'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy unfolds the intertwined lives of fraternal twins Rahel and Estha against the backdrop of India's strict societal norms. A tragic event from their childhood shapes their destinies and exposes the harsh realities of love, loss, and forbidden relationships. Through a rich tapestry of imagery and nonlinear storytelling, Roy explores themes of caste, colonialism, and the innocence of childhood. Each small moment in their lives reverberates with profound implications, pulling readers into a world where the smallest things hold monumental significance. This haunting narrative encourages us to question the constructs of society and the remnants of history that linger in personal lives.
By Arundhati Roy
Published: 2008
""Things can change in a day. Just like that.""
WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An affluent Indian family is forever changed by one fateful day in 1969, from the author of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness “[The God of Small Things] offers such magic, mystery, and sadness that, literally, this reader turned the last page and decided to reread it. Immediately. It’s that haunting.”—USA Today Compared favorably to the works of Faulkner and Dickens, Arundhati Roy’s modern classic is equal parts powerful family saga, forbidden love story, and piercing political drama. The seven-year-old twins Estha and Rahel see their world shaken irrevocably by the arrival of their beautiful young cousin, Sophie. It is an event that will lead to an illicit liaison and tragedies accidental and intentional, exposing “big things [that] lurk unsaid” in a country drifting dangerously toward unrest. Lush, lyrical, and unnerving, The God of Small Things is an award-winning landmark that started for its author an esteemed career of fiction and political commentary that continues unabated.
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“"Things can change in a day. Just like that."”
The God of Small Things
By Arundhati Roy
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Arundhati Roy is an acclaimed Indian author and political activist, best known for her debut novel, "The God of Small Things," which won the Booker Prize in 1997. Her subsequent works include the non-fiction titles "The Ministry of Utmost Happiness" and "Field Notes on Democracy," as well as essays that address social justice, environmental issues, and the complexities of contemporary India. Roy's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, rich imagery, and profound emotional depth, often blending fiction and political commentary to challenge readers' perceptions of reality. Through her narratives, she explores themes of love, loss, and the impact of history on personal lives.
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