God of Small Things

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: This book was a joy to read - the author writes it in a very unique style that captures the associative ways that children think. She provides just enough information about the storyline at every stage in the book to keep the reader from frustration over the suspense, without sacrificing the reader's desire to continue reading in order to find out what really happened. I am eagerly awaiting the possibility of a second novel.

Rating:
Summary: A finely wrought magical dream of a novel
Review: I wasn't sure if I would even finish this book when I first started reading. Roy's writing is ephemeral; reality is gossamer-fine and the reader is never quite sure where he or she might be treading. What kept me hooked, though, was the absolutely marvelous writing. Even if I were given an infinity to think, I don't believe I could come up with such beautiful phrasings. I would agree with other reviewers in saying that this book is not for everyone. If you like the concrete, stated plainly, then chances are this novel is not for you. If you like only books that on topics familiar to you, then I wouldn't recommend it. If, however, you're a sucker for remarkable prose and don't mind being a little confused at times when you're reading, then give Arundhati Roy a try.

Rating:
Summary: Lyrical prose, painful reality...
Review: This unique tale of childhood in India is written in the lyrical prose of an artist, whose vivid childhood scenes set the stage for a lifetime of heartbreak. The child's perception is beautifully wrought from the experience of Rahel, two-egg twin of her brother, Estha. Living on the outside edge of family acceptance, the children attempt to divine a cohesive explanation for the circumstances of their young lives and that of their mother, Ammu.

Roy writes compelling dialogue, skillfully rendering the innocence of childish perception, as the child assumes responsibility for the actions of mature family members. And when Ammu is drawn to a man of lower caste, the price for both the lovers and the twins is preordained. The most simple acts have stunning repercusions: the loss and deprivation of a sibling reaches across a lifetime.

This story reads like a fable, much like C.S. Godshalk"s KALIMANTAAN, which I drifted through in much the same way, not seeking explanation or definition. I became apprehensive towards the end, anticipating the loss of smoke and mirrors, but in a graceful coup, Roy gathers the ends of her tapestry into the language of love. In her hands, a mother and her two children learn that everything in your life can change forever in an instant. But we are left with the taste of love, after all, the sweetest and most generous gift.

Rating:
Summary: a modern masterpiece on that ol' theme of forbidden love
Review: The numerous negative reviews on this one surprise me. I myself am afflicted with that gen-x impatience and irritation with self-indulgent prose and overwrought plots. But this book grabbed me and blew me away. The book excels in its radiant, poetic imagery and its sometimes quaint, sometimes devastating insight into humanity and society. But what sends it over the top is its exquisitely structured plot. The old analogy of peeling an onion comes to mind -- the story masterfully shifts back and forth from past and present, slowly revealing its tragic ultimate truths. Trust me: at the end, the genius behind the organization becomes perfectly, heart-breakingly clear.

The plot shifts were NOT confusing or distracting, even for this MTV-generation reader. If anything, I agree with those thinking that the author makes it too easy to follow and lets on a little too much too early. This book does require some careful reading, or even multiple readings (generally, a good trait for books). True to the author's background in architecture, every detail counts and nothing is wasted. Which raises my only other minor complaint -- the author gets a little carried away with recalling and recycling every single image and detail. At times it borders on listening to that overexcited friend that keeps on bringing up the same old stories and inside jokes -- 'Okay already.'

As for social commentary, this novel is par excellence. What better setting for another rendition of that old theme of forbidden love than post-liberation India. Gender, class, age, race. Tradition, Marxism, Decolonization, Anglophilia. 'Little' people caught in the middle of 'big' things. Those that don't see the scathing social criticism in this book baffle me. I guess if you don't get it, you just don't get it.

Rating:
Summary: Huge Disappointment
Review: After reading all the glowing reviews, I was disappointed with the rambling, disjointed, impossible to follow story. The poor grammer added to my disappointment. There are so many disjointed phrases, with periods at the end of a jumble of words, it was nearly impossible to understand what the author intended to say. Ms Roy is in great need of an accomplished editor. I read 75 to 100 books per year and this is the worst book I've read in 2001.

