Rating: 
Summary: what friends should have been
Review: the philosophy of romanticism has definitely moved into the twentieth century in operas and to a lesser degree in romantic comedies. it's also been in sitcoms, such as friends which will come into an end fortunately. but is there any way to write a novel in sonnets after eugene onegin? if you're vikram seth, the answer is "yes" and romanticism blends with twentieth century values. seth's epic poem "golden gate" honors, yuppie life, the search for love and economic strife, philosophy amd politics and the san fransisco lifestyle.
the novel begins with john brown, a twenty something single looking for love. with the help of his old time friend jan he meets lizz dorati, runs into phil, his old roommate phil, and lizz's brother ed. these characters will date each other with varying intensities throughout the next two years.
golden gate surveys the beauty of san fransisco, and these educated ordinary people with maturity on their sides and poetry in their hearts. while lizz and john hook up, we get a feeling that the romance may have triumphed too soon. and the readers are right. but seth keeps us guessing as to who will be happy with whom. what made me care most about these yuppies are their problems. most novels and comedies place fake crises in front of charcters so they can break up so they can be happy. but we get the feeling they have real problems and must come to a real solution. some are solved, while others are not. one couple break up because of politics and a cat- the other ceassefire because of religion.
there's so much in this book, it's hard to say all that is included. it's all about philosophy and politics, and strange to say- this "golden gate" is as relevant now as it was when first published, in '86. a lot of golden gate reminds me of another non american author who wrote about the californian lifestyle- anyone know william sorayan? there' s a lot to be discussed because we care so much about these characters, who they are and how they drudge through the primer of the daily life. i liked the first half of the book better than the latter, but both are sufficient. one may think that with such a comic ending there may be a full cricle with a likely ending, but seth drives home the loneliness and glory of the yuppie life with tragedy. even though it's been over a hundred years since eugene onegin, i'm glad there has been a relative rendition. highly recommended, even if you hate poetry.
Rating:
Summary: A splendid work!
Review: Vikram Seth has a brilliant style, where ordinary words, events and people stand up and potray emotions in delicate detail. His wit, and wordplay apart, this novel in verse is a fine story of love and loss. Once I read this novel, I found myself reading everything that the author has published yet. Each book written in a different style, and on different substance, Seth is both engrossing and endearing. I believe with Rushdie, Vikram Seth is perhaps the most erudite Indian writer in English of post-colonial world! Though unlike Rushdie, Vikarm speaks in soft and simple language, and addressing so many different styles (travel book, longest novel in English, poetry, novel in verse, novel set in 1950-60s India, novel set in San Fransisco, and London, and Tibet, etc) with such mastery is a mark of his genius.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit hard to get into...
Review: Vikram Seth possess a heap of talent...he's a great poet, a clever wordsmith-and if you take his self-depricating asides in this and "A Suitable Boy" seriously, a nice guy. But this book didn't quite work for me. The basic plot line seemed silly and a little dated, and wrapping it all up in this poetry package couldn't change that. It's full of lattes, pet iguanas and yuppies, which gets a little tiresome.It just kept making me doze off at night. I'd read it out loud (better for the rhythm of this thing), after a while, the meter and the wording seemed forced, not clever.
Rating:
Summary: He's Written Better Books
Review: Well, to start with, I feel this book again capitalizes on the writer's ability/ desire to draw more than anyone else on style rather than substance. 690 verses (I hadn't noticed the count till I read it in one of the reviews), strung together to tell a story is in itself a novelty to make a book a hit. Admittedly, there is more to its credit than the verses themselves. But unfortunately, it is not too much. In any case it is worth a read. The style evidently makes up for the mediocre story line. The usual twists and turns are all there. However, some of the verses are striking in quality. Like the one describing spring. This particular one was a home run. Being a good poet who also has the patience to write a novel has its advantages and Mr. Seth is well aware of it.A story set in San Fransisco in 1980 about a bunch of yuppies, their fading families, queer pets, jobs and affairs of the heart. Touches upon a few issues which seemed to burn the world at that point of time. The emotional chrod just isn't struck. Actually, when I read the first verse which was describes the hero as a 26 year old with yuppie credentials (lonely, successful etc.) hopes were raised since I am 26, lonely and passably successful. Read it. Can be definately read once at least.
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