Quick take
Twenty years ago, Arundhati Roy wrote The God of Small Things ... two decades later, her second novel is well worth the wait.
Why I love it
Book of the Month
Twenty years ago, Arundhati Roy wrote The God of Small Things, a novel that captivated readers around the globe. Now, two decades later, her second novel is here, and it’s worth the wait. In The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Roy’s India is a place of both hope and despair, profound beauty and ugliness, comedy and tragedy. She masterfully weaves together the unforgettable stories of a few of the subcontinent’s denizens, creating an epic tale that is challenging in all the best ways, but also eminently readable.
Member ratings (633)
Mary v.
Brooklyn, NY
Roy's words are haunting, enlightening, and deeply moving. I found myself ending each chapter with a new outlook, from extreme highs to lows. This was some of the most powerful storytelling I've read.
Amanda O.
Olympia, WA
Beautiful story with multiple characters perspectives. Their lives come together in different ways as they create their own happiness in a cruel world. Moving insight into their cultures and histories
Alana P.
Canton, MI
This book is so incredibly heart wrenching, well thought out. Agree with previous reviewer that if you read only one book this year it should be this one. This will remain high on my favorites list
HEATHER B.
New York, NY
Full of beauty, humanity, and horror. Some complain about plot, but she writes life, which doesnt always have a clearly delineated reason. Her political voice is stronger in this one, still perfect.
Kritika B.
Ann Arbor, MI
If you read just one book this year, let this be that one book! The characters are complex, the story is memorable, and the experience will leave you feeling both moved and grounded. Masterpiece!