From the Bookshelf of WACKY READING CHALLENGES…

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Vikas Swarup

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Dec 07, 2012 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, movie, favorite, contemporary-fiction, literary-fiction, library, social-commentary, concierge, india

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 knowl 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.
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