Rating: 
Summary: A great book!
Review: I read "A Suitable Boy" when it first came out back in 1993 and I have been recommending it to friends and avid readers ever since. Many people would find reading a 1,400 page book a daunting task, but in this case it is pure pleasure. I, like a friend of mine, began to ration out the final chapters dreading to see the story come to an end. I loved the characters (especially Lata's mother) and the love story that is basically the heart of this novel. By the time I finished this book, I felt like these characters were friends that I knew and, I must admit, felt a great deal of sorrow to have to let them go. Seth's language is rich and transports you to 1950s India, giving you the sights and smells of the places in which he is placing you as the reader. I heard about the time the book was released that Merchant/Ivory ("A Room With a View") had bought the film rights to this book. I'd love to see them adapt this work for the big screen. In the meantime, I think I'll just re-read it. Pick up this book....you won't look back!
Rating: 
Summary: A Fun Novel
Review: Though it's quite a large book (the biggest single volume novel till now I believe) I for one have really enjoyed reading Seth's novel. It encompasses all traits necessary to keep the average reader's attention. The Stanford economist delivers all...a little comedy, drama, conflict, politics, suspense, and a unique array of characters. It's wonderful how he introduces and goes into detailed lives of all of them and makes them all have a purpose to the story in its entirety. Another big plus for the book is that it's easy to read because it's written in simple English; however, the general diction is a bit archaic. Overall: it was a very fun read.
Rating:
Summary: lyrical prose with a political bent
Review: Someone thrust this book at me with the command, "Read this." I usually disliked being forced upon but the days have been dreary so I started reading the book. From the first poetic 'acknowlegement' and 'contents', I was hooked.Who is Vikram Seth and how is it possible that he is able to play with words that makes me laugh for joy? If you want to read a sypnosis, read the above reviews; if you want to read a response then read my incoherent ramble. I feel transported to an India that is a little familar--I, too, am a child whose country was once colonized by the British--Lord, do I know of Chivas marmalade, Quink washable royal blue ink etc--Seth's dialogue is peppered with "two tight slaps" that I remember my dear mama promised me if I misbehaved. The dialogue, the strangeness of looking up to a race that despises you is all too familar and sad to me, and yet I can understand. I know why Meenakshi buys British and not rationed goods. (Hmmm... it's time to reread Jamaica Kincaid's excellent "A Small Place" to remind me of the effects of colonialism) Not having read Seth's poems, I love his poetic prose (sounds trite, but this is the only way I can seem to define his narrative style) His words are consonant-rich, embedded with vowels and multisylablles that sing even as you read them out loud. He has a marvelous and playful sense with words; to have them would seem to be enough, but to have them AND create a rich story like this humbles me. The book reminds me of Spenser's Faery Queen, with the characters appearing and disapppearing in gallant prose. I also think of Cao Xue Qin's Story of the Stone, a rich 17th century Chinese saga of multi-families and gender issues. I feel so happy to have read this! But be glad I won't attempt a couplet like the Chaaterji children ...
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: I've just completed my 2nd reading of A Suitable Boy, and it's amazing how many different things I got out of it this time. What appeals to me most is the feeling of total immersion in the rich, diverse culture of India. Each of the characters is finely drawn, but my favorite is Maan, who undergoes a complete transformation in the course of the novel. Seth's got a gift for style; E. M. Forster comes to mind as a model for his writing. And he is a wonderful and clever poet, too. Note that the dedication and Table of Contents are sonnets (in the manner of his wonderful The Golden Gate). Not everyone will want to spend the time, but if you do, it's well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: 1000+ pages wasn't enough!
Review: I read this book when is was first published. It's the type of story that gets me absorbed so far into it that 1000+ pages will still ecome to an end too soon. I think it would be more interesting to persons with an interest in India and its culture like myself. I had hoped we'd get a sequel of thousands of pages too!
