The God of Small Things

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Summary: This is a book of poetry that get to the essence of things.
Review: Ms. Roy's metaphors are fresh and original, her narrative non-linear. I was reminded of "The English Patient" which unfolds in the same non-linear style, and which is also a mystery.

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Summary: A treasure filled with moments of true grace and tenderness.
Review: This novel certainly has several "down" times, and it may be difficult for some readers to overlook them. If you can, though, the special language and observations that Ms. Roy offers are both magical and heartbreaking. The children in the work are fantastic, believeable characters with honest voices and smart minds. There were so many times that I stopped to appreciate their insights and it is because of the whirly decriptions and quirky comments on life in general that I felt this book change me and force me to consider all of the deep emotions every man, woman, and child faces in the world. A world all of its own, this novel is a real gem for anyone with a sensitive side.

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Summary: Absolutely Heart Wrenching
Review: This book started out great and I was totally mesmerized, but by the end I was so disgusted and heartsick Iam surprised Oprah hasn't picked this book for one of her selections. (Most of her books deal with totally dysfunctional people and families) I was so so sad for these children in this book and the way they were treated by those who were supposed to love them. These people were so screwed up!!!!! And the thing that disgusted me the most was the author having the siblings have a sexual relationship in the end of the book. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT??????? What did that add to this already totally depressing story. I felt horrible when I finished this book. Yuck!!!! I never want to go to India.

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Summary: Worth the effort
Review: The God of Small Things is not an easy book to get into and it certainly has its faults, but it is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I found the first 35 or so pages the most difficult to get through because of the confusing names and the way the author dropped hints of what was to come without providing a plot or a context with which to help understand them. Gradually however the book began to draw me in--I wanted to understand exactly what tragedies befell the family in the book, I began to care about the twins and their mother and Velutha, I appreciated the author's beautiful prose and her ability to write about little things like the way a spider looks or the smell and sound of water. Yes, the author's prose was sometimes a little over wrought and yes, I did get bugged sometimes by how long it took the author to let us know the details of the tragedies her characters would suffer, but overall, her book is a real accomplishment. I cried as I read the last couple chapters.The chapter where Ethra leaves on the train is heart-wrenching and the one where Ammu and Velutha make love by the river was absolutely beautiful.Not at all like the "bodice ripper" novels that one Amazon.com reviewer compared it to. I admit, I have only read a few of those kinds of books but none of them impresssed me as quality writing, much less good literature.

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Summary: The Best Book I've read in a long time
Review: I picked up this book last year and after the first 50 pages got tired by its endless cast of characters. I put it down but returned to it several months later. The second visit was totally magical. Ms Roy has a unique ability to capture a whole time and place not only by her characters, but by making the English language come to life in a manner that few contemporary writers in the English language can or will allow themselves to. Undoubtedly there are moments in the book that deviate from the emotional tautness delivered by most of its prose, e.g., the last chapter that describes sexual situations in a style reminescent of Harlequin romances , but those are forgiveable intrusions. The book leaves you speechless for most of the part by its emotional impact and its style. Ammu's final visit to Rahel may have been short and precisely presented, but it wrapped the reader in emotions that were so overpowering, yet fragile. I read AS Byatt a few days after I finished "God of small things" and Byatt's style and subjects seemed so tiny and dead in comparison.

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Summary: best book i've ever read
Review: I'm appalled with the review written by the woman describing it as being about "the voodoo movement in India." Where was the substance for that comment? It was beautifully written. Every moment that I wasn't reading it I was looking forward to picking it up again.

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Summary: much ado about nothing
Review: I dont understand why folks in india made such a big deal about this book. I think that is why many of us read it here becoz there was so much publicity given to it. I found it hard to remember the names of the characters and consequently did not know who was who while i read the book. pb

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Summary: A classic of the century
Review: Ms Roy's command of the English language is extraordinary.She is able to create images that jump at you and stick to you.I cannot forget Velutha,his brother and the children,Their uncorrupted fondness for each other.The Police brutality reminds me of some of the actions of the L.A. Police.The sadness that flows through the narrative envelopes the readers' heart.I get the feeling Arundhati was possessed by the spirit of some great writers like Emily Bronte.It is a book to be read again and again.Something new will be found everytime.

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Summary: Blasphemous book!!!!
Review: This book is the worst piece of fiction ever written. I recommend all sane people to ban this book immediately. "God of Small Things" is about the voodoo movement in India. All God-fearing human beings must NOT read God of small things.

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Summary: College Student Fiction Hits Bestseller List
Review: After giving in to all the hype, I took this book on vacation last year and was looking forward to a great read. Plowing through the time distortions and sensory overload, a very sad story unfolded like a mutant lotus. This book isn't bad; it's just that the style of writing is so embarrassingly dated: it brought to mind echoes of college student (or high school student?) essays that tried desperately to cram in as many of the five senses as possible to meet those all-important grades. I applaud Roy's courage to address India's caste system, and despite the confusing chronological fluctuations the story is fascinating and riveting at its heart, but sometimes reading her novel is like reading an old Ray Bradbury book: an old writing style that went out with bell bottoms and big American cars. The end of the book is wrenching, as one might expect given the several obvious hints dropped throughout the novel. Because it's so dark, I wouldn't call this book a gem, nor would I recommend it to people with delicate sensibilities, but it's interesting nonetheless. Despite the overall flaws, Roy is able to transport the reader to another place and time.