is 1950's India and it covers not only the domestic arrangements of the richly drawn characters, but the political, legal, religious and cultural background to their lives. I think I will find myself wondering for a long time how my favorite characters are doing.

Why didn't I review this the first time? I remember being very angry at the outcome...

This time round (2021), knowing how it would end, I was able to see it coming a bit more (given how much Seth invests Haresh with qualities that I assume he'd like to have more of himself), and was able to enjoy his characterisation of Amit (who apparently represents Seth) a bit more. I particularly enjoyed that Amit recommends cutting books up if they're too big, something I remember doing the first time I read this. There was absolutely heaps I couldn't remember from reading it the first time, and I might even reread it another time - it was certainly very different to reread this three years later, single and in a pandemic and in the run-up to Valentine's day, and I'm sure I'd get something else out of this in another three years. This time round I feel a bit more sympathetic of the rejection of Kabir, although I still disagree with it! I feel like they should have at least dated... although it's an interesting question: is the person that makes you feel and act 'not like yourself' the wrong person, and a more tempered attraction the better choice?

My nickname for this book is "Behemoth". I am pleased to have read this Behemoth. I regret that it took me 13 months to do so, but life happens. One cannot account for the unexpected.

Similarly, life happens in "A Suitable Boy". The main aspect was a mother's attempt to find a suitable match for her daughter in 1950s India. In the early 1950s, India was trying to regain its footing after British rule. I knew so little about Indian culture. The history and culture are what motivated me to keep reading.

Long narratives and several characters appear throughout "A Suitable Boy". I had a friend who began the book with me. She stopped reading it due to the lengthy narratives claiming she did not have time for it. I saw other reviews where readers stopped because the characters held little interest. I will not deny that the editing could have been improved. Yet, I am pleased by the knowledge I gained from the historical aspect.

A Humongous book with large set of characters interwoven with each other.A lot about political drama & a less about suitability of a marriage prospect.
Vikram seth was quite good with narrating a lot of scenarios into a beautiful story.The storytelling was so uncomplicated which resulted into a classy masterpiece.