Best audio books for India?

[Cathy]

I'm heading to India; any suggestions on good books to read before and during the trip? I'm a big fan of Lahiri and not so much of Paul Scott.

[John, Moderator]

The only Indian audio title that comes to mind I've listened to would be Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry - definitely recommended.

In print, All the Fishes Come Home to Roost by Rachel Manija Brown - memoir of growing up in an (Indian) ashram - is a hoot!

[Nancy]

One of my favorite titles, Indian or otherwise, is The Hungry Tide by Amitav Ghosh, read by Firdous Bamji. It's great.

I have also slogged through 46+ hours of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, read by Humphrey Bower, after which I felt like I'd been in India, at least in a past life. It's way too long and overblown, and the only reason I finished it was because I actually paid good money for it. Also, Humphrey Bower is a very good reader; never would have made it without him. Having said that, there are many people who say they love this book, and you may be one of them.

[Cathy]

Thank you all, I'll pick up these titles.

[Deb]

One of my very favorite books on audio is The Hungry Tide. The book and narrator blend into this marvelous tale. It is a story that I would read or listen to again. The places, people ,animals are all so real . I love it when I finish a book and I feel I have visited another place in the world, been invited in to be part of the adventure.

[Kristie]

Q & A, the book on which Slumdog Millionaire was based, is very good.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity is a nonfiction book that's very good as well.

I believe much of A Son of the Circus takes place there as well.

And another vote for Humphrey Bower's narration of Shantaram. Please don't attempt to read it in print...the narration is fantastic.

I feel like I'm missing one or two I've read...I'll keep thinking.

[Cathy]

Hah! I posted this about 6 years ago and here I am still getting great suggestions. I'll buy or borrow these books.

[Kristie]

I didn't notice that! It popped up very high on my unread feed. ☺

[Jeanie]

Cathy wrote: "Hah! I posted this about 6 years ago and here I am still getting great suggestions. I'll buy or borrow these books."

So how was the trip? And did any of the recommended books prepare you for what you found there?

[Cathy]

Jeanie wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Hah! I posted this about 6 years ago and here I am still getting great suggestions. I'll buy or borrow these books."

So how was the trip? And did any of the recommended books prepare..."

Great - I went as a volunteer and so I saw the non-touristy side India. We bought local food and cooked and worked with poor children from a "slum" in India. All the books suggested gave me insight, but particularly Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity and Freedom at Midnight> for historical context. Shantaram was a long haul but fine for the 24 hours spent in planes or airports. Also Family Matters

[Daphne]

*shudder* I've traveled to many different places, and the only one I didn't enjoy was India. It was just so, so disgusting. Not to mention that someone tried to kill me with a motorcyle when they intentionally swerved to hit me. A year and a half later and I still have bruising on my knee from that.

I did LOVE Nepal though. :)