I have a feeling (just a hunch, nothing verified) that when Vikram Seth set out to write this novel, he started with a brainstorming session where he wrote down every little detail about India he could think of. And then he put them all in this 1,474-page tome. And not in an unskilled manner either. He quite successfully manages to introduce the reader to 1950s Indian public / political life and private / family life and blending the two into a cohesive whole.

While following the four main families through a year, the reader is introduced to a variety of details about foods, parties, markets, trains, arguments, business meetings, shopping, artists, political meetings, bus rides, myths, cricket games, holidays, music, religions (of all kinds), cities, poor people, traditions, poetry, friendships, love, plants, folktales, scents, countryside, colors, books, rich people, professions, etc. All wrapped up in a web of family intrigue, connections, marriages, children, and love.

It's quite a ride. For almost 1,500 pages. It's a great ride, but it's looong. I have to admit, I skimmed some of the political meetings and discussions, but that's a personal choice - if you like politics, those parts may be the most interesting to you. To me, the most fascinating parts were those describing the various holidays and customs and the foods. My favorite character was Maan - probably because he's such a brat that I just had to like him and when he finally starts to change and mature, I felt I was rewarded and that I was right in liking him to begin with. I'd read a separate book about just Maan. Lata is a great character too, but at the end I wanted to smack her for making the choice she makes, but that just means that Seth has managed to make me very emotionally invested in his character! I'm definitely going to read more of Seth's writing - something a little shorter next time, though. :)

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"A Suitable Boy" is largely well written, readable and has many engaging characters, but it doesn't need to be 1,474 pages long.

There are, I think, actually several fine novels here, and, apart from an effort to be panoramic, I couldn't see why Seth felt the need to squeeze them all into one giant book.

I thought Maan's story in particular could have stood up as a novel in its own right for the most part and largely did not connect with the search for the suitable boy of the title. For me, it was in the experience of Maan and his father that Seth gave the most powerful evocation of the teething troubles of the newly independent Indian nation.

In addition, I did get bogged down in several places, particularly around the legal challenges to the Zamindari Act.

Having said that, I found this a considerably more rewarding read than another attempt to portray Indian independence, "Midnight's Children". ( )

This huge saga takes place in post-colonial India and revolves around the efforts of the overly-protective widow, Mrs. Mehra, to find a "suitable" mate for her youngest daughter, Lata. The characters, of which there are many, are likable, the story compelling, and the time and place complex and exotic. Even though this is long read, if you have to take a break, it's as easy as returning to a favorite soap and just as pleasurable. ( )

Read Michel09's very good review instead. ( )

How is it that something that is obviously fiction can still give you a sense of place and experienced history? This is lyrical prose that makes you witness things. Here is an excerpt: - Cricket, Krishna and Kabir from Lata's eyes - http://www.purao.net/wiki/SuitableBoy... ( )