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Six Suspects: A Novel
The basis for The Great Indian Murder, now a streaming series! Vikas Swarup unravels the lives and motives of the six suspects, offering both a riveting page-turner and an insightful look into the heart of contemporary India. Seven years ago, Vivek "Vicky" Rai, the playboy son of the home minister of Uttar Pradesh, murdered bartender Ruby Gill at a trendy restaurant in New Delhi, simply because she refused to serve him a drink. Now Vicky Rai has been killed at the party he was throwing to celebrate his acquittal. The police arrest six guests with guns in their a corrupt bureaucrat who claims to have become Mahatma Gandhi; an American tourist infatuated with an Indian actress; a Stone Age tribesman on a quest; a Bollywood sex symbol with a guilty secret; a mobile-phone thief who dreams big; and an ambitious politician prepared to stoop low.
481 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2008
249 people are currently reading
3679 people want to read
About the author
Vikas Swarup
19 books464 followersVikas Swarup was born in Allahabad (India) in a family of lawyers.
After his schooling, Vikas attended Allahabad University and studied History, Psychology and Philosophy. He also made his mark as a champion debater, winning National level competitions. After graduating with distinction, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1986, motivated by an interest in international relations and a desire to explore different cultures.
In his diplomatic career, Vikas has been posted to various countries such as Turkey (1987-1990), the United States (1993-1997) Ethiopia (1997-2000) and the United Kingdom (2000-2003). Since August 2006 he has been posted in Pretoria as India’s Deputy High Commissioner.
Vikas has participated in the Oxford Literary Festival, the Turin International Book Fair, the Auckland Writers’ Conference, the Sydney Writers’ Festival, the Kitab Festival in New Delhi, the St. Malo International Book & Film Festival in France, the 'Words on Water' Literary Festival at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Apart from reading, Vikas enjoys listening to music and playing cricket, tennis and table tennis.
His wife Aparna is an artist who has held exhibitions in India and abroad. They have two sons Aditya and Varun.
After his schooling, Vikas attended Allahabad University and studied History, Psychology and Philosophy. He also made his mark as a champion debater, winning National level competitions. After graduating with distinction, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1986, motivated by an interest in international relations and a desire to explore different cultures.
In his diplomatic career, Vikas has been posted to various countries such as Turkey (1987-1990), the United States (1993-1997) Ethiopia (1997-2000) and the United Kingdom (2000-2003). Since August 2006 he has been posted in Pretoria as India’s Deputy High Commissioner.
Vikas has participated in the Oxford Literary Festival, the Turin International Book Fair, the Auckland Writers’ Conference, the Sydney Writers’ Festival, the Kitab Festival in New Delhi, the St. Malo International Book & Film Festival in France, the 'Words on Water' Literary Festival at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and the Jaipur Literature Festival.
Apart from reading, Vikas enjoys listening to music and playing cricket, tennis and table tennis.
His wife Aparna is an artist who has held exhibitions in India and abroad. They have two sons Aditya and Varun.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 718 reviews
February 10, 2017
While I enjoyed Six Suspects (especially the characters of Eketi and Munna), the American character, Larry Page, did not ring true at all, primarily because of his speech. Attempts to make him an ordinary, "aw-shucks" Texas hick were admirable, but his "butter my butt and call me a biscuit" style got very old after awhile, and he really was just unbelievably stupid. I've met my share of stupid, uneducated people, but this was just too much, and for the only time in the book, I just really wanted his "Mail-Order Bride" section to end as quickly as possible. His appearance seemed so random, and I'm still not really sure what he was doing there.
Unfortunately, this uneducated, insanely stupid American uses very distinctively British English terms mixed in with crazy "down South" similes and metaphors, which made him even more unbelievable. I suspect Mr. Swarup's editor is a native British-English speaker who might not have noticed the following:
1. Page refers to the flight attendant on his first-ever plane trip as an "air hostess";
2. He talks about the "queue" at passport control;
3. He refers to the restroom as the "WC";
4. He calls a sidewalk a "pavement";
5. He has never heard of Time magazine (not hasn't read it - hasn't HEARD of it);
6. Says that someone is "in hospital";
7. Gives the dates in the wrong order in his speech (says "31 October instead of "October 31st");
8. Refers to a two-week period as a "fortnight".
I realize some of these things creep into American speech from time to time, but an uneducated, completely stupid person who seems to have never been out of Texas and apparently doesn't even know what the Constitution is? Highly doubtful.
The rest of the book was great, though. Highly satisfying and I really wish Goodreads would let us give half-star ratings - I'd give it a 3.5 if I could....
Update 3/30/2011: I still think Page's use of British-isms was distracting, but I'm going to be a little more forgiving of the American idioms. I was thinking nobody really talks like that until I remembered educated Texan Dan Rather on election night 2000: http://politicalhumor.about.com/libra... my favorite is the one about the frogs.
Unfortunately, this uneducated, insanely stupid American uses very distinctively British English terms mixed in with crazy "down South" similes and metaphors, which made him even more unbelievable. I suspect Mr. Swarup's editor is a native British-English speaker who might not have noticed the following:
1. Page refers to the flight attendant on his first-ever plane trip as an "air hostess";
2. He talks about the "queue" at passport control;
3. He refers to the restroom as the "WC";
4. He calls a sidewalk a "pavement";
5. He has never heard of Time magazine (not hasn't read it - hasn't HEARD of it);
6. Says that someone is "in hospital";
7. Gives the dates in the wrong order in his speech (says "31 October instead of "October 31st");
8. Refers to a two-week period as a "fortnight".
I realize some of these things creep into American speech from time to time, but an uneducated, completely stupid person who seems to have never been out of Texas and apparently doesn't even know what the Constitution is? Highly doubtful.
The rest of the book was great, though. Highly satisfying and I really wish Goodreads would let us give half-star ratings - I'd give it a 3.5 if I could....
Update 3/30/2011: I still think Page's use of British-isms was distracting, but I'm going to be a little more forgiving of the American idioms. I was thinking nobody really talks like that until I remembered educated Texan Dan Rather on election night 2000: http://politicalhumor.about.com/libra... my favorite is the one about the frogs.
August 23, 2010
There are a certain class of books in which nothing really happens for three hundred pages, but the reader enjoys the read because the characters are so friendly, the setting so cozy, and the writing so easy.
This novel is the exact opposite.
Everything happens, but the journey jars, the characters fail to charm, and occasional lapses in writing make the plot alone carry the reader along. I found myself skimming, irritated with the prose, but wanting to find out what happens next.