Rating:
Summary: Captor of Imagination
Review: If you are looking for a novel that will capture your imagination and make you look at life in a whole new perspective, then "The God of Small Things" is the book for you. An interesting piece of information can be found in looking at the first few pages of this book. Roy dedicates her book in such unusual detail that is also found throughout the book. "For Mary Roy who grew me up. Who taught me to say 'excuse me' before interrupting her in Public. Who loved me enough to let me go. For LKC, who, like me, survived." I am not a reader; it is not something I do for entertainment. But this book is one of the best books I have ever opened. I don't understand how Roy can word things that are usually overlooked to sound so important and magical. For example, she describes reptiles in a garden so that even people who can't stand frogs and insects would be interested to see what she is seeing. "The wild, overgrown garden was full of the whisper and scurry of small lives." The phrase "small lives" really captured my attention from the start. Who would word a sentence that way? This book allows a person to look at the details; not to neglect or disregard the small things in life. In the beginning I believed that her great detail of the small things had a lot to do with the title. In fact, in reading the book, I discovered that it is mainly composed of very detailed small things that happen during the dramatic events of the book. Roy doesn't just look at the events themselves but the little things noticed by the characters while they are happening. In the middle of the book she uses small things again to convey a meaning that is important but not the main one I think she is trying to establish. "And once again, only the Small Things were said. The big Things lurked inside." By reviewing this quotation anyone can see that it is so true. Everyday big Things, needing to be said, are replaced by casual Small Things. But, towards the end I found the true significance of The God Of Small Things. Roy puts amazing phrases all throughout the book, up unto the very last word, that link themselves to what the author will reveal in the end. The phrases and the detail can give the reader such anticipation that it is hard to put the book down. She gives readers just enough detail so they can understand what is going on but want to keep reading because they can't figure out the whole story. For example:

"That afternoon- while in the bathroom the fates conspired to horribly alter the courses of their mysterious mother's road, while in Velutha's backyard an old boat waited for them, while in a yellow church a young bat waited to be born- in their mother's bedroom Estha stood on his head on Rahel's bum." For me, this quotation captures most everything the author creates to happen in the end of the book. This story is also made interesting when the author repeats certain phrases that pertain to the whole, but only seem like insignificant bits of information, like the Lemon-Orange drink man whom you discover in reading the book. As I was reading and I recognized the repetition, I began to understand what the phrases are trying to portray. It is also interesting to see how some of the Indian characters are striving to be more like the English. They speak English, and they admire the English (Sophie Mol, the cousin). She is described as "loved from the beginning." Roy makes some observations: "Anything can happen to anyone" or "Things can change in a day." These observations create irony when the characters express them and they are confirmed when the tragic events take shape. Although this book is set in India and is full of tragedy, it is easy for me to relate. This book did not change my life or anything to that extent, but it did open my eyes and helped me see a different way of looking at life's experiences. It also taught me how important and interesting the small things in life can be. In my opinion Arundhati Roy put so much passion and feeling into this book that anyone including myself is truly touched after reading it. Although I admitted to not reading much I have read several well known books, none of which I could relate to as I can this one. You don't have to have tragedy in life to understand the young children's emotions, or the mother's rebellion. That is how Roy creates this book so everyone will be able to relate and have compassion for the characters. To me, this ability is truly amazing and I highly recommend Arundhati Roy's The God Of Small Things.

Rating:
Summary: an absolute treasure
Review: This book is hard to forget. Once you read it, it will stay with you forever. It is hard to believe that someone is capable of writing in this way and it fascinates me to know that this person is alive out there amongst us. It woke something deep within me and I can honestly say that I am more whole after experiencing such a rare incident. I truly envy her mind and wish that it had been me who had come up with the so called '....shape in the universe' bit. Truly brilliant and magnificent in all aspects. Thank you Arundhati Roy.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: One of the best books I've ever read. Up there with "To Kill a Mocking Bird" and "Catch 22".

Rating:
Summary: Pseudo-intellectual
Review: I consider this book the written version of modern art's "big yellow dot". In any modern art museum you'll find a large black canvas with nothing but a big yellow dot on it. No matter what obtuse meaning pseudo-intellectuals ascribe to that painting, it remains that it's no more than a big yellow dot.

"God of Small Things" is the written equivalent. It will no doubt continue to be popular in some circles as some readers ascribe deep meaning to its confusing plot lines and verbiage. But deep in my heart I believe the vast majority of people are saying (if only under their breath), "Why in the world did I read this book?"

Rating:
Summary: The God of Books
Review: In 1997, i picked up my first of many more copies of Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things. That book changed my life. I think i paid a mere 10+ dollars for a lifelong therapy session! Roy's sarcastic witty metaphorical prose is one that can never be surpassed...Why? because it is Real. To describe this book with mere words would be to violate its intensity, honesty and literary beauty. It would also be shamefull to violate Roy's world of people who die at a 'Viable die-able age.' One last word of advice. READ IT THROUGH...Even if the first chapter confuses you. Oh, and did i mention, i cried.