Rating: 
Summary: A Magical Journey
Review: One could say that "A Suitable Boy" is the perfect title for this work by Vikram Seth as it is indeed the tale of Lata's search for an ideal husband, according both to Lata's own and her family's definitions of "suitable"; be they social, religious, political or personal. Alongside her and her family, we are lead to antagonise over how much she should value love; how much she may be willing to sacrifice for it and where following intense love might lead. We share these and many other quandries with her. However, around Lata there are many other lives, each inter-twined with her own, yet heading in its own direction. As is the case in real life, there is never just one story, and I am tempted to say that reading "A Suitable Boy" is like living in the heart of India and, more specifically, in the heart of the world Seth created, with all your soul. So much are we drawn into the characters' lives by the rich nature of Seth's descriptions and dialogues, that it is very tedious to have to do anything else but read and be with them all. I am not sure what I will do without them now that I have sadly reached the end and discovered who the suitable boy actually was......... This is a very special book indeed, perhaps the best I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A delectable slice of Indian life
Review: Marriages (or divorces, according to Oscar Wilde) may be made in heaven, but as human intervention is undeniably required to negotiate them on earth, matchmaking of near and not so near ones has been a perpetual source of fascination for people from time immemorial. Perhaps it gives them a feeling of playing God to interlink the destinies of two people, probably forever. This universal trait is remarkably well-manifested among the innumerable ayers comprising the social web of Indian society, and the average Indian middle class family offers the greatest scope for illustrating all kinds of hilarious and not-so-funny situations that crop up in the onerous task of choosing a Suitable boy, portrayed in Mr. Seth's delightful novel. One of the principal characters is Mrs. Rupa Mehra, an effusive widow determined to find a good alliance for her youngest daughter Lata. Lata has other plans that include ambitions of a teaching career and an affair with Kabir, a handsome cricketer most unsuitable in Mrs.Mehra's eyes as he is Muslim. The story is set in newly independent India in the early fifties, and intertwines the story of four different families including the Mehras -The Kapoors, the Chatterjis (Both related to the Mehras by marriage) and the Khans. It traces the ups and downs, the hopes and failures, the triumphs and tears of different members of these families. The novel begins with Mrs. Mehra shedding tears of joy over Savita's wedding, and resolving to get Lata to follow her sister's example. Lata is both amused and annoyed by her mother's plans but things take a not so strange turn when she falls in love with the unsuitable Kabir. Kabir is not the only suitor for Lata's hand - Others include Amit Chatterji, a young poet, and Haresh Khanna, a dynamic young man who in the Shoe business. Which of these three would be Lata's choice forms the main thread of the novel. There are several sub-plots involving other characters such as Lata's brother Arun and his wife, the selfish and adulterous Meenakshi, who are a snobbish Indian couple trying hard to keep up with the standards of the British Raj; Savita's father-in-law Mr. Mahesh Kapoor who represents the average freedom-fighter turned politician of the fifties, his wife - the gentle and accommodating Mrs. Mahesh Kapoor and Savita's husband - the unassuming and affectionate Pran, who is somewhat like Teinosuke of 'The Makioka Sisters'. Pran's younger brother Maan's infatuation with the courtesan-singer Saeeda Bai and its disastrous consequences is one of the more dramatic subplots. One of Saeeda Bai's patrons, the crass Raja of Marh, is a vivid portrayal of the vulgarity and barbarism of lesser chieftains in early post-independent India. Mr. Mahesh Kapoor's friendship with the Nawab Sahib of Baitar and the latter's son Firoz's intimate relationship with Maan takes an unexpected turn causing turmoil in both families, and the reconciliation towards the end is one of the most poignant parts of the novel. The mutual understanding between both pairs of friends, especially in the court where the Zamindari bill is challenged (Mr. Mahesh Kapoor being instrumental in proposing the bill and the Nawab Sahib on the opposite side, with Firoz arguing for him) is conveyed beautifully. Amit's younger brother Dipankar who seeks the meaning of life in philosophy and religion and finally settles as a banker, and Maan's urdu teacher Rasheed who strives to improve the lot of the peasants of his village but in the end is subdued and driven to suicide, portray troubled faces of Indian youth. Even the side characters are more than mere props in the background. The Hindustani music concerts by the maestro Ustad Majeed Khan come live to the reader and one can almost hear the raags and the applause. The weekly meetings of the Brahmpur Literary society teeming with self-styled poets provides extremely comical situations. Anybody who has attended a local literary society meeting would immediately recognise a Mr.Naurojee, a Smt.Joshi or even a droll and self-complacent Mr. Makhijani. If the Mehras and Kapoors form the background for the main storyline, one cannot miss the vivacious Chatterjis. The amiable Amit, dreamy and philosophical Dipankar, frivolous Meenakshi and fun-loving Kakoli come across as a crazy but loveable family, that is nevertheless, in the author's words, 'a hotbed of sanity'. The ludicrous 'Kakoli couplets' are sure to stay with the reader