The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy is a sprawling novel that weaves together the stories of disparate characters trying to navigate the atrocities of Kashmir's troubled history. The book delves into the lives of marginalized individuals, including hermaphrodites, transvestites, and Kashmir freedom fighters, against the backdrop of India's complex political landscape. Roy's writing style is described as vivid and poetic, capturing the essence of war, power, and human struggles in a realistic yet lyrical manner.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and represent various social issues in India, with Anjum highlighting hijra and transgender struggles while Tilo's narrative intertwines themes of love and conflict.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is defined by its lyrical, poetic prose, which richly explores complex themes through highly descriptive and emotionally resonant language.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is characterized by its sprawling nature, weaving together multiple characters and their intersecting stories against the backdrop of complex political divisions in India.

Setting:

The setting is modern India, particularly Delhi and Kashmir, reflecting the country's socio-political landscape through various chosen locations.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, beginning slowly before picking up speed in the later sections, requiring patience as readers navigate the multiple character arcs.

She lived in the graveyard like a tree. At dawn she saw the crows off and welcomed the bats home. At dusk she did the opposite. Between shifts she conferred with the ghosts of vultures that loomed in ...

Notes:

Arundhati Roy's first novel in twenty years, following her Booker Prize-winning debut.

The novel intertwines personal stories with the complex political landscape of modern India, particularly focusing on Kashmir.

Anjum, a central character, is born as Aftab and is part of the hijra community, which includes transgender and intersex individuals.

The narrative spans many years and moves between locations like Delhi and Kashmir, reflecting on significant historical and political events.

Roy's writing is rich and poetic, with detailed character studies and a focus on marginalized communities.

The book addresses themes of violence, identity, and the search for belonging amid chaos and conflict.

Critics have commented on the book's ambitious scope, often finding it dense and challenging to follow due to its many characters and shifting timelines.

Despite mixed reviews, many readers appreciate the emotional depth and beautiful prose of the novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include violence, sexual violence, political oppression, and themes of loss and trauma related to conflict.

Has Romance?

Romance is a notable element in the narrative, particularly through the relationships involving Tilo.

From The Publisher:

National Bestseller

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize

One of the Best Books of the Year: The Washington Post * The Boston Globe * Minneapolis Star Tribune * NPR * Newsday * The Guardian * Financial Times * The Christian Science Monitor

The Ministry of Utmost Happiness takes us on an intimate journey across the Indian subcontinent-from the cramped neighborhoods of Old Delhi and the roads of the new city to the mountains and valleys of Kashmir and beyond, where war is peace and peace is war. Braiding together the lives of a diverse cast of characters who have been broken by the world they live in and then rescued, patched together by acts of love-and by hope, here Arundhati Roy reinvents what a novel can do and can be.

Ratings (7)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (7)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (1)

3 comment(s)

PurpleAmythest

It Was OK

3 weeks

I sort of enjoyed it but I admit I got lost at least half way through it - it seemed to feature a large number of sub-plots and it was quite complicated. It is a good bit of escapist reading and I feel I enjoyed reading most of it but I did find myself effectively skim reading a fair bit of it. I'm not so good when it comes to following or reading large descriptive texts.

ColorfulLeo92

It Was OK

2 months

I was struggling a lot getting focused and invested in the story. I do not know if the book isn't for me or its my reading slump due to my mental slump that is at fault here. I didn't enjoy it very much, but could see some good things about it and I think I'll pick it up in the future when my brain is a little more kind to me.

Bekahpaige

Loved It

5 months

A rich, layered, nuanced and fascinating view of the many cultures present in modern day India.

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About the Author:

Arundhati Roy is the author of The God of Small Things, which won the Booker Prize and has been translated into more than forty languages. She also has published several books of nonfiction including The End of Imagination, Capitalism: A…

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The Ministry of Utmost Happiness

Arundhati Roy