Book Review - Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

Image: My own

From the book cover: A former tiffinboy from Mumbai, Ram Mohammad Thomas, has just got twelve questions correct on a TV quiz show to win a cool one billion rupees. But he is brutally slung in a prison cell on suspicion of cheating. Because how can a kid from the slums know who Shakespeare was, unless he has been pulling a fast one?

In the order of the questions on the show, Ram tells us which amazing adventures in his street-kid life taught him the answers. From orphanages to brothels, gangsters to beggar-masters, and into the homes of Bollywood's rich and famous, Slumdog Millionaire is brimming with the chaotic comedy, heart-stopping tragedy, and tear-inducing joyfulness of modern India. 

My thoughts: I'm a firm believer in not judging a book by its movie. In this case, I had seen the movie some years back and felt disappointed. There was a lot of hype surrounding it and the movie just didn't do it for me. So, when I saw the book at my bookstore, based on which the movie was taken, I picked it up immediately.

Moreover, I have read most of the author's previous works and remember enjoying it immensely. Swarup writes in a a way that I can connect with as a reader. And more importantly, he does not shy away from writing characters that are far from perfect. He always does a wonderful job in portraying 'grey' characters, that makes you like them for their flaws. 

So last evening, I picked up this book with an intent of covering just a few chapters. But I was so caught up in the novel that I finished it in one go, over few hours. I must confess that I stayed up till almost one last night reading this. It is so captivating that you get sucked right into the story along with the protagonist, Thomas. 

The book is narrated in the first person by Ram Mohammad Thomas(there is a story behind the name as well). He is an orphan and he recounts his entire life story to his advocate, Smita (and to us). There are twelve chapters in total corresponding to the twelve questions that Thomas gets encountered with. In fact he gets asked a total of thirteen questions, but the last question is a plot twist as we come to know in the last chapter. 

Each chapter begins with a flashback as to how Thomas learns the answer to the corresponding question which is told in a series of flashbacks, and brings us back to the present, at the end of each chapter. The life of an orphan who thrives on the chawls and slums of Mumbai, Agra and Delhi are portrayed very realistically without being patronizing. 

Thomas is portrayed neither as a simpleton nor as a victim. He has his strengths and flaws. He is shrewd, quick to learn, adapts to his surroundings and street smart. There are so many other characters that I loved besides the protagonist. Whether it was his best friend Salim from the orphanage, Neelima Kumari the famous actress or the 'tragedy queen' as she is referred to by the media, that Thomas worked for, Gudiya, a helpless girl from the slum that hr grows fond of, or Nita the prostitute with whom he eventually falls in love with.

These are characters etched out in a lot of depth. For instance, Neelima Kumari and her fixation with being youthful and the ironical climax of her story. I'm not going in detail, but please do read this one if you haven't. There are only a handful of Indian authors that I like and enjoy and Swarup is one of the few on the list. I highly recommend Slumdog Millionaire. Read it not to just get a feel of the underbelly of India, but to embark on a thrilling journey that will keep you on the edge of your seats right till the last line. 

* The book was previously published as Q&A.

Book Review - The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

Image: My own

From the book cover: Miss Marple takes a vacation. 

The blonde, in a white evening dress, lying on the hearth rug in the library, had been strangled with her own sash. 

Reports of missing persons filtered into the police station. Under the eagle eye of the Chief Constable, the police follow these leads. The suspects multiplied. 

The owners of Gossington Hall call in their friend from the village for advice. And it is Miss Marple who finds the thread linking all the clues.

My thoughts: This is the first Miss Marple mystery that I read. Yes, I know I'm late to the party. But better late than never. Anyway, the title alone was enough for me to pick this book up. Isn't it interesting? There were a lot of good reviews on this and I went into it with high expectations. 

I sat down on a warm afternoon expecting a good old murder with Miss Marple. However, a little bit into the book and I was disappointed. No, the story line was excellent. The only problem was that Miss. Marple doesn't make much of an appearance until the second half of the book. 

There were far too many detectives and police officers handling the case and it was difficult for me to keep track of all their names and roles in the story. Like all classic Agatha Christie novels, you get absolutely no clue as to who might have actually committed the murder until the very last chapter. Almost all the characters that we are introduced right from the beginning can be a considered a suspect in ways more than one. 

As the case unravels, we meet a lot more characters, be it the dead girl's cousin- Josie, the wheel chair bound Conway Jefferson and his in-laws- Adelaide Jefferson and Mark Gaskell, the Bantrys to name a few. All of whom has a motive for murder. But the real twist in tale is when a second body is discovered not long after the first one. 

Now, I don't want to give away too much of the plot as it will take all the fun out of a crime mystery. I was totally satisfied upon completion of the book as we are given a proper explanation as to the motive for the murder and all loose ends are tied up nicely. Now, only if there was some more of Miss Marple and her brilliance, I would have declared the book perfect and given it an additional star. 

Should you read it? Yes, if you are a fan of Christie and Miss Marple (no matter how small a role she plays, it is crucial to the book), then this one is not to be missed.