Vikram Seth

[Philip]

Hi I am new to all of this but am a keen reader.
I have just read A suitable Boy by Vikram Seth and would rate it as one of the greatest books I have read. It captures the language the politics the religion and cultural conflict of India after the english have left and Pakistan has separated. It is a beautiful story of the strength and weaknesses of families and of our many characters.
I would love to write more but feel overwhelmed.

[Joselito Honestly]

I am however intimidated by the thickness of the book. Can you just summarize it so I can just read your summary?

Thanks.

[♥Xeni♥]

Oh yes, I would love a short summary too if you're willing to write one! I am reading a slew of books about India right now, this one might fit right in. And the thickness of a book doesn't daunt me!

But I would love to know a bit more about it before I spend some money on it.

[Philip]

Hi Joselito and Xeni
The story on one level is a family saga. It begins with a marriage and ends with a marriage. On one level it is the romantic conflict the younger daughter Lata goes through before she is married. Throughout the book she winds up with three suitors, one who she loves Kabir a Muslim and therefore impossible. Amit a brother in law and author. And Karesh a shoemaker who is from the right caste. while this is the main narrative of the story. The author writes from many different characters and the events revolving around them. There are elections, religious riots, political manipulations and illicit affairs.
There is moments of great humour and the contrary nature of human character is captured beautifully. The false Englishness of Amit the rhymming couplets of the Chatterji's. The characters are the real strength of the book. you equally fall in love with and get frustrated with them. Perhaps best of all as a none indian you begin to understand the indian condition.
It is Anna Karenia of Indian literature. Please read it.

[Joselito Honestly]

Thanks Philip!

I'll read it after I'm finished with E.M. Forster's A Passage to India.

[Philip]

No worries
I enjoyed the chance to try explain the book.I haven't started "A Passage To India' yet must get on to it.

[Meredith]

A Suitable Boy was such an amazing read. I had a hard time putting it down and blew through it in six days!

An interesting note: Vikram Seth is developing a sequel to this book entitled A Suitable Girl. I think it's due for release in 2013.

[Philip]

I look forward to this new book. I have felt a bit like I've lost a family after finishing it. even though I read it over a much longer time.

[Katrina]

I loved this book, I'm starting one of his non-fiction texts hoping that that will be as well written

[Meredith]

Has anyone here read An Equal Music: A Novel? I did so about a year ago, but it just wasn't the same for me. I own Two Lives: A Memoir and plan to read it soon.

[Philip]

I am a Vikram Seth beginner A Suitable Boy is the only one I have read. I will try others.

[Joselito Honestly]

I haven't read any Vikram Seth yet. However, I've experienced being thrilled to the bones by one excellent work by an author, would try his other books but find all ot them not as good or not worth my time. Example: Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong was marvelous. Eagerly, I sought his other books but found them wanting. It was as if Birdsong and those other S.Faulks' books were written by two different persons. 'Twas the same (for me) with regards to One Hundred Years of Solitude vis-avis other G.G. Marquez novels.

[Kirsten]

Vikram Seth was a guest on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week yesterday: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05ssng0

From the description:
Tom Sutcliffe talks to the Indian writer Vikram Seth about his latest collection of poetry, Summer Requiem: A Book of Poems, which traces the dying days of summer and is haunted by loss and decay.