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The God of Small Things

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The God of Small Things

By: Arundhati Roy
Narrated by: Aysha Kala
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About this listen

Winner of the 1997 Booker Prize. The richly exotic story of the childhood the twins Esthappen and Rahel craft for themselves amongst India’s vats of banana jam and mountains of peppercorns.

Here, perhaps, is the greatest Indian novel by a woman. Arundhati Roy’s ‘The God of Small Things’ is an astonishingly rich, fertile novel, teeming with life, colour, heart-stopping language, wry comedy and a hint of magical realism.

Set against a background of political turbulence in Kerala, Southern India, ‘The God of Small Things’ tells the story of twins Esthappen and Rahel. Amongst the vats of banana jam and heaps of peppercorns in their grandmother’s factory, they try to craft a childhood for themselves amidst what constitutes their family – their lonely, lovely mother, their beloved Uncle Chacko (pickle baron, radical Marxist and bottom-pincher) and their avowed enemy Baby Kochamma (ex-nun and incumbent grand-aunt).

©1997 Arundhati Roy (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Political Heartfelt Funny

Critic Reviews

‘Richly deserving the rapturous praise it has received on both sides of the Atlantic…“The God of Small Things” achieves a genuine tragic resonance. It is, indeed, a masterpiece.’ Observer

‘“The God of Small Things” genuinely is a masterpiece, utterly exceptional in every way, and there can be little doubt that posterity will place it very near the top of any shortlist of Indian novels published this century.’ William Dalyrmple, Harpers and Queen.

‘The quality of Ms. Roy’s narration is so extraordinary – at once so morally strenuous and so imaginatively supple – that the reader remains enthralled all the way through to its agonizing finish…it evokes in the reader a feeling of gratitude and wonderment.’ New York Times
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Beautifully written, more poetry than standard novel, able to conjure the most shocking cultural brutality with the emotional depth of an impressionist painting. The use of time and spirituality as unmarked stagehands is reminiscent of Isabelle Allendes magic realism.

Magnificent

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Having read this book years ago, it was just as enjoyable as I remember. Great characters and the performances are brilliant. The story invoked The sites and smells of India, the story gives an insight into the complexities of life in India. I recommend this book it’s up there with Rohan Mistry’s A Fine Balance.

This book stands the test of time

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beautifully written and narrated magical realism...may not be your cuppa if you like suspense and lots of action. beautiful pace to immerse your senses in the environment. you can smell the story

sensorial feast...en pointe performance.

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Shockingly confronting at times and utterly delightful for the rest, what a ride. The narration could have been better, absolutely brilliant. Thank you Arundhati and Aysha:)

What a story.

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what a beautiful book though I think for me personally I needed to read it rather than listen to it but it's a great discipline in mindfulness focusing on this evocative story.

beautiful, poetic meander

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The story was great but it was a bit too wordy and non-linear for it to really shine in an audio book format.

Great book, but not really suited to audio book

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Some parts were really good and others slow and boring I found. No for me the book.

I found it difficult to follow as time jumped around

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it's hard to describe the absolute devastingly beautiful, rich unique voice of this story without sounding cliche, but it deserves every expounding platitude and more! I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself into this tightly woven world. The narrator's performance was just perfect, particularly for this book, complementing the story perfectly.

Beautiful, rich prose & sublime narrative!

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If you like poetic language and a story that jumps back and forth in time, this one might be for you.

Poetic language

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One of my favorite books , i read it yearly.
Wow ,listening was a whole new experience .
The narrator was supreme and onpoint with inflection, accent and humor.
A wide range of emotions are sparked from this story, sadness and anger being the two main protagonists.
Highly recommended.

Outstanding!!

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