

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 (23)
Carly H.
Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and heartbreaking …and so well-written. This book read like poetry. It’s one of my favorite BOTM reads!
Christina K.
Berea, OH
April E.
Memphis , TN
Sujay P.
New York, NY
Monica C.
Boston, MA
Sometimes hard to follow, but beautifully written. I was ashamed of my lack of knowledge of the intense turmoil in India. Heartbreak and hope abound.