'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is a monumental saga set in post-colonial India, revolving around the efforts of Mrs. Mehra to find a suitable husband for her daughter, Lata, amid the backdrop of 1950s India. The story follows the intertwined lives of multiple families, exploring themes of family dynamics, love, duty, and societal expectations. Despite its length, the book delves into the intricacies of Indian culture and history, offering a detailed and immersive portrayal of the characters and their experiences.
The narrative weaves together various subplots, ranging from political intrigue to personal relationships, providing a rich tapestry of human experiences against the backdrop of a changing nation. Vikram Seth's writing style is praised for its detailed characterizations, epic scope, and ability to draw readers in with its lush prose and engaging storytelling.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Potential triggers include themes of arranged marriage, political strife, and religious tension.
Has Romance?
Romance is a significant element, with multiple love interests and the exploration of relationships.
From The Publisher:
A Suitable Boy is now a major 2020 BBC TV series, and one of the BBC's 100 novels that shaped our world.
The award-winning BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Vikram Seth's masterpiece
'The drama highlight of the year...this sumptuous production, wonderfully atmospheric, written with pace and performed, by an all-Indian cast, quite superbly. The novel may be vast but I was convinced by this version right from the start. Magnificent drama' - Radio Times
A Suitable Boy is Vikram Seth's epic love story set in India. Funny and tragic, with engaging, brilliantly-observed characters, it is as close as you can get to Dickens for the twentieth century.
The story unfolds through four middle-class families - the Mehras, Kapoors, Khans and Chatterjis. Lata Mehra, a university student, is under pressure from her mother to get married. But not to just anyone she happens to fall in love with. There are standards to be met and finding a husband for Lata becomes a family affair in which all the members are to play a part. The characters struggle, they try to buck the system, to break free of restraint, of interference - but ultimately their strength and sense of being comes from their family and friends. It is a celebration of ordinariness; a beautifully composed story that is an affirmation of family and friendship.
In his sweeping epic, Vikram Seth has created an entire world filled with warmth, humour, pathos, tragedy - in short, life. Recorded on location in India, A Suitable Boy is made by the production team behind the award-winning Bleak House and The Handmaid's Tale.
Shortlisted for the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, 1993.
Winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1994.
Winner of the WH Smith Literary Award, 1994.
Dramatised and directed by John Dryden. A Goldhawk Production.
Ratings (11)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (5) | |
Liked It (2) | |
It Was OK (1) |
Reader Stats (43):
Read It (10) | |
Want To Read (27) | |
Not Interested (6) |
1 comment(s)
Love the plot and how stories of different characters are portrait. Love the Netflix series also for this award-winning BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Vikram Seth's masterpiece.
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A Suitable Boy?
About the Author:
Vikram Seth is an Indian novelist and poet. He has written several novels and poetry books. He has received several awards including Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and Crossword Book Award. Seth's collections of poetry such as Mappings and Beastly Tales are notable contributions to the Indian English language poetry canon. [Wikipedia]
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