Sue's Reviews > A Suitable Boy
A Suitable Boy
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by
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Sue's review
bookshelves: india, historical-fiction, read-2014, favorites, kindle, plan-to-re-read
Dec 02, 2010
bookshelves: india, historical-fiction, read-2014, favorites, kindle, plan-to-re-read
A Suitable Boy takes place over the course of a year in an India which is adjusting not only to independence but to partition. Through the stories of some of the major families of Brahmpur, we observe and participate in not only the day to day activities of individuals but the workings of government, developing industry--some quite primitive, the existence of caste--though outlawed, religious hatred, and the search for love and marriage. There are beauty and violence, squalor and humor, festivals and riots. It is a very full year.
At the center is Lata, searching for that "suitable" boy, the man she will marry.That quest is not finalized until the end of the novel and is worth reading about but so much more is happening. I came to this book with a smattering of knowledge about India and Indian beliefs and customs and come away with a feeling that I have learned enough to want to know more. This is a country both rich and poor: rich in tradition, rich in religious beliefs, rich in an amazing ability to pick itself up from disaster but poor in ability to distribute its wealth and to eliminate its history of castes (I do recognize that this novel is set in the 1950s), poor in eliminating government graft, and poor in eliminating inter-religious strife. All are on display here and have not been eliminated today. (I will not hesitate to say that the country I live in, and most others have many of the same problems to one degree or another.)
But family is at the center of this novel and Lata at the center of one family.
[Lata] wondered what one could do to be born happy, to
achieve happiness, or to have it thrust on one. The baby,
she thought, had arranged to be born happy; she was placid,
and had as good a chance as anyone of happiness in this
world...Pran and Savita, different though their backgrounds
were, were a happy couple. They recognized limits and
possibilities; their yearnings did not stretch beyond their
reach. They loved each other---or, rather, had come to do
so. They both assumed, without ever needing to state it---
or perhaps without even thinking explicitly about
it---that marriage and children were a great good.
( pp 951-952)
This is one of the examples for Lata to observe. Of course there are other, some decidedly less functional.
This book does require a major investment of time and attention but for those who give it, there is a great return. Personally I find well written historical fiction a wonderful road to explore another culture.
Highly recommended!
At the center is Lata, searching for that "suitable" boy, the man she will marry.That quest is not finalized until the end of the novel and is worth reading about but so much more is happening. I came to this book with a smattering of knowledge about India and Indian beliefs and customs and come away with a feeling that I have learned enough to want to know more. This is a country both rich and poor: rich in tradition, rich in religious beliefs, rich in an amazing ability to pick itself up from disaster but poor in ability to distribute its wealth and to eliminate its history of castes (I do recognize that this novel is set in the 1950s), poor in eliminating government graft, and poor in eliminating inter-religious strife. All are on display here and have not been eliminated today. (I will not hesitate to say that the country I live in, and most others have many of the same problems to one degree or another.)
But family is at the center of this novel and Lata at the center of one family.
[Lata] wondered what one could do to be born happy, to
achieve happiness, or to have it thrust on one. The baby,
she thought, had arranged to be born happy; she was placid,
and had as good a chance as anyone of happiness in this
world...Pran and Savita, different though their backgrounds
were, were a happy couple. They recognized limits and
possibilities; their yearnings did not stretch beyond their
reach. They loved each other---or, rather, had come to do
so. They both assumed, without ever needing to state it---
or perhaps without even thinking explicitly about
it---that marriage and children were a great good.
( pp 951-952)
This is one of the examples for Lata to observe. Of course there are other, some decidedly less functional.
This book does require a major investment of time and attention but for those who give it, there is a great return. Personally I find well written historical fiction a wonderful road to explore another culture.
Highly recommended!
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Reading Progress
December 2, 2010
– Shelved
August 16, 2012
– Shelved as:
india
August 16, 2012
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
September 19, 2013
–
Started Reading
October 4, 2013
–
16.62%
"Such a story of interlocking families, accidental meetings and sightings, love and hate and something in between, class struggle with extreme poverty offset by middle class comfort. A huge portrait of a city with so many parts which seem to all overlap."
page
245
October 13, 2013
–
23.74%
"So much more than a search for "a suitable boy". The changing political and economic times, the class and religious differences, the years after the partition. Lots of history here."
page
350
October 23, 2013
–
34.06%
"What a great group of characters introduced over the past chapters. The Chatterje party, The younger generation out on the town, Fun an interesting reading picking up details of culture through family stories."
page
502
January 5, 2014
–
42.81%
"Each time I slip back into this book, I wonder why I've been away so long. Somehow I have to get back to their lives often and find out what ultimately happens with Lata's life...and all the others in this huge book."
page
631
January 12, 2014
–
56.31%
"The land rules/laws are so dry but have such import. The festival is so amazingly unruly and has moments of bliss and horror."
page
830
January 23, 2014
–
63.98%
"Change continues in India, in the family and individual lives that have been followed from the start of this novel. It's no longer "just" about a suitable boy (and really never was, I suppose)."
page
943
March 13, 2014
–
85.55%
"Which one will be the "suitable boy"? Lata seems to be slowly eliminating the prospects."
page
1261
March 18, 2014
–
93.89%
"So much has happened within the past 100 pages, within the nation-gathering for elections, within the Kapoor family besieged by pain on so many sides. And still Lata has yet to meet the suitable boy."
page
1384
March 19, 2014
– Shelved as:
read-2014
March 19, 2014
– Shelved as:
favorites
March 20, 2014
–
Finished Reading
September 2, 2018
– Shelved as:
plan-to-re-read
September 2, 2018
– Shelved as:
kindle
Comments Showing 1-50 of 69 (69 new)
message 1:
by
Heather
(new)
Sep 19, 2013 08:16PM
![Heather Fineisen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1344521650p1/6482072.jpg)
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![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Jeanette (Ms. Feisty)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1304653755p1/796425.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Jeanette (Ms. Feisty)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1304653755p1/796425.jpg)
Re your progress update, is there not an e-book of this?
