The God of Small Things

A beautifully written, tragic story. We pay such little attention to the things we say to children and the effect those words can have. Ms. Roy has written an exceptional novel.

I loved the sentences, the setting, the characters. The history and politics in India were especially riveting to me. So much genius and talent are apparent in this book. But what was with that pacing? It felt so long. And the introduction of Velutha felt too late and too shallow.

Mostly, my little puritanical heart couldn't tolerate Chapter 20. Why, Roy? Why? You know who feels "hideous grief" now? Me.