And when I say everything happens, I mean EVERYTHING. Poor girls get mistaken for rich Bollywood stars, slum-dwellers become instantly rich and then lose it all. People fall in love with the relatives of people who killed their own relatives. Swarup inserts any connection between two people, no matter how contrived or far-fetched, which will set up the plot. It's as melodramatic as any opera. Never have villains been so villainous, nor girl-victims been quite so piteous.
While I enjoy foreign settings, and am fond of India especially, Swarup's one American character was so ridiculously stereotyped (and stupid, and annoying, peppering his every sentence with aphorisms and simlies until I ground my teeth in irritation) that it made me doubt his other characters were any more realistically drawn. I don't know enough about India to know if the other five main characters are also caricatures, but I suspect that they are.
The author this novel reminded me most of was Carl Hiassen. Hiassen also has over-the-top plots, each twist more ridiculous than the past, but Hiassen seems plausible compared to Swarup's tale. Any one single aspect of this book's plot could provide the core of a movie (poor boy finds briefcase full of cash, native comes to the big city to find a lost treasure, man must avenge his brother's death in order to marry his widowed sister-in-law) but in SIX SUSPECTS the plots are heaped one on top of the other.
I could have dealt with the over-the-top melodrama more if the novel didn't take itself so seriously. I would have preferred, having spent 470 pages with cardboard characters, if they had over-the-top sappy happy endings to go with their oversized plots. I could also have done without the chapter which consisted almost entirely of a phone conversation. Since all the characters speak in the first person, and there are so many people to keep straight, it took me a while at the beginning of each chapter to figure out which one was speaking.
I strongly suspect that I am not the ideal reader for this, that it has, in fact, been written for Indians rather than Americans (the cringe-worthy "Larry Page" character is my main proof) but it hit an uncomfortable middle. I found it too political and gruesome to be a comedy, but too ridiculously contrived to be taken seriously.
This novel is the exact opposite.
Everything happens, but the journey jars, the characters fail to charm, and occasional lapses in writing make the plot alone carry the reader along. I found myself skimming, irritated with the prose, but wanting to find out what happens next.
And when I say everything happens, I mean EVERYTHING. Poor girls get mistaken for rich Bollywood stars, slum-dwellers become instantly rich and then lose it all. People fall in love with the relatives of people who killed their own relatives. Swarup inserts any connection between two people, no matter how contrived or far-fetched, which will set up the plot. It's as melodramatic as any opera. Never have villains been so villainous, nor girl-victims been quite so piteous.
While I enjoy foreign settings, and am fond of India especially, Swarup's one American character was so ridiculously stereotyped (and stupid, and annoying, peppering his every sentence with aphorisms and simlies until I ground my teeth in irritation) that it made me doubt his other characters were any more realistically drawn. I don't know enough about India to know if the other five main characters are also caricatures, but I suspect that they are.
The author this novel reminded me most of was Carl Hiassen. Hiassen also has over-the-top plots, each twist more ridiculous than the past, but Hiassen seems plausible compared to Swarup's tale. Any one single aspect of this book's plot could provide the core of a movie (poor boy finds briefcase full of cash, native comes to the big city to find a lost treasure, man must avenge his brother's death in order to marry his widowed sister-in-law) but in SIX SUSPECTS the plots are heaped one on top of the other.
I could have dealt with the over-the-top melodrama more if the novel didn't take itself so seriously. I would have preferred, having spent 470 pages with cardboard characters, if they had over-the-top sappy happy endings to go with their oversized plots. I could also have done without the chapter which consisted almost entirely of a phone conversation. Since all the characters speak in the first person, and there are so many people to keep straight, it took me a while at the beginning of each chapter to figure out which one was speaking.
I strongly suspect that I am not the ideal reader for this, that it has, in fact, been written for Indians rather than Americans (the cringe-worthy "Larry Page" character is my main proof) but it hit an uncomfortable middle. I found it too political and gruesome to be a comedy, but too ridiculously contrived to be taken seriously.
Read
September 5, 2018I would like to applaud the publisher of this 400pp murder mystery for GIVING AWAY THE MURDERER ON THE BACK COVER OH MY GOD. (This is my pb edition, the Goodreads blurb has been altered as well you might hope. JFC.)
Ahem. Other than that.
Nice idea, patchy execution. The "India shown in a series of different lives of characters who turn out to intersect" thing isn't super original but there's plenty of space for good treatment of it. This wasn't really. In part because the stories all seemed to be from different books. There's a magical realist satire of a guy possessed by Gandhi, a gritty gangster type tale, a tragedy of dispossessed and discarded underclass, a Bollywood actress in a Bollywood plot, and a spectacularly poor effort at a caricature of the American Abroad. It didn't add up.
It didn't really work for me as satire or as realism because I found the tone too uneven--I'm here for tragicomedy but I think once it's caricature you do lose the emotional weight. And it didn't really work as a murder mystery because DID I MENTION THE BACK COVER FFFFF.
Ahem. Other than that.
Nice idea, patchy execution. The "India shown in a series of different lives of characters who turn out to intersect" thing isn't super original but there's plenty of space for good treatment of it. This wasn't really. In part because the stories all seemed to be from different books. There's a magical realist satire of a guy possessed by Gandhi, a gritty gangster type tale, a tragedy of dispossessed and discarded underclass, a Bollywood actress in a Bollywood plot, and a spectacularly poor effort at a caricature of the American Abroad. It didn't add up.
It didn't really work for me as satire or as realism because I found the tone too uneven--I'm here for tragicomedy but I think once it's caricature you do lose the emotional weight. And it didn't really work as a murder mystery because DID I MENTION THE BACK COVER FFFFF.
January 26, 2020
Oh my oh my~~
Enam tersangka.
Enam motif.
Enam bukti
Enam cerita.
Enam kisah.
Ibarat enam sungai kecil dengan alur air masing-masing yang pada akhirnya bermuara ke satu tempat yang sama.
Pembunuhan pun mengenal kasta. Tagline cantik dan sangaaat cocok dengan buku ini.
Kasta, tahta, harta, wanita.
Buku ini kaya akan budaya dan pandangan tentang kasta di India maupun dunia secara keseluruhan. Bahwa, hei, hidup selucu itu memang. Semua cerita bisa dikarang. Semua fakta bisa ditutupi.
Buku ini lebih dari sekadar kasus pembunuhan dan pencarian pelaku. Nope.
Buku ini lebih dari itu.
Enam tersangka.
Enam motif.
Enam bukti
Enam cerita.
Enam kisah.
