Well, we had a great discussion on this book, which was a somehow a cross between a comedy, a mystery and a social commentary on the seemingly corrupt and striated Indian society. So what did the author intend? Any or all of the above? Who knows, it is all a bit tongue in cheek while the plot moves forward with what are fairly damning twists.
The structure was daunting, as each of the six suspects was introduced in a chapter, then the story developed from each character's viewpoint. It took me a bit to figure out who was talking as those stories developed, all except the uber-stereotype of the stupid American. You know who I mean. Was it an accident that the character was named after an internet pioneer but was actually a forklift driver at Walmart? I don't think so.
The Bollywood actress maybe got the most words; she seemed to be an interim character. From a poor village and family, she now sits in a place of privilege and wealth, sought after by many of the richer, politically powerful characters. Her end was a bit shocking, a bit inevitable. As Ashley said, having someone else pretend to be you never ends well.
Each of the characters had its own position in Indian society and its own perspective, and that was the most interesting part of the book. The mystery was not so compelling, and few of us were reading on to find out "who done it." We read on, based on our discussion, because we were fascinated by the turns of the characters, the perspective and history, and the underlying criticism of the system that created and allowed them all.
So, overall, a really good read. On the other hand, it read like a screenplay and could be difficult to follow. I can't wait to see how the movie is, coming out in 2018!
On to our next book, a historical novel set in 14th century Scandinavia. The novel is The Bridal Wreath by Singrid Undset, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928, an honor not often given to women in that age or any other for that matter. We will meet on November 14 at Susan Smithwick's house.
December is our annual book swap at my house (unless someone else wants to host) and January's book is Hamilton by Ron Chernow, the inspiration for the phenomenon that is the Broadway show. Lynn says start early, it is long with small type. Can't wait!!