for a long time. The parties hosted by the Chatterjis at their Ballygunge mansion are delightful events that provide ample insight into the frills and thrills of high-society life in the early fifties. Mr.Seth's rich and detailed description transports the reader to shady roads of the posh localities of Brahmpur, gutter-ridden slums in the Brahmpur suburbs, dusty village roads of Rudhia district and even a cemetery in Calcutta where the legendary 'Rose Aylmer' lies buried. The political situation in India with emphasis on the changing face of the Congress party soon after Independence, the apprehensions of the landowners before the passing of the Zamindari bill, the communal tension underlining religious processions have all been portrayed in picturesque and emotionally charged scenes. A reader's only grudge after nearly 1400 pages may be that the book is too short! The way some of the loose ends are tied up towards the end (such as rediscovery of Mr.Mehra's medal) take away some of its authenticity. Though Lata's decision does not come as a surprise to the reader, as it is suggested and built on right from the later half, it creates a feeling that she had chosen the wrong one. Mr. Seth has compromised on the intensity of some characters, and one wishes to know more about many of them, especially Amit and Firoz. An impression of newly independent India (that has not changed much after fifty-two years), an engaging journey along the banks of the flowing Ganges, an insight into the thoughts, emotions and dreams of a group of people caught in filial, social and political ties - 'A Suitable Boy ' is much more than a novel - It is a generous (and delectable) slice of Indian life.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Saga
Review: When someone presented me with this book as a birthday present, I thought I would never tackle it. I'm glad I found the time. The story that Seth has woven is gorgeous. Being of South Asian decent, I had to remind myself several times that this book is not set in the present day because there are so many traditions which have remained intact for the last 50 years. I found the talk of politics educational, yet tedious, and would anxiously await the story to return to the lives of Lata, Maan, Meenakshi and Saeeda Bai. This book was a true delight to read, and after getting thru 1400 pages, I was sad to see it end.
Rating: 
Summary: An Attempt
Review: Some blessing it must be
Eludes other novelists
That he simply isn't
He is first a poet Well, an attempted dedication in the author's preferred style which tries to capture the reasons for the admiration for the book. An interesting story set in the post independence India. It is a revelation of a country being reborn. Makes an interesting reading for the Generation X.
Surprising to note that the various mental states which existed then, still carry on. Marital decision still continue to stem from the two distinct schools of thought- arranged versus love. The Indian marriageables, still fight the two, willingly, unwillingly. The Mehras and their families still continue to haunt and resemble and the extended Indian family, is very much a truism. The communal flames which burned then still rage on. It is strange that as a society, we have managed to change and yet remain where we were.
In terms of content there isn't much to fill the tome. I mean that the story per se could have been contained under 200 pages. But then what do we do with the immaculate style. It makes such an interesting reading that I just loved the book. And this is one book which makes you think what sets a great book apart from a good book.
Among other things the plethora of characters is enthralling. There is a bit of everyone in the book whom you can identify with contemporary Indian society. I have personally come across Lata, Amit, Kuku, Mrs. Mehra, Meenakshi, Haresh... every now and then. But then, like I said earlier it is a great book. No more flattery... don't be lazy... just read it.
Rating:
Summary: One flaw... it's not long enough.
Review: If I had it my way, I would want the additional 600 pages Seth excised from his original manuscript tacked on to this pared down concrete slab we readers were left with. Needless to say, I loved this book. Loved it. And here's a few reasons why:
The whole story makes sense, for one thing. Seth's characters live and breathe like real people. No-one is really a superstar, or superhero... no one individual always saves the day. Almost everyone takes their turn at being admirable, vulnerable, humiliated, elated, dejected, disappointed, unsure, hypocritical, sincere, lovable, revered, loathed, snooty, exalted, and cast down. Even Lata Mehra, the girl for whom a suitable boy is being sought out, even she is not technically the undisputed protaganist in the novel... so many interesting sub-stories are at work throughout this year long adventure, that, at the end, it would be difficult to single out anyone as having the leading role. It would only be proper for them all to join hands and take a bow, our job being merely to applaud.
This book is a river with many tributaries. But it IS a river. There is a source, a unity, a connecting thread... it flows from a high point, yet the structure of A Suitable Boy is different from most "plots". There certainly is no single "bad guy" or "good guy" to point to. Here we've got four families, each member of which has their own growing up to do... and as in real life, there is no time or place for a single plot. Yet, all of them (the Mehras, Kapoors, Khans, Chatterjis), have a profound effect on each other and great themes such as pride and humility, passion and patience, the practical vs. the romantic, power and authority... these themes emerge and keep the reader not only awake, but enthralled.