Ibarat enam sungai kecil dengan alur air masing-masing yang pada akhirnya bermuara ke satu tempat yang sama.
Pembunuhan pun mengenal kasta. Tagline cantik dan sangaaat cocok dengan buku ini.
Kasta, tahta, harta, wanita.
Buku ini kaya akan budaya dan pandangan tentang kasta di India maupun dunia secara keseluruhan. Bahwa, hei, hidup selucu itu memang. Semua cerita bisa dikarang. Semua fakta bisa ditutupi.
Buku ini lebih dari sekadar kasus pembunuhan dan pencarian pelaku. Nope.
Buku ini lebih dari itu.
December 6, 2012
"(...) era sobre uma aldeia cheia de gente pobre que era explorada por um senhor feudal. Mostrava um rapazinho a atirar uma pedra à mansão do zamindor (senhor feudal), partindo uma janela. (...) As grandes revoluções começam com uma pequena faísca."
A introdução do livro "Seis Suspeitos" é provocadoramente deliciosa. O livro apresenta-nos sete personagens principais, ainda que uma delas permaneça nos bastidores e seja apenas retratada através do relacionamento, contacto e experiências com as restantes. Estas sete personalidades não podiam ter uma educação e valores mais diferente e, no entanto, sou incapaz de escolher a que mais me atrai.
Todas elas são amorais, tantos os seis suspeitos como a própria vitima, todas possuem traços obscuros e duvidosos. E aqui reside todo o seu encanto. Durante as quatrocentas e oitenta e seis páginas senti-me mais do que deslumbrada, fui hipnotizada pela escrita mágica de Vikas Swarup. Se pensarmos bem, o que é que a inocência, a pureza e a honestidade têm de tão aliciante? Tais conceitos não são adequados para títulos de jornal. A provocação reside nos seus opostos.
Todos os comportamentos, pensamentos e atitudes dos implicados neste enredo poderoso me seduziram: o temperamento complexo e imprevisível do burocrata, o poder e influência quase sem limites do politico, a ingenuidade e estupidez do americano, a curiosidade e admiração pelo brilho da civilização do indígena, a autoconfiança e sensatez da actriz de Bollywood e a vivacidade contagiante do ladrão.
Ao abrir o livro o leitor empreende numa viagem memorável a um país distante, Somos confrontados com a cultura, os costumes, o povo e as realidades tão distantes que coexistem na Índia. Vikas Swarup não se coíbe de expor a corrupção, a pobreza, a crueldade e a violência presentes no dia-a-dia de muitos indianos. Por outro lado, aponta a honestidade, a justiça, a riqueza e o sentimento caloroso provocado por esta sociedade tão diferente da nossa. Senti-me verdadeiramente como uma parte deste vasto mundo, que apesar de todos as suas imperfeições, é magnífico.
Foi nas páginas deste livro que procurei e encontrei o conforto desta sensação de familiaridade nos últimos dias. Foi a sua história comovente e marcante que me submeteu a horas de leitura que, infelizmente, me pareceram demasiado breves.
A estrutura da narrativa é perspicaz e extremamente tentadora. Este livro começa por nos reportar um crime. E é apenas isto que a obra tem em comum como os outros romances do seu género. São-nos apresentados seis suspeitos e seis motivos. Seis pessoas, seis estilos de vida e inúmeras ligações. É traçado o perfil de um vítima e as consequências dos seus actos. Segue-se a exposição das provas e dos factos, as deduções e a solução e, por fim, a confissão.
As ligações entre as personagens, que têm vidas tão contrastantes, são assustadoramente brilhantes. O que pode ligar uma das mais famosas estrelas de Bollywood a um operador de empilhadoras do Walmart? Bem, a resposta e esta questão reside neste livro.
Os diálogos são soberbos e ajudam-nos a ter um conhecimento e uma visão aprofundada das personagens. Seja na primeira ou terceira pessoa, através de cartas, telefonemas, gravações, excertos de artigos jornalísticos ou noticiários televisivos, a narrativa não podia ser exposta de uma forma melhor. As palavras fluem na nossa mente com uma naturalidade desconcertante, envolvendo-nos no seu mundo que, apesar de ser cenário da ficção, não deixa de ser real.
Os vários termos indianos presentes ao longo da história e as inúmeras referências à cultura do país foram dois fortes impulsionadores do meu entusiasmos, que já se encontrava no seu auge após a leitura da primeira página. Correcção: do primeiro parágrafo. Mais do que um retrato da sociedade indiana, este livro é uma fonte preciosa de conhecimento sobre a natureza humana.
"Durante quanto tempo somos capazes de assisti ao que se passa à nossa volta sem nos deixarmos afectar?"
Um final inesquecível. Um livro memorável. Um autor incomparável.
A introdução do livro "Seis Suspeitos" é provocadoramente deliciosa. O livro apresenta-nos sete personagens principais, ainda que uma delas permaneça nos bastidores e seja apenas retratada através do relacionamento, contacto e experiências com as restantes. Estas sete personalidades não podiam ter uma educação e valores mais diferente e, no entanto, sou incapaz de escolher a que mais me atrai.
Todas elas são amorais, tantos os seis suspeitos como a própria vitima, todas possuem traços obscuros e duvidosos. E aqui reside todo o seu encanto. Durante as quatrocentas e oitenta e seis páginas senti-me mais do que deslumbrada, fui hipnotizada pela escrita mágica de Vikas Swarup. Se pensarmos bem, o que é que a inocência, a pureza e a honestidade têm de tão aliciante? Tais conceitos não são adequados para títulos de jornal. A provocação reside nos seus opostos.
Todos os comportamentos, pensamentos e atitudes dos implicados neste enredo poderoso me seduziram: o temperamento complexo e imprevisível do burocrata, o poder e influência quase sem limites do politico, a ingenuidade e estupidez do americano, a curiosidade e admiração pelo brilho da civilização do indígena, a autoconfiança e sensatez da actriz de Bollywood e a vivacidade contagiante do ladrão.
Ao abrir o livro o leitor empreende numa viagem memorável a um país distante, Somos confrontados com a cultura, os costumes, o povo e as realidades tão distantes que coexistem na Índia. Vikas Swarup não se coíbe de expor a corrupção, a pobreza, a crueldade e a violência presentes no dia-a-dia de muitos indianos. Por outro lado, aponta a honestidade, a justiça, a riqueza e o sentimento caloroso provocado por esta sociedade tão diferente da nossa. Senti-me verdadeiramente como uma parte deste vasto mundo, que apesar de todos as suas imperfeições, é magnífico.
