Praveen Kuttuva’s Reviews > A Suitable Boy > Status Update

It is time for the Chatterji family and Calcutta to be in the spotlight.
I'm starting to think that a collection of short stories (by Indian authors) published in 1951 would be a better alternative to this novel set in 1951.

It is time for the Chatterji family and Calcutta to be in the spotlight.
I'm starting to think that a collection of short stories (by Indian authors) published in 1951 would be a better alternative to this novel set in 1951.

A lot of deep-dive into various subjects : politics, feudalism, poetry, poverty, language, philosophy, sports, mathematics, cinema...even shoe-making.
But, curiously, "food" is absent in this deep analysis. Yes, ingredients and dishes are mentioned every now and then, but not much further.
I'm hoping this tome would span at least 2 generations with some of the younger characters growing up...but looks very unlikely.

I understand that every chapter is dedicated to a particular segment of the story. Still, I'm missing the continuity of some events and characters, specifically Saeeda Bai Firozabadi.
Sidenote:
D.V in a letter means Deo Volente, Latin for God Willing.
'gojol' is 'ghazal' in a Bengali accent. (IYKYK)

Reminds me of the book "The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride in terms of the whole host of characters and their respective story lines.
Not very complex, but not quite engaging either

And the romance begins...

I do like how the story is not centered around one character
(I'm looking at you - Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel).

It is good to read about the development & interaction of various characters separately to form the story (Like in a play/drama)

P.G.Wodehouse mentioned as an anti-dote to a heavy heart - Agreed!

"love jihad" was not a term in common parlance in 1993 - published year.

"A breezy read so far, but not much of an intrigue.
1951 : Time period of events.
Wondering if the novel could have been multi-lingual with appropriate footnotes for Hindi and Urdu."