It's true that there is a lot of tedious (yet necessary) political stuff going on in this book. But I found that just as I was getting tired of it (or overwhelmed, or let's say it, bored) Seth moved on... just in time, for me anyways. I can sympatize though, and see how some readers would like to set a match to that Zamindari Abolition Act! Hello? I must say that I found Lata's decision unpredictable and surprising, and right up until reading the very sentence I did not have a clue as to what she would decide to do, if anything at all. I accredit my surprise to the author's skill.
When Mrs. Mehra says to her younger son Varun at the end of the book "You too will marry a girl I choose" I had to laugh, and think "Hey, what a great foreshadowy segue into a sequel called A Suitable Girl".
And if there were such a thing of equal size to this present book, I would wade right into it without hesitation. A Suitable Boy is a masterpiece, and I'm confident that any true lover of story will not only appreciate it, but find it unforgettable.
Rating:
Summary: Always a long, enchanting journey into every human passion
Review: Do not waste your time looking for Brahmpur on an Indian map: the city, simply, does not exists.
Nevertheless, reading the pages of this timeless book, the accurate description will make it look much more alive than many a real one. Lata's search for a suitable boy is one of the few books able to capture the reader's attention ever since the very first lines. Set-up in post-independence India, far from the epic telling of Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" or Vikram Chandra's excellent "Red Earth and Poring Rain" (published a few years later), this multi-layered novel, as it slowly unwraps the main character's adventures, offers a glimpse over a changing society, divided from the cultural and politic imprinting the British colonialism inevitably left and the slowly, progressive recovery of an independent identity, later leading to the splitting of Pakistan.
Lata's journey across India, either real or virtual, and across her mind, the generation conflict between a mother and a daughter, sons of wealthy people dealing with poetry, handsome men with the only guild to belong to another religion, honest working guys, unfaithful wives, a restless political class, conflicts between old idols and progress are all part of this timeless fresco of a changing society.
Using his visual skills, as well as a developed taste for sounds, as already shown in his debut novel (the award-winning "The Golden Gate", a novel in verse, on the heels of Puskin) and in the one which followed the present one ("An Equal Music") Seth masters this 1500 page long book literally hypnotising the reader, slowly and charmingly leading him to the very practical conclusion of a journey which will accompany you for the rest of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing story
Review: This book is one great storyteller and keeps you enraptured with the characters and the feelings,you can lose yourself in the world that is living here.One of the most beautiful books I have read.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite book of all time
Review: This book is really long, but worth the read. The characters are so richly developed, and their lives all entertwine eventually in the book. It is just amazing. I loved each and every character in this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read.
Rating:
Summary: EX CEL LENT !!
Review: Though it s a big book, and is very hard to start.. once you are involved with the Mehras and their relatives, you cannot live without them ...When you finish the novel, you still want to go on and know about what s happening with them ...
This novel features all the aspects of India ... history, religion, family, rituals, education, politics .. it s a complete guide to India in a very unformal way ...
Must read it !!
Enjoy your reading !!
Rating:
Summary: Are you ready for a long journey into 1950's India?
Review: I will be brief and merely add some comments to the many reviews already written on this book. First of all, I think it is a very good book, but definitely not for everyone. If you're thinking about reading it, you're probably wondering if it's worth the effort of investing in such a long undertaking. Here are some suggestions: If you are yourself Indian and/or interested in India, especially early post-independence Indian history, then you will probably find this a very interesting read. Vikram Seth manages to pack an extraordinary amount of historical, economic, social and cultural detail in his novel, which is, after all, essentially a love story. But it is also a story about -- not just set in -- India. If you have no interest in India or Indian culture (or Pakistan and sub-continental Muslim culture), you will likely be confused by many words and references, and you should keep away from this book. Likewise, if you are interested in Hindu-Muslim relations, Seth does a good job at highlighting some of the key issues and the different ways some Hindus and Muslims look at the same issues. In this, it is amazing to compare what he wrote about the 1950s with the situation in India today. You can't understand what's going on in India today without a good dose of history, and Seth knows that. Well, what if you're not really one way or the other as regards Indian history and culture, but you like big family dramas? This book is also for you. Seth has so much compassion for his characters, that you will find it very hard not to empathize with at least several of them. Moreover, he injects a great deal of humor into the book. It is a book about people, about life -- in all its aspects, about death, about family, and more. However, on the down side, Seth's writing style leaves a bit to be desired. He is no James Joyce, no Faulkner. Although at times his prose does achieve something close to poetry (Seth is originally a poet), these instances are very rare indeed. Usually at dramatic moments, I felt he was trying too hard. At other times, I found his prose simply pedantic -- not awful, just not very good. So ask yourself, how much do you care about really good writing? Most people don't care. For me, it matters a great deal, and proved a slight obstacle in enjoying this book. However, on the whole for me, the good outweighed the bad. For many people, this will be a highly enjoyable and heart-warming read. But don't take my word for it -- you can read the first 20 pages and see for yourself. You'll get the tone and style of the book right away. It doesn't change after that.
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