Rating: 
Summary: A daunting yet intensely satisfying read.
Review: I bought this book after hearing some good reviews of it. Yet I never imagined it would be THIS good. Yes, its immense size is definitely intimidating. But after turning the last page, I sighed and realized that it was worth it. I have never been so immersed in the lives of so many different characters at once. My absolute favorite character was Maan. I was completely drawn into his charming, flippant personality and the strength of his infatuation with the mysterious courtesan Saeeda Bai. Admittedly, while reading I sometimes wished that he felt that way for me. Another favorite character of mine was the audacious Meenakshi Chatterji, whose personality I despised, but I kept reading just to find out what incredibly rude or self-centered thing she would do next. The intricate way Seth has connected these 4 families is entirely believable, and he makes each family stand out with the distinctive personalities of its members. I gave this book 4 stars only because of the lengthy passages dealing with politics that were sometimes tedious to read, especially if you were involved in the action of other characters. However, these passages must at least be skimmed, because some of the main characters have important interactions that affect later events. So they are somewhat of a necessary evil. But no one can say that Seth did not use historically and legally accurate detail when writing these sections. I have truly never been so moved by a book. The night I finished the book, I started reading at 10 PM. When I reached the climax, I found myself sobbing uncontrollably at 3 AM. At that point, I was so involved with the characters and events that I knew I wouldnt sleep until I finished the book. So when I finally reached the last page, my eyes still tearing, I looked up to see daylight. The way Seth wrote the climax and events immediately following, I felt the characters pain, worry, anger, and sorrow. It was indescribable. In conclusion, A Suitable Boy is one of the best books I have ever read. It brought me into an amazing world, where I could hear the bustle of Brahmpur market and smell the blooms of Mrs Mahesh Kapoor's beautiful garden. Although a large reading project to undertake, it is one that will leave you utterly satisfied, as if you have just spent time with intimate friends.
Rating:
Summary: A worthy and delightful experience
Review: The book is a moving panorama of several events set in post-independent India, covering the four families at one level and encompassing the nation, at a higher level. What it offers the reader is a very realistic glimpse into life in Indian families, their rich culture heritage and the strong pathos. What makes it really delightful is Seth's habit of juxtaposing events and situations with the inner feelings and emotions of the characters, thus elevating the book to higher plane - it is not a mere story of four families or saga of events, it is a vehicle for some of Seth's insights into human nature and existence, his philosophy of life, his train of thought. When offering these insights and thoughts, Seth desists from being judgmental, leaving the prerogative and pleasure interpreting it to the reader. This, in my experience, was what made the book enjoyable to me, especially since I found myself identifying with may such insights I came across in the book. I can still see vivid images of Lata, Kabir, Harish, Mann, Pran, Meenaxi, Arun, Savitha, Mrs. Mehra - not just in flesh and blood but in terms of their inner feelings, attitudes and behaviour as well - it is almost like I have seen my own private film based on Seth's writing. While maintaining his individual style of story-telling, even amidst the tender tale of love and marriage Seth has taken care to maintain a smatterring of everything that goes into an American bestseller - passion, extra-marital relations, sexual abuse - but in well-measured doses sans graphic descriptions, building up the tempo with undercurrents and overtones rather than statements and descriptions. But I have some grouses against Seth. At times, while pages are spent in describing events, their denoument is disappointing and leaving the reader felling let down: Mann's tour in Rasheed's village, the political campaigning and Mann's court case are some examples that come to mind. At other times, when characters/ situations have potential for imaginative possibilities, he lets them go without really exploring them - for example, Arun and his explosive character, Meenaxi's medal-selling, even the Mann-Firoz friendship. Also the stabbing incident (featuring Mann and Firoz) and its aftermath sticks out like a sore thumb - the situations and behaviours are out of sync with the rest of the settings. All in all reading the book was a worthy experience and even a month after finishing the book, I have been digging into some chapters at random and rereading them, for the sheer pleasure and understanding they provide.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful characters make this well worth the effort
Review: While I found "A Suitable Boy" hard work to get into, after a few chapters I was completely involved. At first, the huge array of characters is overwhelming, but each one is so individual and colourful that they all become unforgettable. I found myself not wanting the story to end, as I had become so attached to every character. Can't wait to read it again with a different outlook!
Rating:
Summary: A Suitable Book
Review: Ever since i saw this book it took me long to gather courage to read such a book. And much longer to complete it. The moment i completed the last page of throwing oranges to a group of monkeys, it made me feel that it was worth reading. The characters pictured here are really amazing. How all the varities of human life can be stored in a single brain of Mr.Seth. That wonders me. Till now. I can't escape the thoughts of Lata, Maan, Kabir, Haresh, Varun , Meehakshi, Kakoli, Mrs Rupa Mehra, Arun, Pran and all those. I liked Maan's heart, Lata's sensibilities, Malati's companionship, Mrs Mehra's responsibilities, Pran's arguments, Kabir's Passion, Haresh's practicability, Amit's poetry, Firoz's friendship, Arun's angriness, Varun's simplicity, Mahesh Kapoor's politics, Saeeda Bai's Ghazals, Meenakshi's cleverness, Bhaskar's calculations, Priya's talks, Kedarnath's efforts and in the end Seth's picturisation of the whole of it. In the end what wonders me more than anything else is the way it's composed. While reading it if someone asks you where in the world are you ? You can't escape unaswering it as Brahmpur, Cawnpur or in Saeeda Bai's concert no matter wherever you are. That's sure. Definitely it's going to help one socialise, and take life as it is. Thank you Seth. You have managed it to get what you have wanted out of it, perhaps. Thank You. Rupesh
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book in the world!