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Margitte](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1650004119p1/7481492.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Margitte](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1650004119p1/7481492.jpg)
I just ordered it. It comes so highly recommended by readers whom I thought would never read books other than about their own country, so I will prepare myself for this long read. lolol.
![Margitte](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1650004119p1/7481492.jpg)
I expect to wait about three weeks for it. But it is something to look forward to.
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Barb Bailey](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1410477401p1/1127910.jpg)
Sue wrote: "It's a very good book, but very long. So plan on time to read it. I think it's fascinating learning about India since I really don't know much about the country. Another good author is Rohinton Mis..."
thankyou !
![Diane Barnes](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1329773692p1/7262060.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Fionnuala](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1368182051p1/5498525.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Dolors](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1691612725p1/18383778.jpg)
I have yet to travel to India but I felt as if I had met the country, its culture and traditions after spending so much time with Lata, whom I came to care about dearly. Later on I moved to Mistry's A Fine Balance and found a much more harrowing vision of what I believe has to be both a terrible and beautiful country. Thanks for bringing back memories of this great novel with your well crafted review, Sue.
![Fionnuala](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1368182051p1/5498525.jpg)
So interesting, Sue, because I've no memory at all of Malvolio being mentioned in the book - I really don't remember much apart from the fun I had reading it.
It was the words of the quote that reminded me of Malvolio. Funny how all the books we've read get more or less forgotten but the lines of Shakespeare we learned at school still manage to pop up in our overloaded brains: Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them...
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
Some of the characters put on a production of the play which had a fairly prominent place in the middle of the book. I agree that Shakespeare does seem to pop up in our reading and now I'm also finding that Dante does too since I'm involved in reading The Divine Comedy.
![Teresa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697659386p1/541416.jpg)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
It is a commitment though not everyone takes as long as I did (I ran into a plague of migraines in the middle) and as always was reading more than one book. It might well go much quicker for you Barbara.
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
You're very welcome Teresa. I have to say that I too became more and more fond of the characters and the story as it progressed and am very glad I read it. Heavens---I may even read it again someday---at least parts of it.
![Teresa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697659386p1/541416.jpg)
That's how I felt too after finishing it.
I did read his 2 other novels because of this one. I enjoyed them both, but this one is still my favorite.
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
That's how I felt too after finishing it.
I did read his 2 other novels because of this one. I enjoyed them both, b..."
I'm thinking about checking out his other books. I assume (silly me) that they aren't quite as long! I see that there are many books listed under his name. Which 2 did you read?
![Kalliope](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1428482885p1/3593962.jpg)
You're very welcome Teresa..."
I was so hooked when I was reading this one, that I got into some trouble for being rude and antisocial... I just could not leave the book... and we would drive to the beach and I would read in the car.. then read it while walking to the shore, then sat under the shade reading the book.... etc...
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
You're very we..."
It's so big, I'm surprised you could read it while you were walking. :)
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
I have Golden Gate on my list. I'll add Equal Music. Thanks Teresa.
![Teresa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697659386p1/541416.jpg)
Just a warning ;) -- An Equal Music will have you looking for the accompanying music, and I ended up buying the CD that Seth eventually issued when readers kept asking for it.
![Kalliope](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1428482885p1/3593962.jpg)
I have it in three volumes - trilogy format.
![Teresa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1697659386p1/541416.jpg)
That definitely helps! I remember reading it in bed late into the night and trying to get comfortable at times -- didn't stop me though! I read it in a binge too.
![Kalliope](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1428482885p1/3593962.jpg)
Just a warning ;) -- An Equal Music will have you looking for the accompanying music, and I ended up buying the CD that Seth eventual..."
This is another wonderful book... and Sue, after Doktor Faustus, here you have another one with lots of music references, but easier to follow...
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
Just a warning ;) -- An Equal Music will have you looking for the accompanying music, and I ended up buying the CD tha..."
Oh that's an inducement to read it sooner rather than later. I think I'll add it to my calendar for this summer.
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
Just a warning ;) -- An Equal Music will have you looking for the accompanying music, and I ended up buying the CD that Seth eventual..."
Is the CD the same title as the book?
![Sue](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1274829293p1/3642045.jpg)
That definitely helps! I remember reading it in bed late into the night and trying to get comfortable at times -- didn't stop me tho..."
The three books must have helped1 I definitely read the final 500 pages in binges of 100 pages. I think if things had been different, I would have read the entire book much the same way.
![Barb H](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1696095270p1/1883816.jpg)
![A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth](https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329421639s/50365.jpg)