Foi nas páginas deste livro que procurei e encontrei o conforto desta sensação de familiaridade nos últimos dias. Foi a sua história comovente e marcante que me submeteu a horas de leitura que, infelizmente, me pareceram demasiado breves.
A estrutura da narrativa é perspicaz e extremamente tentadora. Este livro começa por nos reportar um crime. E é apenas isto que a obra tem em comum como os outros romances do seu género. São-nos apresentados seis suspeitos e seis motivos. Seis pessoas, seis estilos de vida e inúmeras ligações. É traçado o perfil de um vítima e as consequências dos seus actos. Segue-se a exposição das provas e dos factos, as deduções e a solução e, por fim, a confissão.
As ligações entre as personagens, que têm vidas tão contrastantes, são assustadoramente brilhantes. O que pode ligar uma das mais famosas estrelas de Bollywood a um operador de empilhadoras do Walmart? Bem, a resposta e esta questão reside neste livro.
Os diálogos são soberbos e ajudam-nos a ter um conhecimento e uma visão aprofundada das personagens. Seja na primeira ou terceira pessoa, através de cartas, telefonemas, gravações, excertos de artigos jornalísticos ou noticiários televisivos, a narrativa não podia ser exposta de uma forma melhor. As palavras fluem na nossa mente com uma naturalidade desconcertante, envolvendo-nos no seu mundo que, apesar de ser cenário da ficção, não deixa de ser real.
Os vários termos indianos presentes ao longo da história e as inúmeras referências à cultura do país foram dois fortes impulsionadores do meu entusiasmos, que já se encontrava no seu auge após a leitura da primeira página. Correcção: do primeiro parágrafo. Mais do que um retrato da sociedade indiana, este livro é uma fonte preciosa de conhecimento sobre a natureza humana.
"Durante quanto tempo somos capazes de assisti ao que se passa à nossa volta sem nos deixarmos afectar?"
Um final inesquecível. Um livro memorável. Um autor incomparável.
September 23, 2021
Monumentale. Impossibile descrivere in un altro modo queste sei storie piene di intrighi e colpi di scena, che mi hanno tenuta incollata alle pagine perché dovevo sapere, sapere chi era l'assassino. Assolutamente consigliato; nei primi capitoli non è sempre facile tenere conto di tutti i nomi degli innumerevoli personaggi e dei luoghi che visitano, ma ne vale assolutamente la pena.
September 30, 2019
You know you're in trouble when the murder mystery couldn't save it.
The summary drew me in but sadly this did not ultimately deliver. There's a murder and six suspects who had motive and opportunity so the fun is in the teasing out the threads and following the leads to figure out whodunnit. I feel that the story lost its way at the suspects pov level and everything that sprang from that was tainted. To be fair, I did enjoy a few of the suspects' narration but cannot forgive the thoroughly unbelievable mess that was the sole American. Even if everything else had been perfect, he was so glaringly off, his existence would have thrown me out of the story and cost this a couple of stars. As it happens, he wasn't the only problem and by the time I'd arrived at the end (which was both preachy and a let down), I didn't feel like I'd read the book I was told this was. At least it was over.
I love books that can take me to a place and through a wide cast of characters either closely or tenuously connected to one another, provide an immersive, cohesive and satisfying story. I'm going to recommend Tash Aw's Five Star Billionaire here, in case that's your thing. Read that. Skip this.
The summary drew me in but sadly this did not ultimately deliver. There's a murder and six suspects who had motive and opportunity so the fun is in the teasing out the threads and following the leads to figure out whodunnit. I feel that the story lost its way at the suspects pov level and everything that sprang from that was tainted. To be fair, I did enjoy a few of the suspects' narration but cannot forgive the thoroughly unbelievable mess that was the sole American. Even if everything else had been perfect, he was so glaringly off, his existence would have thrown me out of the story and cost this a couple of stars. As it happens, he wasn't the only problem and by the time I'd arrived at the end (which was both preachy and a let down), I didn't feel like I'd read the book I was told this was. At least it was over.
I love books that can take me to a place and through a wide cast of characters either closely or tenuously connected to one another, provide an immersive, cohesive and satisfying story. I'm going to recommend Tash Aw's Five Star Billionaire here, in case that's your thing. Read that. Skip this.
April 3, 2021
Six suspects Vikas Swarup set in a funky contemporary India it's a murder mystery kind of built around seemingly random events. It has characters that are weird and over the top, self absorbed, pretentious, ignorant, mixedup, scheming liars, your just normal balanced citizens. So they have a chapter each and they are the movie star, cowboy, politician, thief, guru, bum ...it is a wonderful recipe off delicious ficticious characters just stirred and left to set and not to be taken serious. Oh well they all like moths to light end up at the same extravagant party of the victim a very wealthy dangerous murderer. Our six suspects all have motive they all have guns and all seriously are the would be culprits this was absorbing a lot of fun working it all out. The giggle factor is very high in this. An alluded to statement of society well maybe. Portrays Indian society some of its nitty gritty ins and out of Indian street life weirdly enjoyable....wait theres more...no there isn't.?.
August 15, 2009
How I Came To Read This Book: It was a gift.
The Plot: Vicky Rai is the playboy son of a corrupt Indian bureaucrat - he's also newly acquitted from a murder he was clearly guilty for, a verdict that has the entire country of India up in arms. When Vicky throws a party to celebrate his freedom, he's subsequently murdered - and a motley crue of 6 suspects are taken into custody for possessing guns. A deeply dedicated investigative journalist concedes he will do what it takes to uncover the murderer of Vicky - not because Vicky himself is particularly important or deserving (within the story and to the reader) but because Vicky Rai represents all that is wrong within the Indian justice system. From there, Swarup divides each section of his book (background, motives, evidence, aftermath) into six stories written in six unique styles surrounding the six suspects. The stories are as diverse as following a tribal man on a spirit quest to a Bollywood sex symbol to a backwoods American seeking his mail order bride, while the styles range from diary entries to omniscient third-person to written almost entirely in dialogue.
The Good & The Bad: I liked this book quite a bit - a fair bit more than the last murder mystery I read, DB Shan's "Hell's Horizon" (which I also gave 4 stars). Its main strength lies in the focus on the murder suspects over the crime and victim, which are really incidental in the exploration of how someone can be driven to murder (or is really just in the wrong place at the wrong time). Indeed, as the book lays out in its first few pages and resolves in its conclusion, the story is never really about Vicky Rai so much as India as a whole and the corruption that runs rampant in all systems that exist there. It was also fun to get into these six different stories - some were more successful than others - and I learned to appreciate them all at one point or another. Knowing that they'd end up Vicky's party as murder suspects, you spent a lot of each story being like "How is this ever going to happen?" but Swarup successfully positions all 6 gun-wielding guests in a sense that they could indeed have pulled the trigger (conveniently) - but even then the suspect is not so easily fingered.
