- Paperback: 368 pages
- Publisher: Flamingo; (Reissue) edition (4 Oct 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007135688
- ISBN-13: 978-0007135684
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.1 x 2.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 544,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘Sara Banerji is a very gifted storyteller – such is the passion and conviction of her narrative. She seems a natural, a writer of great warmth and directness. It must be a serious contender for this year’s Booker Prize.’ The Times
‘An ingenious and surprising novel. Banerji performs nimble creative tricks. Her adaptation of an essential human story, which shows that life everywhere follows certain primary patterns, might make this an Indiacentric Ulysses.’ TLS
‘It’s not like any other book set in India I’ve ever read – there’s no striving to be exotic – it’s rich, exciting and moving, at ease depicting the workings of a big, affluent landed household, yet equally confident in its dealings with urban street life. This is a lovely big book.’ Barbara Trapido
Product Description
A rich and dramatic story of a poor young Indian boy who fights like a tiger to achieve fame and fortune.
In a village just outside present-day Calcutta, Koonty, a young girl, is squatting in pain beside the river, convinced that her agony is the result of a fish allergy. It’s not – she’s giving birth and as the realisation dawns on her, she makes the connection with the encounter she had all those months ago with the swimming stranger with the golden bathing shorts…Horrified, she places the baby onto a piece of floating debris, fixes her own necklace around his neck and pushes him downriver. Several miles downstream in Calcutta, the baby is discovered by Dolly, a young married woman desperate for a child. She takes him home and brings him up as her own son, calling him Karna.
And so begins a chain of events which sees Karna’s initial good fortune turn to tragedy so that, years later, he’s forced to seek out Koonty, now married and with a son of her own…
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A beautifully written story set in and around modern day Calcutta. Although born to the same teenage mother, the two brothers have contrasting life-styles. Karna is brought up in absolute poverty whilst Arjuna enjoys all the advantages money can buy. Banerji uses this device to bring to life the vibrant scenes of India, whether it is the breathtaking luxury of a zamindar's wedding or describing the street children's daily fight to feed themselves.
Fate and a gold chain and disc bring the half brothers together and so begins a rivalry which only ends during a race to the death.
The story illustrates the powerful influences not only of Indian myth and religion, but also the awe in which Bollywood film stars are held.
A glossary of the Indian words used throughout would have been helpful, although this in no way detracts from the enjoyment of this excellent book.
Format:Paperback
I read this when it first come out, and loved it so much. But i'm terrible at remembering titles and authors. I've often discribed this story hoping someone could tell me what is was called and too much frustration of others wanting to know what it called as its sounds a fantatic read. Finally found it today after hours of keyword searches in customers reviews and listmania( a hint there for anyone with the same problem). Cant wait to read it again !!
Format:Hardcover
No other book I've read about India has ever been quite so evocative of what it is like to be there - I love the way it intertwines the fates of Karna and Arjuna so easily with the dirty Calcutta streets, religion, tradition and the cult of the Bollywood star - its funny, sad and thought provoking but most of all its just a great story.
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