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abbywebb's review against another edition
4.0
I heard about Slumdog over the Christmas holidays when I kept running into friends who had seen the movie. I had no idea really what the movie was about, even after watching the trailer online. The one thing that I did know about the movie: it was pretty stinking good.
A couple weeks later, I was at Costco when I saw a book for Slumdog Millionaire (previously titled Q & A). On a whim, I ended up snatching the book and taking it home with me.
I just finished reading it today and I have to say that it was highly entertaining. It captured the beauty and the ugly of India (both in fiction and in reality). The book was about a boy who had been poor his whole life and grew up as an orphan. One day, he is a contestant on a game show similar to Who Wants To Win A Million Dollars. He actually wins the top prize but then is suspected of cheating. Each chapter thereafter is titled for the domination of the corresponding question on the game show. The character tells a personal story in each chapter (you forget entirely about the game show), followed by review of a question from the show. Basically, he tells his story while justifying why or how he knew the correct answer for each question.
To say the least, it was a very interesting fashion to organize the book and it kept me captivated throughout the entirety of the novel. All of my friends and relatives are begging me to lend the book to them (even one who generally doesn't read that much to begin with). I am eager to see the movie now and I am hoping that I don't have to wait until it comes out on dvd...
By the way, Slumdog received several nominations for the movie version of the story and won: one Screen Actor's Guild Award (best cast) and four Golden Globes (Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score). Further, the movie is nominated for 11 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and 10 Academy Awards. How awesome is that?!
A couple weeks later, I was at Costco when I saw a book for Slumdog Millionaire (previously titled Q & A). On a whim, I ended up snatching the book and taking it home with me.
I just finished reading it today and I have to say that it was highly entertaining. It captured the beauty and the ugly of India (both in fiction and in reality). The book was about a boy who had been poor his whole life and grew up as an orphan. One day, he is a contestant on a game show similar to Who Wants To Win A Million Dollars. He actually wins the top prize but then is suspected of cheating. Each chapter thereafter is titled for the domination of the corresponding question on the game show. The character tells a personal story in each chapter (you forget entirely about the game show), followed by review of a question from the show. Basically, he tells his story while justifying why or how he knew the correct answer for each question.
To say the least, it was a very interesting fashion to organize the book and it kept me captivated throughout the entirety of the novel. All of my friends and relatives are begging me to lend the book to them (even one who generally doesn't read that much to begin with). I am eager to see the movie now and I am hoping that I don't have to wait until it comes out on dvd...
By the way, Slumdog received several nominations for the movie version of the story and won: one Screen Actor's Guild Award (best cast) and four Golden Globes (Best Drama, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score). Further, the movie is nominated for 11 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) and 10 Academy Awards. How awesome is that?!
lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
I saw the movie that was based on this book many years ago and didn't remember anything about it except that I liked it a lot. After I was a few chapters into the audio book, I started re-watching it and realized how different it was from the novel. I didn't finish my re-watch but I did just finish the book so I can't really comment on the differences but, wow, what a good book.
There are some intense moments and a few bits that made me tear up - either with sadness or joy or relief. I'm happy I had the opportunity to listen to this book. I think parts of it will stay with me for a good long time.
I'd give it 4.5 but rounded down on Goodreads because some of the flashback portions were difficult to figure out where they fell on the timeline.
There are some intense moments and a few bits that made me tear up - either with sadness or joy or relief. I'm happy I had the opportunity to listen to this book. I think parts of it will stay with me for a good long time.
I'd give it 4.5 but rounded down on Goodreads because some of the flashback portions were difficult to figure out where they fell on the timeline.
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Audio book performed by Christopher Simpson
5***** and a ❤
When this extraordinary debut novel opens, Ram Mohammad Thomas has been arrested for cheating on the hit television quiz show, Who Will Win a Billion?. The producers and police simply cannot believe that this uneducated waiter could correctly answer the twelve questions to win the top prize. Ram is rescued from police interrogation (torture) by an attorney and the novel unfolds as he recounts the life experiences that resulted in his knowledge of the correct answers. (If this plot sounds familiar, the novel was adapted into the movie Slumdog Millionaire; the movie plot differs significantly from the book.)