I think some people might be turned off by some of the style variations in the book, but I felt it was fascinating to see the challenge laid before Swarup - this is an ambitious book and I felt like it mostly succeeded. The book often reminded me of the film Babel in its circular nature, and provided plenty of "Ah-ha!" moments of connections and links that were either previewed or revealed or surprising. I suppose others might be overwhelmed by the integration of Indian culture in this book - if you've never read a book set in India I can definitely see this story as more challenging to grasp...but I still liked it. A lot.
The Bottom Line: A fun book on many levels - writing style, character development, guessing games - that ends with a surprisingly poignant message.
Anything Memorable: Nope.
50-Book Challenge: Book #34 in 2009.
The Plot: Vicky Rai is the playboy son of a corrupt Indian bureaucrat - he's also newly acquitted from a murder he was clearly guilty for, a verdict that has the entire country of India up in arms. When Vicky throws a party to celebrate his freedom, he's subsequently murdered - and a motley crue of 6 suspects are taken into custody for possessing guns. A deeply dedicated investigative journalist concedes he will do what it takes to uncover the murderer of Vicky - not because Vicky himself is particularly important or deserving (within the story and to the reader) but because Vicky Rai represents all that is wrong within the Indian justice system. From there, Swarup divides each section of his book (background, motives, evidence, aftermath) into six stories written in six unique styles surrounding the six suspects. The stories are as diverse as following a tribal man on a spirit quest to a Bollywood sex symbol to a backwoods American seeking his mail order bride, while the styles range from diary entries to omniscient third-person to written almost entirely in dialogue.
The Good & The Bad: I liked this book quite a bit - a fair bit more than the last murder mystery I read, DB Shan's "Hell's Horizon" (which I also gave 4 stars). Its main strength lies in the focus on the murder suspects over the crime and victim, which are really incidental in the exploration of how someone can be driven to murder (or is really just in the wrong place at the wrong time). Indeed, as the book lays out in its first few pages and resolves in its conclusion, the story is never really about Vicky Rai so much as India as a whole and the corruption that runs rampant in all systems that exist there. It was also fun to get into these six different stories - some were more successful than others - and I learned to appreciate them all at one point or another. Knowing that they'd end up Vicky's party as murder suspects, you spent a lot of each story being like "How is this ever going to happen?" but Swarup successfully positions all 6 gun-wielding guests in a sense that they could indeed have pulled the trigger (conveniently) - but even then the suspect is not so easily fingered.
I think some people might be turned off by some of the style variations in the book, but I felt it was fascinating to see the challenge laid before Swarup - this is an ambitious book and I felt like it mostly succeeded. The book often reminded me of the film Babel in its circular nature, and provided plenty of "Ah-ha!" moments of connections and links that were either previewed or revealed or surprising. I suppose others might be overwhelmed by the integration of Indian culture in this book - if you've never read a book set in India I can definitely see this story as more challenging to grasp...but I still liked it. A lot.
The Bottom Line: A fun book on many levels - writing style, character development, guessing games - that ends with a surprisingly poignant message.
Anything Memorable: Nope.
50-Book Challenge: Book #34 in 2009.
April 24, 2012
Oh Dear Gods, why did I finish this book?
My biggest problem with Vikas Swarup's first book was that the characters were underdeveloped and it felt like I was reading the novel adaptation of Slumdog Millionaire rather than the book that spawned the movie.
My problem with this book was almost the exact opposite. The characters were over developed, but not in a good way. The description of them felt repetitive. The entire first section of the novel was completely unnecessary to any of the story lines. Damn, Vikas, find yourself a better bloody editor.
I cared about exactly zero of these character. I cared exactly zero percent who killed the politician's son. It was bad, and it never fucking ended.
My biggest problem with Vikas Swarup's first book was that the characters were underdeveloped and it felt like I was reading the novel adaptation of Slumdog Millionaire rather than the book that spawned the movie.
My problem with this book was almost the exact opposite. The characters were over developed, but not in a good way. The description of them felt repetitive. The entire first section of the novel was completely unnecessary to any of the story lines. Damn, Vikas, find yourself a better bloody editor.
I cared about exactly zero of these character. I cared exactly zero percent who killed the politician's son. It was bad, and it never fucking ended.
November 14, 2014
Page 80: I've started the book with the hope of discovering a good Indian crime fiction writer. Liked the first few pages; it had promise. Now, having just read the back stories of the six suspects, I am not so sure. It seems to be another novel where all characters are disgusting people.
Page 150: Now, this is getting ridiculous. Should I bail out?
----------------
For a book from a celebrated author, I found it rather mediocre. I continue to look for good Indian crime fiction, and found the title ‘Six Suspects’ promising. The first few pages were good, but it went downhill thereafter.
Firstly, a whole bunch of real events have been taken, had names changes and dumped into the storyline as if the unoriginal characters did them. Not only was it lazy, it is also insensitive. I wonder how the families of the real victims feel. The trick may work with NRIs and foreigners, but it didn’t work for me.
Secondly, all characters are filthy and sordid. As I read the book, I continuously felt like washing my hands. Thirdly, large parts of the book were ranged between silly and ridiculous. Even if a reader doesn’t take offence at how MK Gandhi’s spirit is treated, he may find many of the events rather puerile.
After the first 150 pages or so, I skipped liberally, and found that I was not missing much. The book could have been far shorter and better edited. It is not often in crime fiction that the story puts you off so much that you no longer care who the killer was. This book managed it. Overall, I found it a yucky book.
I am shelving plans of reading more books from this author.
Page 150: Now, this is getting ridiculous. Should I bail out?
----------------
For a book from a celebrated author, I found it rather mediocre. I continue to look for good Indian crime fiction, and found the title ‘Six Suspects’ promising. The first few pages were good, but it went downhill thereafter.
Firstly, a whole bunch of real events have been taken, had names changes and dumped into the storyline as if the unoriginal characters did them. Not only was it lazy, it is also insensitive. I wonder how the families of the real victims feel. The trick may work with NRIs and foreigners, but it didn’t work for me.
Secondly, all characters are filthy and sordid. As I read the book, I continuously felt like washing my hands. Thirdly, large parts of the book were ranged between silly and ridiculous. Even if a reader doesn’t take offence at how MK Gandhi’s spirit is treated, he may find many of the events rather puerile.
