God of Small Things

Rating:
Summary: Overpriced, Overhyped and Over the Top
Review: William Faulkner and Yoknapatawpha, Thomas Hardy and Wessex, R.K.Narayan and Malgudi... and now, Roy and her Ayemenem. The difference is that Ayemenem actually exists, though its natives prefer to spell it slightly differently. The quaint little town, the stereotyped characters, the prose that is a shade too purple, all seem a calculated attempt at taking ethnic chic to the masses (in this case, eager foreigners). Of course, the book is successful. If clever wordplay and a minimal understanding of the social milieu can contribute to the making of a truly great novel, this has to be it. However, it seems to be a one-off effort and it is doubtful whether Roy can repeat her success.

Rating:
Summary: where's the story?
Review: The book was basically 90% descriptive and 10% story. I don't like reading a 10 page description of a flower. But, maybe that's just me.

Rating:
Summary: unputdownable.
Review: One of the best books i have evr read. its beautiful, innovative and truely UNPUTDOWNABLE, its written straight from the heart. the language used is beautiful. it more than deserves the booker. i also recommend reading her essay on india's nuclear issue - "The end of imagination".

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful...
Review: Arundhati Roy's first novel, "The God of Small Things" is the story of an unusual family living in the small backwater town of Ayemenem in Kerala and two tragic events that work to tear the family apart. Told from the viewpoint of a member of the family, Rahel, the story moves back and forth ween past and present, subtly alluding to the tragedies that transform everyone they touch. It is only near the end of the novel that the events of the tragedies are revealed, and the story concludes as an even more dramatic event takes shape. Beautiful in its imagery and provoking in its simple yet clever language, "The God of Small Things" pronounces judgement on the culture and people that combine to destroy the family and takes a look at the human passions that can change lives in an instant.

Rating:
Summary: damn good
Review: I was really excited to pick up a book that was willing to take a risk, but not so over the top that the risk became a cheap marketing ploy. This book made me want to dance...

Rating:
Summary: Dazzling
Review: I looked at some of the reviews here and am stunned that anyone could be bored by this book. Exceptional writing matched with a gut-wrenching story. Very funny and very sad. What more could you ask for. One of the best books I have ever read.

Rating:
Summary: ride the indian fad wave!
Review: yet another pretentious upper class indian riding the current wave of interest in things indian. this book is poor fiction and worse fact.

Rating:
Summary: enigmatic view of life
Review: jkfhadkkkkkdcmn,, c ,zksdj lakowo eow ekjd cwiujandj iwej 9i

Rating:
Summary: Stunning work of art.
Review: This lyrical novel was a treasure discovered. Arundhati Roy's "God of Small Things" has moved next to Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" and "Song of Solomon" on my bookshelf. I have given this beauty as gifts to my friends that will understand its value and share.

Rating:
Summary: a test of patience
Review: Sorry, but after all the praise it comes as a bit of a disappointment that this is not one of the can't-put-this-down books. Having to decide if I can take any more postponing getting to the (or any) point and instead hopping around in time it remains to be seen if I can finish the book at all.