Review: I have never loved a book and its characters so much, that I was horrified; just so so sooo sad when I was approaching the end of the book. I didn't want it to end; yet, I couldn't stop reading! I'll never forget that feeling -- and it was what, almost four years ago, that I read it? Seth was on a book tour when the book was just released, and I attended a reading. Bought the book that night (got it signed) and didn't put it down for days. . .I've never fallen so in love with people in a book; gotten so engrossed in "their" world that became so real and thus "my" world! I felt like something was missing from my life when the story was over! Unbelievable! I was majorly bummed when I'd finished it and had no more Lata and Kabir to go back to. . .I honestly felt like I'd just lost a friend. . .The book is packed at a friend's house, half way around the world now; but seeing all these reviews again, makes me think that as soon as I have the chance and get back to the USA I want to get that book out and read it again. . .
Rating:
Summary: You too will marry a boy she chooses
Review: My love for this book is made all the more remarkable by the fact that it is not a style of book I would generally enjoy. But the many characters involved are so wonderfully likable that you are drawn in almost despite yourself. Beautifully written, entertainingly driven and heart-achingly resolved, I can't imagine anyone regretting choosing to read this novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Whole of Life in an Indian Microcosm
Review: I think I have become a connoisseur of everything Indian.I first became interested in the writings of Indian authors when I read, "What the Body Remembers" by Shauna Singh Baldwin. I realized there was a whole culture about which I knew very little. I went on to seek out other books by Indian authors and have never been let down.
Vikram Seth writes beautifully of people whose culture seems so different from American or modern European cultures.Again, as in the book by Singh Baldwin, each member of a family has their place and their specific duties to each other. Daughters marry men chosen for them and sons, whose fathers have died, support mothers and younger siblings. Pain, frustration and unhappiness fester below the surface of each person's heart but most do not let their feelings show.
Mr. Seth goes back and forth between traditional older family members set in their ways, and the younger generation who have strong desires to be thought of as modern and not tied down by superstition or the religious beliefs and subsequent prejudices of their parents.
His characters stay with you and you may almost find yourself wondering how the newlyweds, Lata and Haresh, make out in life, if Meenakshi will ever settle down in her marriage, and if the sensible Pran and Savita can, by their example, help the varied members of their extended families to stop worrying and enjoy what the Gods have given them.
It is a long read but a very full and enjoyable one. As with any good author, Vikram Seth makes his characters live in your mind (you'll find yourself imagining what they look like and how they're dressed)and become people you would want as friends and neighbours. My advice? Buy it and take a mental trip to India.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful characters make this well worth the effort
Review: While I found "A Suitable Boy" hard work to get into, after a few chapters I was completely involved. At first, the huge array of characters is overwhelming, but each one is so individual and colourful that they all become unforgettable. I found myself not wanting the story to end, as I had become so attached to every character. Can't wait to read it again with a different outlook!
Rating:
Summary: A novel of epic proportions!
Review: The length, the size, the number of characters, the descriptions; Vikram Seth here succeeds in re-creating life of several characters into a highly acclaimed and engrossing novel. The story is simple, as is his narration, so the reading fast forwards through various people and several episodes that span nearly all human emotions. I would not discuss the characters here, for I would recommend just about everyone to commit himself to this book and see them for himself. The characters are people drawn from common lives, and he creates very vivid personas, describing in picturesque detail their houses, streets, odors, colors and both successes and failings. The sheer volume of labor that author must have put in to create this masterful epic is mind boggling. The story is set in India, and for anyone who searches for words while describing his country and people, Vikram Seth sets a defining example.
Rating:
Summary: Just like life
Review: The book is really great. In terms of the variety and range of characters it, in a way, reminds me of Dickens " David Copperfield". Seth has dexterously got the reader so involved with his characters that after having finished reading I feel something missing from my own life....the reader kind of becomes a part of the family and doesn't mind going on and on about its affairs. Since there are so many characters, every reader gets a chance to relate with some character or the other. Lata , Mrs Rupa Mehra, Savita, Veena, old Mrs Tandon, Mrs Mahesh Kapoor, Malati, Kabir, Pran, all these characters are so real. There are some parts which aren't very interesting and one wants to avoid reading, but isn't life like this, there are so many moments which are not liked by us, which are not up to our expectations and yet they exist. I think Seth's style of writing makes you flow with the events in the book just like life takes you along with its ups and downs.... Was this review helpful to you?
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