After the first 150 pages or so, I skipped liberally, and found that I was not missing much. The book could have been far shorter and better edited. It is not often in crime fiction that the story puts you off so much that you no longer care who the killer was. This book managed it. Overall, I found it a yucky book.
I am shelving plans of reading more books from this author.
June 29, 2012
Vivek 'Vicky' Rai is a crook, a businessman and the son of the Home Minister of Uttar Pradesh - he is labelled the "poster boy for sleaze" by journalist Arun Advani and his crimes range from fraud to murder. When Rai is aquitted on a high profile murder charge, he decides to have a big party to celebrate. During the evening he is murdered and there are a whole host of people who would have been happy to see him dead. Six suspects are arrested who have all come to the party with a gun and this clever and entertaining novel interweaves their stories, their motives and the evidence against them.
The characters include a bureaucrat whose body is invaded by a spirit, a Bollywood actress, a member of an ancient tribe attempting to locate a sacred object stolen from them, a mobile phone thief, a politician, and a hapless American. Although this novel has much that will make you think and feel, it is also extremely funny. Larry Page, the American who arrives in India hoping for a mail order bride and is then kidnapped by some terrorists only slightly less useless than he is, brings humour to situations that you feel few other authors have been brave enough to tackle. All have their reasons for wanting the unlikeable Vicky Rai dead - but who pulled the trigger? I have to say, the story is in the journey and this is a very entertaining and thought provoking read.
The characters include a bureaucrat whose body is invaded by a spirit, a Bollywood actress, a member of an ancient tribe attempting to locate a sacred object stolen from them, a mobile phone thief, a politician, and a hapless American. Although this novel has much that will make you think and feel, it is also extremely funny. Larry Page, the American who arrives in India hoping for a mail order bride and is then kidnapped by some terrorists only slightly less useless than he is, brings humour to situations that you feel few other authors have been brave enough to tackle. All have their reasons for wanting the unlikeable Vicky Rai dead - but who pulled the trigger? I have to say, the story is in the journey and this is a very entertaining and thought provoking read.
November 14, 2024
Dès le début du roman, la victime est morte. Six suspects dans l'Inde d'aujourd'hui. Nous allons suivre leur histoire et comprendre ce qui les a menés à cet endroit précis. Tous avaient un mobile.
La résolution de l'enquête est un peu décevante mais elle n'est selon moi pas l'important dans l'histoire. Ce sont plutôt les histoires des protanistes qui nous dressent un portrait de l'Inde, avec ses bons et ses moins bons côtés. Les politiciens sont tellement, mais tellement... grrr!
J'ai lu ce roman en Inde et je pense que connaître certaines références et façons de faire du pays m'a bien aidée à apprécier l'histoire. Qui finit quand même un peu en queue de poisson.
La résolution de l'enquête est un peu décevante mais elle n'est selon moi pas l'important dans l'histoire. Ce sont plutôt les histoires des protanistes qui nous dressent un portrait de l'Inde, avec ses bons et ses moins bons côtés. Les politiciens sont tellement, mais tellement... grrr!
J'ai lu ce roman en Inde et je pense que connaître certaines références et façons de faire du pays m'a bien aidée à apprécier l'histoire. Qui finit quand même un peu en queue de poisson.
May 25, 2020
Kitabın özeti: Hindistan çok büyük.
Final çok içime sinmediği için dört dedim, başka türlü bitse beş yıldız verirdim. Tekrar okusam ilkinde fark etmediğim ayrıntılar bulacağıma eminim çünkü çok fazla isim ve çok fazla bağlantı var. Son olarak, öyle bir imaj verilmiş ama kitabı polisiye beklentisiyle okumayın.
Final çok içime sinmediği için dört dedim, başka türlü bitse beş yıldız verirdim. Tekrar okusam ilkinde fark etmediğim ayrıntılar bulacağıma eminim çünkü çok fazla isim ve çok fazla bağlantı var. Son olarak, öyle bir imaj verilmiş ama kitabı polisiye beklentisiyle okumayın.
May 14, 2018
No words can really explain how much I adore the writing of Vikas Swarup. He is undoubtedly one of my top favorite authors and truly a master of words. There is no question that this is a fantastic story and a superb work of prose, as well as a gripping whodunnit. My favorite aspect of this book is really in the narrative and the way that Swarup shows off his prowess in writing. So many unique characters, strange points of view, and personal interests converge in this tale to write an altogether captivating modern Indian drama.
The one reason why I don't give Six Suspects a full five stars is the character of Larry Page. I really did not like his character, and his knack for idioms and similies got to be a bit infuriating after a while. I get the idea for this persona and what Swarup was going for, but Larry really came off as more a caricature than a character.
Overall I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes either mysteries or Indian culture. (Or books, in general. It's a great read!)
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018: A book about or involving a heist
The one reason why I don't give Six Suspects a full five stars is the character of Larry Page. I really did not like his character, and his knack for idioms and similies got to be a bit infuriating after a while. I get the idea for this persona and what Swarup was going for, but Larry really came off as more a caricature than a character.
Overall I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes either mysteries or Indian culture. (Or books, in general. It's a great read!)
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2018: A book about or involving a heist
January 3, 2023
I'm giving 5 stars for entertainment value, the book is a jigsaw, and the pieces are forced to fit by the auther. It reads more like a novel written to hatch a movie, but with all its intricacies it would be better served as a series. Saying that it is not just entertainment and mystery, it does address a lot of sociological problems particularly the ever gaping chasm between the affluent and the grossly underprivileged with the usual bribes, corruption and police brutality. There are some characters who were not given the closure they deserved but were wrapped out too quickly in my opinion. If you want serious reading this is not it, it's more a satire about serious matters to be enjoyed by many types of readers.
July 4, 2025
2009 yılında sekiz Oscar alan “Slumdog Millionaire” filminin uyarlandığı “Kim Bir Milyar Kazanmak İster” adlı romanın yazarı Vikas Swarup’ın ikinci kitabı. İsminin aksine bir cinayet romanı değil. İşlenen bir cinayet var ama “katil kim?” sorusu hiç akla gelmiyor. Altı şüpheli, altı karakter, altı roman.
September 9, 2025
Exceptional and mind-blowing!!!!
March 27, 2013
"Negeri kami aneh dan tak terduga. Kau bisa bertemu orang-orang terbaik di dunia serta yang terburuk di sini. Kau bisa merasakan kebaikan hati tanpa tanding dan menyaksikan kekejaman luar biasa. Untuk bertahan hidup di sini, kau harus mengubah cara berpikirmu. Jangan percayai siapa pun. Jangan andalkan siapa pun. Di sini kau sepenuhnya sendirian."
