A clever plot that keeps your attention throughout
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Ram Mohammad Thomas is a boy from the Indian slums who has entered a "Who wants to be a millionaire" style television quiz show. Despite his lack of formal education, his life experiences have perfectly equipped him to answer each question that comes up. Because the show's organisers are sure that he must have cheated, they ask him to explain how he was able to answer such difficult and obscure questions. Each chapter deals with another question and answer, and as the book progresses his very colourful life story is also gradually revealed.
This is not the most well written book I've read, but the way that the plot unfolds is very clever and keeps the reader's attention throughout. It tears along at a quick pace: some parts are very amusing while others are very sad, but Swarup doesn't dwell on either. The way it all comes together at the end is highly contrived, but does make for a satisfactory conclusion.
If you enjoy books about India, there are other books that are more realistic or better written (I especially recommend the wonderful and highly moving novel "A Fine Balance"), but this is an easy and entertaining story.
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A Good Read
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If you are looking for hifalutin prose, then I am afraid this is not the book for you. If however, you are looking for a book written in simple language, which would keep your nose buried between its spine and your fingers turning its pages, this is just the right book for you. It is engaging, providing glimpses of an India that many of us know exists but which is hidden from the rest of the world. It is however a tad unbelievable with all the coincidence. Its style of story telling adopts an unusual yet nice concept. I will award this book a score of Six out of Ten.
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Good fun but not very satisfying
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I read this based on a recommendation from a friend after I had informed her of Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Maybe it was because of the greatness of Shantaram that I was disappointed but I found the book to be simplistic in style and lacking in depth. Undoubtedly it is a simple and enjoyable read but I just didn't find it fulfilling - a throw away novel.
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...wish you'd thought up the concept yourself
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Q+A is one of those novels that you start reading and wish you'd thought up the concept yourself! The whole book revolves around the correct answers gien by a gameshow contestant on an Indian version of Who Wants to be a Milionaire. Vikas Swarup not only makes the unlikely scenario seem totally plausible, but manages to weave an excellent plot around these 'correct' questions that ties up very neatly at the end.
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Excellent
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A superb snapshot of modern India, and a wonderful narrative. Once you've read this, read Shantaram.
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