Sacred Games: A Novel (P.S.) by Vikram Chandra
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Book Reviews of Sacred Games: A Novel (P.S.)
Book Review: Near Miss At Greatness
Summary: 4 Stars
Even at close to 1,000 pages, this book pulls you in and keeps your interest. It never drags, with each of the intertwined stories carrying its own weight, and each deserving of presentation. Each character has a purpose--so in that sense, the book is well-crafted and well thought out.
I also enjoyed the presentation of Indian culture, from the competing religious factions in Indian society--Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, to the love of "filmi", to the way that things get done administratively (through bribes, and assertion of power). etc.
While a thoroughly enjoyable read, this book was a 4 star for me, rather than a 5, as I never really felt myself truly connect with any character--as I do in great literature. The closest I came was Sartaj, the detective, in his search for love, honor and fulfillment. The interior life of the characters seemed to be less important to the author than moving the story along. While that probably limited my ability to love this book, I must admit it made it a much easier and breezier read (to the extent a book of this length can ever be called breezy).
My other objection related to the use of Bombay slang. While I understand the author's desire to create a vivid portrait of Bombay life, I found that flipping back and forth to the glossary multiple times per page got tiresome really quickly. Moreover, I was really surprised to find that many, many words (some of which were repeatedly used) never even made it to the glossary. Forcing your audience to stop reading and start searching is bad enough; but then failing to reward their patience by omitting many apparently important words is really unforgivable. For example, an important plot point deals with Sartaj's searching for three sadhus. That the publisher elected to omit the word "sadhu" from the glossary is really puzzling--they probably never read the book!!!!!
In conclusion, a VERY GOOD BOOK, not a great one; but definitely worth a read.
Ken
Book Review: Long, but worth it.
Summary: 4 Stars
A long, sprawling, complicated story that I'd highly recommend.
At 800 pages (and because I didn't want to haul a book of this size on a 10-day trip to Europe) this took me two months to finish. And I felt like I lost a few details of the story from taking a 10-day break, so I actually want to read it again to see what I missed.
The author is an incredible storyteller; the characters -- even very minor ones -- are vividly written. I really got sucked into this story, and as a bonus I learned a lot of Hindi cursewords (there's a glossary in the back to help with some of the non-English words and phrases sprinkled throughout the dialogue).
Pay attention while reading; seemingly meaningless details and minor characters show up later in the story and almost everyone ends up being connected in some way. I'm not usually a fan of cop/gangster stories, but this book is a lot more than just a bad guy-good guy chase story.
Some familiarity with Indian history and culture (Bollywood stars/major films, Partition, the caste system and the many religions of India) may give you a deeper understanding of what's going on, but is not necessary. (I guess what I'm saying is, it may help you but don't let a lack of knowledge stop you from reading this book.)
Note to the faint of heart: the book does contain some graphic descriptions of violence and sex, but it's about cops and gangsters, so what do you expect?!
Book Review: a wonderful book
Summary: 4 Stars
I have to admit, I am a big Chandra fan. Red Earth and Pouring Rain is one of my favorite books. I also loved Love and Longing in Bombay. Sacred Games is a different sort of experience. It is slow to start. It takes about 3 weeks to get through the first 200 pages and then, it will take you two days to get to the end. You won't be able to put it down. I loved the ending....you just have to connect it. The sister was alive all along! I thought it was the last end that needed to be tied up. I love how at the end, we do not know if Gaitonde was a pathetic loser or a Don of epic proportions. Perhaps he is both. While the endings to Red Earth and Pouring Rain and Love and Longing in Bombay were somewhat of a let-down, here, Chandra delivers. We are left thinking. It is, as Hanuman says in Red Earth, like eating a good meal. :)
Book Review: Not even finished yet
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not even finished yet (300 pages to go) but I love this book regardless of what happens. Mr Chandra gives us a story as messy and complex as India itself. I'm not Indian (although I know several) and have never been to India (hope to some day), but the major (and many minor) characters struck me as complex and all too human, and I'll be very surprised if I ever visity Mumbai some day and it isn't very much like the way Mr Chandra describes it. I'm struck by how many reviewers said that the ending fell flat. While I hope for some answers/conclusions by the end, this novel is very much about the journey--the destination for which is merely an excuse for the trip.Book Review: Good work by Vikram Chandra
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is hard to keep away. I managed to finish the book in 3 days and my workouts and work suffered for those three days. I have a problem with the galis (cuss words) though in every other sentence and seems superfluous. Overall a well researched book and would definitely read more from the author in future.