- Paperback
- Publisher: Viking (15 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0670058602
- ISBN-13: 978-0670058600
- Product Dimensions: 15.7 x 11.4 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,624,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A novel written in verse, set in the 1980s, in California's silicon valley. The work focuses on a group of twenty-somethings looking for love, pleasure and the meaning of life.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Vikram Seth was trained as an economist. He has lived for several years each in England, California, China and India. He is the author of From Heaven Lake: Travels through Sinkiang and Tibet, several books of poems, two novels (not in verse), A Suitable Boy and An Equal Music, and a memoir, Two Lives.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A novel written in sonnets; Well it worked for Pushkin and it most definitely works for Vikram Seth.
I first discovered Vikram Seth, when i was sent a copy of his first (travel) book 'From Heaven's Lake' to review. This book was brilliant and I boldly described it as one of the greatest travel books which would ever be written. Nearly twenty-five years later, I have not changed my opinion about that book one iota.
I approached 'Golden Gate' however, with hesitancy. It all seemed a bit gimmicky and although I was a big fan of Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin', also written in sonnets, I felt that Seth's book would be, at best, an anachronism. How wrong I was! This book is truly one of THE great works of modern literature and cannot be praised highly enough. It is quite simply, beautiful.
Vikram Seth has now found international fame as a result of the bestselling 'A Suitable Boy', but, in my opinion, this is his greatest work. It's just a shame I won't be around in a hundred years to remind everyone of how perceptive I was! (and humble; we mustn't forget humble)
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book, written complete in sonnet verse is simply amazing. When you open the cover and discover that not only, the main text, but the Acknowlegments, Table of Contents, Dedication, and "About The Authour" are also written in sonnet form, you'll know that Seth means business.
The entire book is written in Iambic Tetrameter (with strict rhyming to boot), yet though I thought this would be forboding, it really wasn't, and is amazingly readable. You'll even find yourself, having put the book down, thinking and talking in the line length that the authour uses!
The book itself, details the lives of a close knit group of Californians, initially centering about a programmer (though the omnisient narrator darts around a bit) and his life, relationships, and the waxing and waning of his friendships. Seth achieves this with utmost brilliance as the protagonist falls in and out of love, even venturing into brief promiscuity.
The Golden Gate ends with a few broken hearts, and is indeed vaguely depressing towards its finale. Seth's style, however, is true to the end, and indeed it is a well recommended read (even if just for the experience!). Just pick it up and be immersed - you won't be able to put it down.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Read this book. Seth manages to sustain throughout the length of a novel a demanding verse form which allows him to demonstrate a high degree of technical dexterity and poetic wit. More important, he tells a tale which demonstrates a deep sympathy with all his characters: Seth pardons all because he understands all. Once you've read the story for the plot you will read it again to savour the many felicities of language and, pervading all, nothing less than a philosophy of life based on the acceptance of others and the value of friendship and love.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a fun read
The Golden Gate is Vikram Seth's first novel. It is set in the eighties in California and tells of twenty-somethings: John, Phil, Janet, Liz, Paul, Claire, Sue, Ed, Rose, Chuck,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cloggie Downunder
The Yuppie Pushkin
"The Golden Gate" is that rare beast in late 20th century literature, a novel in verse. And not just any sort of verse. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J C E Hitchcock
Quite possibly the most surprising book you'll ever read
I originally picked this book up from a library on a whim, thinking that it might be an interesting experiment. I then pretty much read it from cover-to-cover without stopping! Read more
Published 13 months ago by P. White
A joy to read
Genius! I loved every moment of reading this wonderful book. I'd like another one please!
Published 21 months ago by Sophie Boss
The great 20th century masterpiece
To hell with the modernists! Deliberate obscurity has never been a part of the best literature, and this superb long poem rates for me as the greatest masterpiece in English verse... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Bradley Winterton
Golden Gate: brilliant book
This is an amazing book, a novel in verse; I approached it as somewhat of a duty, but was immediately drawn in, and really enjoyed it; the story is touching, the characters real,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by ck
Stupendously magical
I was tickled to come across this book again recently, which I first read over 15 years ago. If you enjoy good writing, you'll love this book. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2008 by Aesop
The Golden, Great Vikram Seth
Since I got a little - ok, a lot - carried away with my review, I thought I'd begin with my concluding paragraph so that you don't have to wade through my ravings (unless you'd... Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2008 by Ms. Katie J. Down
Brilliant and entertaining
An astonishing 300 pages of rhyming verse recount the story of a group of young Californians as they strive to make sense of their lives and loves. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2006 by 100wordreviewer
It's all true
I can only add my agreement to what has been said before. This is undoubtedly one of the finest books written in the past fifty years. An amazing achievement.
Published on 7 Jan 2004 by "vickibraggart"
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