A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Set in 1950s India, this epic novel follows the story of four families over a period of 18 months, focusing primarily on the young woman Lata and her mother's quest to find her a suitable husband. The narrative explores the political, social, and personal upheavals in a newly independent India, struggling with its own identity amidst the backdrop of a society grappling with religious tensions, land reforms, and the shaping of a modern democratic state. Lata's journey is an exploration of love, ambition, and the weight of familial duty.
The 735th greatest book of all time
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- Published
- 1993
- Nationality
- Indian
- Length
- Very Long
- Pages
- 1349-1500
- Original Language
- English
- Avg User Rating
-
(4.6)
- Alternate Titles
- - Il Ragazzo Giusto
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following 20 lists:
- 3rd on The Greatest 20th Century Novels (Waterstone)
- 17th on The 50 best books of the past 100 years (The Times)
- 21st on Edmonton's Top 100 (Edmonton Journal)
- 23rd on Waterstones' Top 25 Books of the Last 25 Years (2007) (Bookstandard (wayback machine))
- 27th on My Favourite Book - Australian Big Read (Australian Big Read)
- 40th on Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 Novels (Entertainment Weekly)
- 41st on Readers’ Top 100 Novels Of All Time (Guardian)
- 50th on Waterstone's Books of the Century (LibraryThing)
- 55th on The Big Read (BBC)
- 773rd on Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- 100 Novels That Shaped Our World (BBC)
- 500 Must Read Books (The Daily Telegraph)
- 50 Essential Reads by Contemporary Authors (Orange Prize for Fiction)
- 70 Iconic Indian Books (India's 70th Independence Anniversary) (Hindustan Times)
- Best Books Ever (Book Depository)
- Daily Telegraph's 100 Books of the Century, 1900-1999 (Daily Telegraph)
- The 100 Best Novels Of All Time (Runners-Up) (The Guardian)
- The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels in English Since 1950 (The Modern Library (Book))