The God of Small Things - Arundhati Roy

I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while and have heard people singing its praises for ages. Having finally read it, I was blown away by how beautiful and special this book really is. It is stunningly structured, and the character development unforgettable.⠀

The novel follows the twins Rahel and Esther, and their mother Ammu, in the year 1969 in Kerala, India. At the beginning of the story, the family find themselves stranded in their car in the midst of a Marxist demonstration. The tale jumps about through different years, from the children’s adolescence and then when they reunite as adults after being separated for many years. The twins’ childhood is framed by their guilt at the death of their English cousin who comes to visit them, and along with further tragedy which ensues, remains with them into their adulthood.⠀

The language used by Roy is unparalleled. Her depiction of nature and the development of relationships in the novel is both devastatingly moving whilst at times humorous. The plot is unfurled gradually whilst the timeline is non-linear, building tension and suspense to the climax of the story and ultimately creating a sense of foreboding which keeps you utterly hooked. The author has a way of effortlessly blending complete destruction and loss with wit and beauty and an infinite sense of hope; breaking boundaries all the while and culminating in one of the most spectacular novels I have read in a long time.⠀