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 238th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 3rd on The Greatest 20th Century Novels (Waterstone)
- 27th on My Favourite Book - Australian Big Read (Australian Big Read)
- 40th on Entertainment Weekly's Top 100 Novels (Entertainment Weekly)
- 50th on Waterstone's Books of the Century (LibraryThing)
- 55th on The Big Read (BBC)
- The Modern Library: The Two Hundred Best Novels in English Since 1950 (The Modern Library (Book))
- Best Books Ever (bookdepository.com)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- 100 Novels That Shaped Our World (BBC)
- Daily Telegraph's 100 Books of the Century, 1900-1999 (Daily Telegraph)