From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Everything I want in a book: engaging characters, a bit of a plot, a little fun, a tiny bit of underlying seriousness. Sampath Chawla has grown up to become quite a disappointment to his family. He works in a post office where he spends most of his time reading the mail that comes through the office. His father is in despair; Sampath has no ambition. One day, Sampath leaves his job and, almost without thinking much about it, climbs up into a guava tree. He doesn't come down. As time passes, a my
...more
Unusual story written in beautiful language. Talks about life in India, probably in the 1960s, and a young man's attempt to escape from his everyday boring crowded existence.
...more
This was a slow start, but soon gains momentum and it felt impossible to put down. I loved that it was a light and quick-paced read -- I read it incredibly quickly. I giggled throughout a good deal of the book and especially loved Pinky's romantic angry subplot. This is Desai's first book, and it feels like the first novel of a soon-to-be-great writer. I recommend if you're into light-hearted, quick, and good reads.
...more
This was an interesting story about a young man in India who was not satisfied with his family or his life as a postal worked. He wanted the wide open spaces, so he climbed a guava tree, and stayed there for many months. Unfortunately, all of the things he disliked about his former life followed him to the tree, and he had to deal with them all over again. It is a humorous story that will make readers think about how people carry their problems with them wherever they go.
Mar 07, 2008
Ching-In
marked it as to-read
Jan 05, 2014
Amina
marked it as to-read
Apr 05, 2015
Jocelyn
marked it as to-read
Mar 19, 2023
Brenda
marked it as to-read
Sep 04, 2025
Davida "Davi"
marked it as to-read
