I have finally taken the plunge into A Suitable Boy - a book I have had on my shelf and my TBR list for the longest time. I think the size of the book has made me procrastinate in regards to starting it - my reading tastes tend to swerve and change according to my moods and what is going on in my life at the time so I have been hesitant to commit myself to such a long read (1474 pages!!) as I have wondered if I have the stamina to stay married to only one book for an extended period of time. But, so far, so good! I have found myself totally immersed in the story and the characters and I have not wanted to stray away - as yet!
The book is set in post colonial India and begins with the marriage of Pran and Savita. The author introduces us to the other main characters in the story through a review of the wedding guests and family members. The genograms at the start of the novel show the details of the four main families that the book will follow, the Mehra's, Kapoor's, Khan's and the Chatterji's.
I am realising as I read on that my knowledge of Indian politics and history is lacking - but my reading doesn't seem to be affected too much by that so far. I feel there has been just enough explanation and back story given to allow an ignorant reader such as myself to have enough knowledge to follow along.
I am finding the story to be totally engrossing - like a vivid soap opera with all the dramatics, sorrow and playfulness that go along with that genre. I am already discovering favourite characters (Lata, Savita's younger sister and the girl needing "a suitable boy" according to her mother, is already a firm favourite for her fiestiness).
I'm 345 pages in and enjoying the ride!
8 comments:
Hi Karen ... I have also had this book on my bookshelf for several years, but have not started it. You make it sound interesting. Please let us know your final thoughts on it.
Sounds like something I might like too...... will chase it with my favourite book person. Just read Water for Elephants and realised where I read about it first: your blog. Wrote some thoughts about it too.
I love family sagas, but don't know if I could read such a chunky book. I'll wait for your final verdict before I add it to the TBR!
So glad you're enjoying it so far...
There is something about this novel whihc attracts me - but the length of it.... For the time being I shall enjoy reading about it through your posts.. and maybe that will tempt me to dive in for myself.
Wow! That's great that you are so caught up in the story. Sounds like it is going to be a fun and interesting read. Enjoy! And thanks, because now I'll be adding this book to my TBR list. Cheers! By the by, I love the cover of your book.
Hi Carol - I will be sure to keep you all up dated on how it is going!
Hi Chat Noir - Well done for remembering you read about Water For Elephants at my blog - I am hopeless for remembering which blog I read something on!
Hi Anbolyn - This is definitely a family saga book!
Hi JoAnn - so am I!
Hi Joan - I hope I can help you make a decision about whether to pick it up for yourself or not.
Hi Nadia - it is a gorgeous cover isn't it? I bought it as a Birthday treat to myself two years ago now so it is definitely time to read it I think!
Hi Karen
Glad you are enjoying A Suitable Boy, it is probably my all time favourite novel. I read it when I was 18 and still remember Lata and her family. I think it is a book that can be read in bitesize chunks, I think it took me 2 months to read! Ceri
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