Nobody Does the Right Thing

by Amitava Kumar

A young poet is killed by her lover, a politician, in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. Soon afterward, across India in Bombay, an idealistic journalist is hired by a movie director to write a Bollywood screenplay about the murdered poet. Research for the script takes the writer, Binod, back to Bihar, where he and his cousin Rabinder were raised. While the high-minded Binod struggles to turn the poet’s murder into a steamy tale about small towns, desire, and intrigue, Rabinder sits in a Bihari jail cell, having been arrested for distributing pornography through a cybercafé. Rabinder dreams of a career in Bollywood filmmaking, and, unlike his cousin, he is not burdened by ethical scruples. Nobody Does the Right Thing is the story of these two cousins and the ways that their lives unexpectedly intertwine. Set in the rural villages of Bihar and the metropolises of Bombay and Delhi, the novel is packed with telling details and anecdotes about life in contemporary India. At the same time, it is a fictional investigation into how narratives circulate and vie for supremacy through gossip, cinema, popular fiction, sensational journalism, and the global media.

Genres: Fiction

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Amitava Kumar is a novelist, poet, journalist, and Professor of English at Vassar College. He was born in Bihar, India; he grew up in the town of Patna, famous for its corruption, crushing poverty, and delicious mangoes.

He is the author of Nobody Does the Right Thing; A Foreigner Carrying in the Crook of His Arm a Tiny Bomb; Husband of a Fanatic: A Personal Journey through India, Pakistan, Love, and Hate, a New York Times “Editors’ Choice” selection; Bombay—London—New York, a New Statesman (UK) “Book of the Year” selection; and Passport Photos. He is the editor of several books, including Away: The Indian Writer as an Expatriate, The Humour and the Pity: Essays on V. S. Naipaul, and World Bank Literature. He is also an editor of the online journal Politics and Culture and the screenwriter and narrator of the prize-winning documentary film Pure Chutney.

Kumar’s writing has appeared in The Nation, Harper’s, Vanity Fair, The American Prospect, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Hindu, and other publications in North America and India.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the first page, it is clear this is the first work of fiction written by a talented non-fiction writer. The prose is precise and well-crafted, but it has an after-taste of academia.

The plot is intriguing, but the setting gets in the way for readers, such as I, who are not too familiar with India. This is a story as much about two regions in that vast country as it is about the human characters. I gravitate towards novels like this one, because I think creative fiction is one of the best vehicles for learning about culture and sociology. However, this particular novel felt more like an inside-story than something meant to be shared. I couldn't keep up with the casual references to specific neighborhoods, historical events, and geography. That is of course more my failing than the author's; even so, it made it more difficult to enjoy this book. I will revisit it after taking a class about contemporary Indian culture.

[Rachel Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads program.

I couldn't even bring myself to finish this book, and it's very rare that I stop reading something halfway through. (I got very close to the end before I gave up.) Don't get me wrong, this book is well-written, though it seems to take for granted that the reader understands enough about Indian culture to be able to follow the story, but I was completely lost. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and it just didn't seem like anything happened. There was very little dialog and very little action, so it seemed to be more of a commentary on social happenings than anything else. I was very disappointed because the blurb made it sound like it might be an interesting read.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of unexpected events and demonstrates a depth of human-ness with fully developed characters. While there are differences in the culture of the United States and India, the similarity among people, their dreams and fears, is illustrated poignantly. Nobody Does the Right Thing rings distantly of Slumdog Millionaire but is still original in and of itself. Open the pages and step into a new world.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads but was a bit disappointed. The story moved extremely slowly that I often found myself falling asleep. I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this story was but it was really boring. Of all the books I've read taking place in India nothing seems to ever compare to A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads Giveaways, though I don't remember signing up for it. I need to expand my reading to different countries and cultures so I was excited to get starte. The book was good, but really hard for me to read. I have issues with certain aspects of the culture but thought the author wrote a believable story.

[Rian Nejar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather difficult to read, even for one from the very same geography and culture, with a complex story that plods along. Nevertheless, a well-written work, with interesting characters, that depicts very many Indian sociopolitical aspects. Diligent ethnographic researchers may find the book informative, but it is not exactly a moving, enlightening story.

[Marcelina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this Goodreads book and am just waiting for it to arrive!

I have received the book, and am disappointed. Like other readers I found the story hard to follow. I didn't connect with any of the characters. I found it disjointed and uncertain of what was going on.

[Shanna]

I won this book, but I am getting discouraged. There are many bad reviews. I will still give it a chance when I am done my practicum & have more free time!

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of Binod, a journalist, his cousin, Rabinder, their village, Patna in Bihar.

[Sunita]

Need prior knowledge of the culture to get it. Authentic, well written.