Di India, tingkat korupsi dan kolusi demikian tinggi sehingga kesalahan seseorang yang berjabatan tinggi bisa jadi tidak salah sama sekali. Aku curiga jangan-jangan banyak pejabat Indonesia yang studi banding ke India untuk mempelajari cara-cara lihai meloloskan diri dari tuduhan dengan jalan pemalsuan fakta, puntiran undang-undang, maupun menyingkirkan orang-orang baik. Saking banyaknya kejahatan terorganisir di Indonesia, sampai sulit untuk mempercayai satu pun pejabat yang suka menebar janji palsu. Yang mungkin belum dipelajari di India mungkin bagaimana merelakan membuat bom bunuh diri untuk membunuh pimpinan negara. Sepertinya orang Indonesia masih penakut soal ini. Masih lebih suka sok-sokan cari popularitas dengan jadi narasumber di televisi, bantai sana bantai sini lewat ketajaman mulut, and do nothing.
Cerita diawali dengan tewasnya Vicky Rai, seorang pengusaha muda yang playboy, menjalankan bisnisnya dengan darah, menggunakan pengaruh ayahnya yang Menteri Dalam Negeri untuk menghalalkan jalannya, dan sederet prestasi buruk lainnya.
Vicky ditembak di rumah peristirahatannya, tempat ia mengadakan pesta yang merayakan kebebasannya dari vonis penjara atas pembunuhan terhadap Ruby Gill di depan banyak mata di sebuah pesta sebelumnya karena mahasiswi doktoral yang sedang bekerja paruh waktu itu menolak menghidangkan wiski padanya. Ada 6 orang yang ditahan karena membawa senjata api di pesta ini. Sambil menunggu laporan balistik, Vikas Swarup mengisahkan motif masing-masing dari 6 tersangka yang dilihat dari wawancara Arun Advani, seorang jurnalis kriminal.
Ada Shabnam Saxeena si aktris terbaik India yang berulang kali dirayu Vicky, Munna Mobile si spesialis pencuri ponsel yang berkeliaran di pesta Vicky, juga Eketi pria dari kepulauan Andaman yang dicurigai tergabung dengan kelompok Naxalite yang ingin menguasai India, Larry Page seorang pria Amerika yang jatuh cinta pada Sabhnam Saxeena, Mohan Kumar yang dirasuki arwah Mahatma Gandhi dan membenci ketidak adilan atas vonis bebas Vicky, bahkan Jaganaath Rai, ayah kandung Vicky sendiri yang menuduh skandal anaknya akan menghancurkan karier politik yang ia bangun bertahun-tahun.
Di luar dari mereka berenam, banyak sekali orang yang membenci Vicky Rai. Sepak terjangnya dari berbagai bisnis banyak yang menumpahkan darah dan kesewenang-wenangannya pada rakyat kecil, membuat berita kematiannya menjadi hot gossip di negeri itu.
Vikas Swarup membangun cerita ini menjadi asyik, dengan membuat tiga bagian cerita berupa latar belakang, motif, dan pengakuan. Tidak menegangkan namun mengasyikkan untuk dibaca. Apalagi membacanya di tengah skandal kasus Rasjid Radjasa yang diputus bebas (karena menyandang nama Radjasa?) seperti melihat cerminan kasus yang mirip karut marutnya di negeri kita, yang korupsi juga masih tumbuh subur seperti India.
Seperti White Tiger-nya Aruvind Adiga yang juga mengulik busuknya pemerintahan India, Swarup juga menelanjangi bobroknya melalui banyak percakapan-percakapan Jaganaath Rai dan Mohan Kumar yang membuat geram dan jijik pada orang-orang pemerintahan. Swarup juga memotret banyak wilayah kumuh India melalui perjalanan keliling India oleh Eketi, juga kehidupan Shabnam aktris India papan atas nomor tiga setelah Aishwara Rai dalam menjalani hari-harinya.
Buku ini adalah buku pertama tahun ini yang bisa membuatku terjaga sampai jam setengah tiga pagi karena penasaran dengan tersangka akhirnya. Walaupun tak penting, karena toh Vicky Rai sudah mati juga, namun hasil sedih maupun gembira pasti ada. India yang melatari cerita ini membuat karya ini menjadi unik.
November 12, 2011
The second novel by Vikas Swarup, after Q&A, the book that now has a life of its own. Six Suspects worked essentially as a superb suspense thriller for me, but it is also a commentary on everything that happens in India - from militancy and racism to reality TV and call centres. Through six of the most stereotyped characters that you could ever find (okay, five), the author manages not only to create a gripping tale that shakes up the mix every time you think you have cracked the mystery in your head, but also manages to share a perspective on many of the things that makes news and even the probable behind-the-scenes machinations. All delivered not in a preachy tone that one would expect when such topics are involved, but the most amazing wit and sense of humour I have read in recent times.
Right from the time the author shares a brief history of Vicky Rai, the 'victim', and in three paragraphs narrates the deeds that brought India's sense of justice into the spotlight, I was hooked. He then proceeds to set up the suspects - the bureaucrat who is yet to get over his loss of power, the actress who tries hard to maintain her image and reputation and not mention Nietzsche in conversations, the tribal who seemed to be the only non-stereotype and displays a sense of deep rooted compassion and understanding that humanity seems to have lost, the mobile thief who lives out the Bollywood cliche, the politician who will go to any lengths for power, and the American, whose tale - right from his name, Larry Page - is such a bizarre laugh riot that it deserves a sequel!
The story lines develop independently, but with clear connections that add to the intrigue. The politician's spiritual advisor, the actress' man Friday, the underworld's ransom kidnaps, the honest cop, the Bhopal gas tragedy and its victims, Pakistani militants, naked sadhus in Prayag, and even the Indian American university grad, all cliches that add volumes to the narrative. But the real craft and genius is in how the stories and backstories are connected, and all the details are tallied. From the motive to the execution, every character, primary and secondary, and his/her action is accounted for, all while making us believe, for instance, that Gandhi's spirit has entered a corrupt official!
After all of this, the author takes us through the night itself and just as I thought that the climax itself was an anti, it turned out to be the setup for a riveting series of events that provides a deserving end to a fantastically written work of fiction. Must read.