What an extraordinary novel! Swarup takes us on a tour of every human emotion – humor, joy, despair, heartbreak, anger, jealousy, love, compassion, pity, scorn, derision and hope. Thomas is a wonderful narrator, though I did find his vocabulary somewhat elevated for a street orphan who had virtually no formal schooling. He is intelligent, loving, resourceful and kind. It is his unfailing belief in his dreams and willingness to do whatever necessary to achieve those dreams that endears him to the reader. On the other hand, he is no angel. He is honest in relaying those instances when he succumbs to temptations and baser instinct.
The novel is full of scenes that are nothing short of gut-wrenching, exploring the realities of life for the poorest of the poor, and exposing the worst of human behavior. But there are also scenes of tenderness and kindness, and even some occasions for humor to relieve the tension. From beginning to end, I was completely captivated by the story, and surprised myself at how “on-the-edge-of-my-seat” I felt as the questions got harder (since the novel starts by telling us that he won the top prize).
Christopher Simpson does a superb job on the audio book, maintaining a good pace and giving an emotional performance. He is a talented voice artist, easily switching accents – including Americans, Japanese, Australians, and British in addition to Indians. Despite a huge cast of characters I had no trouble following the story line and keeping them straight.
5***** and a ❤
When this extraordinary debut novel opens, Ram Mohammad Thomas has been arrested for cheating on the hit television quiz show, Who Will Win a Billion?. The producers and police simply cannot believe that this uneducated waiter could correctly answer the twelve questions to win the top prize. Ram is rescued from police interrogation (torture) by an attorney and the novel unfolds as he recounts the life experiences that resulted in his knowledge of the correct answers. (If this plot sounds familiar, the novel was adapted into the movie Slumdog Millionaire; the movie plot differs significantly from the book.)
What an extraordinary novel! Swarup takes us on a tour of every human emotion – humor, joy, despair, heartbreak, anger, jealousy, love, compassion, pity, scorn, derision and hope. Thomas is a wonderful narrator, though I did find his vocabulary somewhat elevated for a street orphan who had virtually no formal schooling. He is intelligent, loving, resourceful and kind. It is his unfailing belief in his dreams and willingness to do whatever necessary to achieve those dreams that endears him to the reader. On the other hand, he is no angel. He is honest in relaying those instances when he succumbs to temptations and baser instinct.
The novel is full of scenes that are nothing short of gut-wrenching, exploring the realities of life for the poorest of the poor, and exposing the worst of human behavior. But there are also scenes of tenderness and kindness, and even some occasions for humor to relieve the tension. From beginning to end, I was completely captivated by the story, and surprised myself at how “on-the-edge-of-my-seat” I felt as the questions got harder (since the novel starts by telling us that he won the top prize).
Christopher Simpson does a superb job on the audio book, maintaining a good pace and giving an emotional performance. He is a talented voice artist, easily switching accents – including Americans, Japanese, Australians, and British in addition to Indians. Despite a huge cast of characters I had no trouble following the story line and keeping them straight.
gilliangaskill's review against another edition
4.0
This book would have gotten five stars from me if it weren’t for the rampant homophobia throughout the first half. This may have been acceptable at one time, but it certainly did not age well. The author seems to believe that “homosexual” is synonymous with “pedophile”.
kukkale's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emily_stapylton's review against another edition
3.0
Loved how each chapter was relevant to each question of the game show. The ending ties everything up nicely.
I did get a bit confused on the time line as it's not told chronological
I did get a bit confused on the time line as it's not told chronological
annhorchata's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
peetutemonen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite books of the modern age, on my 5th or 6th reread (found it long before Slumdog Millionare was even a twinkle in Danny Boyle's eye). Brilliantly compelling and beautifully tied together, I'd recommend this read to anyone.