Draws you in; exquisite connection to humanity; simultaneously painful and glorious

I wish everybody in America would read this book, and then maybe we could all benefit by living in a country which displayed its considerable compassion and love of justice more rather than less (hope that doesn't sound too granola...). I read it 2.5 years ago, and, it is still with me. It resonates that deeply.

This is an achingly painful book about the lives a group of central characters who end up rooming together in a small flat in India in the 70's. Featured prominently are the twists and turns of fate and destiny and the rhythm of life in a impoverished country. The human spirit of these souls triumphs over all of the horrible things that happen to them (things like being homeless, being jobless, being of a low caste, personal loss, etc.). But take heart; take courage: for, it is not so much a depressing read as it is a galvanizing read.

It is hard to imagine how tough it is to make it in a place where even sleeping on the street in a sheltered doorway is a hard-fought/hard-won privilege. But,most definitely, there is tremendous value in trying to imagine how "the other half" live, and, in connecting to these characters in order to question the assumptions and values of own lives and lifestyles. What can I say: read this book, and, it puts it all into perspective. If reading this book does accomplish this for you, then surely, it was a very valuable investment of your time.

Reading this book, you marvel at the strength and the alacrity some of these characters display in the face of such repetitive and sometimes crushing adversity. And yet, optimism and joy is found in these lives. It is not a soap opera book, and, not to sound too snobbish, but, even though it is an Oprah** pick, it is really an awesome read. It did win the Booker prize, and Booker novels are usually superb.

I am not going to sum up the plot or the characters, but, there is plenty going on and the characters are very well developed. Many disparate stories form threads which the writer skillful weaves together. There is a huge variety of details and directions and circumstances which flow seamlessly together. The book will capture you right from the start, and, you won't want to turn away until you finish it. And that even despite its tough subject matter. Perhaps I will later paraphrase the book cover for those of you who really want it, but really, you that kind of "travel log" info you can always get out of Amazon...

(**No offense to Oprah readers and fans, but, I have been suckered into buying three of her book picks, and they have all been simplistic and deeply insipid. Sorry, but, that was my experience. No doubt I just picked the wrong books amongst her numerous recommendations, and I am sure the vast majority of them are delightful and moving. So, please, don't flame me :o) )