Q & A by Vikas Swarup

[sXe_Jinxeh]

Or better known now as Slumdog Millionaire.

Chances are, if it weren't for the movie, I never would have thought to pick up the book. Because I don't go to the library, and because it was on sale at the grocery store where I worked, so I bought it.

Wow.

If you get a chance, read this book. It is so good. It is the first novel by Swarup, but you would not be able to tell. It is very funny in parts, but also exceptionally sad in others--you will feel so sorry for the main character. Just when things start going good for him--it gets ripped away.

The only issue I had with it was I don't want to see the movie now. My best friend read the book at the same time as me, (I finished first, muhahah) but she went right out and watched the movie afterwards. The movie is so different from the book. I would suggest either reading the book or watching the movie, so either one doesn't shine as good as it should because of what you took from the other one.

Other than that, fantastic. I would suggest this book to anyone. Go. Right now. Buy this book.

[lango]

I was lucky. I read this book ages before I even knew a movie of it was made. In fact, I have yet to watch the movie.

The story is about a young indian kid who pretty much lives in the slums. The story starts with him as a participant in a talk show, one of those "answer x questions and get a million bucks". And at each question, a flashback starts where a story is told where, in the middle of it, will rest the answer to such question.

A very interesting read, but definitely not for the weak of heart. :D

[Devika_globejotter]

So true@ not for the weak at heart.

I read the book AFTER I saw the movie (you may scream Traitor) and to be honest, I liked the book a whole lot better.

Swarup is actually my friend's uncle, so I read the book very 'tentatively' (somehow its easier to read and review a book if the author is a fuzzy entity) not expecting to be impressed at all- but I was. The movie is responsible for making me skeptical about the book- but is definitely not worth a watch.

I don't know how true or factually correct the book is, but what I know for sure is that it gives a pretty good idea of what rural and downtrodden India looks like. There are lots of lies, traps, tricks and sex.

I also thought that the book was a bit TOO raw. It tried to give a picture of India, yes, but it could've been a little less harsh.

To round it all off: I was impressed by the book, but also a little wary of the horrors of the society I live in :(