Rating: 
Summary: Read this book with your heart, not your brain.
Review: I actually came across this book before the hype and the Booker Prize, etc. so I found it a real treat discovering something of a jewel. Sure, there were Joyce and Rushdie influences, but who cares? The fact that the book draws such strong emotions from the readers, both positively and negatively, actually says something about the nature of the book. Read it with your heart and you'll find that all the fragments DO fit in an elaborate mosaic. If one tries to dissect this book to death, he/she will lose much of what it has to offer.
Rating: 
Summary: Life is short, Don't waste it on some thing this ugly.
Review: I promised some one I care about that I would read the book and so I read it. I definitely regret reading it. I did not enjoy a single page of it, wholeheartedly. Ms. Roy was successful in demeaning every character in her book and every segment of Kerala. May be she has nothing positive to say about life but in reality, even the worst sections of society have some thing nice about them. She managed to offend every section of that society, quite successfully if I might add. Her writing style may be good, in describing the scenes. But one has to ask oneself, what is it I am going to take away after reading this book. Zero. It left me angry as she raped every one of her own characters, mercilessly. I like to look at positives in every negative situation but Ms. Roy took that pleasure away from me. I am sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking and truly majestic Ms. Roy
Review: Congrats Ms.Roy on a very exciting and extraordinary book,though the story moves slowly,the use of phrases and english is mind blowing making the story really exciting.It arouses in me the ignorance of the Kerala village even though I am in India.The picturseque view of the village is enticing and so are all the characters and the conclusion terrific,all in all a must read.All the Best for the next wonderful book.I can truly say loudly-I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN.
Rating: 
Summary: worth the effort
Review: yes its tough to get thru some of the smart-alecy set pieces. read it in small doses or youre sure to miss the gems that lie between the words. cant believe its her first work.
Rating:
Summary: Watch yourself doing the things you did as a kid. Must read.
Review: A fascinating book. It brings us to think about the things we did when we were kids, things we never noticed. The memories seem to have been carefully put away and brought out in the form of this book. A very intense book where every word seems to be very thoughfully written.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: The book is an unfaultering display of beautiful language and challenging ideas. I really loved reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: It had potential, but failed to deliver
Review: I thougnt that there were many good ideas and themes emerging from the story, but that none were developed. I finished the book wondering if I was missing the next few hundred pages. I don't recommend this book at all. Not only is the story unsatisfiying, but the writing style is extremely annoying as well.
Rating:
Summary: fabulous
Review: I loved this book. It was a great read, timely in its analysis of class differences that continue to plague India. Lawrence
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad if you have time to kill.
Review: I found this book extremely difficult to continue reading. I read about halfway through and had to force myself to go on. I found all of the characters repulsive and the horrific conclusion gave me nightmares (literally). Waaaayy too many similes and Joyce-esque words (ie "sariflapping".) However it stuck in my mind and haunted me. So I give it 6 only for that reason, because I really did not enjoy reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Southern India and still so familiar
Review: This novel leaves you really enthralled. I didn't expect to be interested in the lives of people in the south of India. I bought it because I sort of liked the first two pages. Normally I don't really go for this exotic stuff. But as soon as you start reading this one you are led back to those hazy thoughts or feelings of your childhood, to those struggles to come to terms with the world all those adults around you have built for themselves. And then there is this strange story of love and death cleverly unfolded with lots of hints that make you curious. And then there are all those feelings, impressions, descriptions which make you really smell this river, feel the heat, the denseness, the fear, the uncertainty, the danger of losing the love of your parents etc. Having finished this novel I can still feel it somewhere in my emotions. This is something I can't remember having experienced before. Gerhild Ahnert
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