Rating:
Summary: Like Tolstoy or Dickens
Review: The negative review of "A Suitable Boy" are not unfair -- it is true the book is light, the characters are rather superficial, and the plot is rather simple. Still, the book is one of the most enjoyable novels I've read of late. Like Tolstoy or Dickens, Seth's novel is a grand epic potboiler, meant as an intelligent entertainment. It would be easy to imagine "A Suitable Boy" broken up as a serial and spread across months of periodical publication. It is, in short, a soap opera, but a delightful and witty one. It's not a deep book, but it is well-crafted and the characters -- not deeply drawn but intriguing nonetheless -- kept my attention. Despite the book's length, it flows quickly, and I found myself having passed 100 pages in what felt like the time needed for 20. Perhaps it's the simplicity of the story, but its 1,500 pages seemed like 400, so the length should not deter. "A Suitable Boy" is a great light read even though the tome itself is heavy. Call it a "summer book" for anyone with an interest in India or Indian fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: oh dear what a waste of a tree
Review: oh no! I have just scanned through a few reviews of this book and couldn't believe I seem to be the only one to have suffered each page without delight! I have read the whole thing all the way through so my criticism is fair. I found the characters two dimensional and completely uninteresting, like a crowd of faceless Mills and Boon hero's and heroine's. They were all impossibly handsome or staggeringly beautiful and lived such charmed lives I am surprised Seth didn't end the book with a host of heavenly angels lifting the families to paradise. This book has no depth and even the weighty subjects of religion, death and politics are dealt with unsatisfactorily. Political rants and dramatic events are given such little colour or excitement that I found myself strangely unmoved. It has no tragedy, nothing bad ever happens to anyone of "importance" and even when it does there is always a happy ending, usually accompanied by some of Seths irritatingly unpoetic poetry. It seemed that at the end of the book the author was left with a few characters too many so he killed them off with as little passion as is usual in the story. The tale has no twists,well none that are unexpected, and is so predictable you can see who the suitable boy is as soon as his character is introduced. I persevered with this book, hoping my efforts would be rewarded but became increasingly frustrated. I only refrained from throwing it across the room for fear of breaking something. I did cheer when I had finished but only because I would not have to deal with the chugging storyline and the whines of those who people this book any longer. I would suggest to anyone contemplating reading the book that if they want the satisfaction of being someone who has managed to read it then go ahead, but I would rather read a dictionary. It sounded like the scenery was nice though!
Rating:
Summary: One-paced
Review: I tried really hard to like this book. Having failed in that, I tried equally hard to dislike it. I found that I could do neither - rather, I ended up feeling utterly indifferent to it. "A Suitable Boy" is set in India in 1951/52, an India struggling to come to terms with aftermaths of independence and Partition. Political and religious differences dominate the scene against which Lata (and her mother, Mrs Rupa Mehra) attempt to find a suitable boy for Lata to marry. The book is in reality a vast Indian soap opera. To use an analogy, its like a huge, slow-flowing river, impressive only for its size. To extend the analogy, I like to encounter some swifter currents, some rapids and perhaps a few waterfalls to sustain my interest. Disappointingly, the pace of the novel rarely varies from the pedestrian. Even in passages such as the description of the Pul Mela, Seth seemed unable to raise the tempo, to convey truly emotional and dramatic events in a way which moved me: the story just continued its sedate flow. At its worst, the prose seemed bathetic. The novel does have its positive points: its not a difficult read - the style is accessible, notwithstanding its limitations. So, "A Suitable Boy" may be good to take on vacation for beach reading (but make sure you book a long stay). The size of the book did impress my fellow commuters, although my arms and wrists are thankful that I've finished it.
Rating:
Summary: Rich and Grand!
Review: 'A Suitable Boy' is full of rich and detailed accounts of India and everything Indian. It is a great book to read, though I must say that I nearly didn't pick up the book at first glance (due to the size). It took me some time to finish reading the book but, what a journey it was!!!! Once you've been introduced to the characters of the book you feel yourself submerged into the world of the Mehras, Kapoors, Khans and Chatterjis as well as their friends and enemies- a world full of passion: of love and hate. The main focus of the story is on Mrs Rupa Mehra and her quest to find a suitable boy for, her daughter, Lata to marry. And Vikram Seth has charmingly woven the tales of the other various people, who are equally interesting, into the story. Politics also plays a main part in the novel, since it is set in 1952 when India was newly independent and as well as struggling to keep peace among the Hindus and Muslims in the country. But even at the times of extreme hatred and fightings among the people of the two religions, we see the strong ties of friendship and love shared between the families of Kapoors (Hindus) and Khans (Muslim). The rural life of India is explored through Maan Kapoor and the reader is transported to peaceful villages where the life is slow. And the urban life of India is best represented by the Chatterjis who live in the city of Calcutta where life is full of busy social gatherings. The main theme- Love, is what we see in each of the characters, not just for their lovers but also for their parents, siblings, children and friends. The book is a treat for everyone and once you start reading it, you'll not want to stop!
Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY ENGROSSING AND TRUE TO LIFE
Review: This is one of the best books i have ever read.Although the book is long , it is inevitable to correctly portray all the characters.There is no doubt that vikram seth is a genius in writing, he deserves all the acclaim for his work.
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