Right from the time the author shares a brief history of Vicky Rai, the 'victim', and in three paragraphs narrates the deeds that brought India's sense of justice into the spotlight, I was hooked. He then proceeds to set up the suspects - the bureaucrat who is yet to get over his loss of power, the actress who tries hard to maintain her image and reputation and not mention Nietzsche in conversations, the tribal who seemed to be the only non-stereotype and displays a sense of deep rooted compassion and understanding that humanity seems to have lost, the mobile thief who lives out the Bollywood cliche, the politician who will go to any lengths for power, and the American, whose tale - right from his name, Larry Page - is such a bizarre laugh riot that it deserves a sequel!
The story lines develop independently, but with clear connections that add to the intrigue. The politician's spiritual advisor, the actress' man Friday, the underworld's ransom kidnaps, the honest cop, the Bhopal gas tragedy and its victims, Pakistani militants, naked sadhus in Prayag, and even the Indian American university grad, all cliches that add volumes to the narrative. But the real craft and genius is in how the stories and backstories are connected, and all the details are tallied. From the motive to the execution, every character, primary and secondary, and his/her action is accounted for, all while making us believe, for instance, that Gandhi's spirit has entered a corrupt official!
After all of this, the author takes us through the night itself and just as I thought that the climax itself was an anti, it turned out to be the setup for a riveting series of events that provides a deserving end to a fantastically written work of fiction. Must read.
August 29, 2012
Just a few days after getting away with murdering a bartender, Vivek “Vicky” Rai was himself murdered in his own celebration party. Six suspects were detained and were brought to the authorities after having the scene of the crime fenced and the guests frisked. The suspects range from the most ordinary to the very popular and influential – all of whom has stories to tell and all of whom has enough motives to kill Vicky Rai.
A huge portion of the book itself delves into the motives, where each life is taken into account and where each character is discussed in great detail – a part of the book serves as the books sturdy foundation that builds in momentum ending in Vicky’s murder.
It was extraordinary in a way that the writer himself has drawn a picture of a real India, or should I say a real modern world – where one tricks another and where each and every individual runs around with one trick or another, ready to pounce on the innocent and the vulnerable; as shown in a society where most law breakers get to be law makers. And I think what happened in the book just goes to show the possible outcome when a society’s tolerance for injustice is pushed to its limits.
It was well written; with my expectations of a known writer who have concocted a tale loved by Oscars, met. Most of the characters had been described into great detail they seem to have lived or are living somewhere. I say “most of the characters” mainly because I think the American character in the book is badly drawn and ill-fitting, which brings me to say that I have this firm belief of Mr Swarup needing much introduction to America and its culture. All else aside from the American character is great. I could read it over again, minus the part of the American character.
In a nutshell, I believe the book aims to let us understand the hidden reasons behind every societal issue the world is facing today.
It’s a good read.
A huge portion of the book itself delves into the motives, where each life is taken into account and where each character is discussed in great detail – a part of the book serves as the books sturdy foundation that builds in momentum ending in Vicky’s murder.
It was extraordinary in a way that the writer himself has drawn a picture of a real India, or should I say a real modern world – where one tricks another and where each and every individual runs around with one trick or another, ready to pounce on the innocent and the vulnerable; as shown in a society where most law breakers get to be law makers. And I think what happened in the book just goes to show the possible outcome when a society’s tolerance for injustice is pushed to its limits.
It was well written; with my expectations of a known writer who have concocted a tale loved by Oscars, met. Most of the characters had been described into great detail they seem to have lived or are living somewhere. I say “most of the characters” mainly because I think the American character in the book is badly drawn and ill-fitting, which brings me to say that I have this firm belief of Mr Swarup needing much introduction to America and its culture. All else aside from the American character is great. I could read it over again, minus the part of the American character.
In a nutshell, I believe the book aims to let us understand the hidden reasons behind every societal issue the world is facing today.
It’s a good read.
January 26, 2019
Sometimes when I read a book I'm stumped as to what to rate it. Six Suspects is a tricky one to rate because there is so much that is done well and yet so much that is done badly.
This is not a "Meh" three stars, it is a "I liked a lot of it, but not all of it" three stars. In fact, I've changed my mind, it can have four just for being memorable and compelling.
What I liked:
1) There are six distinct stories here, interwoven to give the reader a tour of the crappier side of India. The different stories were all interesting in their own ways.
2) There was a lot of plotting that converged nicely at the end.
3) I loved Eketi, the tribal character. He was such a sweetheart.
4) I found the story of 'The Possession of Mohan Kumar' to be funny, original and very readable.
What I didn't like:
1) It all got a bit silly. As in ridiculous, unlikely, eyebrow-raisingly daft.
2) God, Larry Page was annoying.
3) The middle chapter narratives were far too long. They needed snipping down in order to maintain interest. In particular, Larry and Eketi's stories dragged on for too long.
4) The ending drags on for far too long too. It tries to be too clever and over-plots itself.
Altogether, there was a lot to enjoy here. The author was committed to keeping us readers interested by cramming lots and lots of ideas and action in every step of the way. The first half of the book was definitely more compelling than the second half and more vigorous editing would have paid off.
The other issue is the title. It promises a murder mystery, but the formula doesn't lend itself to that sort of genre. I can think of other structures that could have turned this book into a gem of a locked room murder mystery, however, the presentation and structure doesn't allow it to read like a true "mystery" novel. It's more a series of character pieces that come together in a way that almost works, but not quite.
This is not a "Meh" three stars, it is a "I liked a lot of it, but not all of it" three stars. In fact, I've changed my mind, it can have four just for being memorable and compelling.
What I liked:
1) There are six distinct stories here, interwoven to give the reader a tour of the crappier side of India. The different stories were all interesting in their own ways.
2) There was a lot of plotting that converged nicely at the end.
3) I loved Eketi, the tribal character. He was such a sweetheart.
4) I found the story of 'The Possession of Mohan Kumar' to be funny, original and very readable.
What I didn't like:
1) It all got a bit silly. As in ridiculous, unlikely, eyebrow-raisingly daft.
2) God, Larry Page was annoying.
3) The middle chapter narratives were far too long. They needed snipping down in order to maintain interest. In particular, Larry and Eketi's stories dragged on for too long.
4) The ending drags on for far too long too. It tries to be too clever and over-plots itself.
Altogether, there was a lot to enjoy here. The author was committed to keeping us readers interested by cramming lots and lots of ideas and action in every step of the way. The first half of the book was definitely more compelling than the second half and more vigorous editing would have paid off.
The other issue is the title. It promises a murder mystery, but the formula doesn't lend itself to that sort of genre. I can think of other structures that could have turned this book into a gem of a locked room murder mystery, however, the presentation and structure doesn't allow it to read like a true "mystery" novel. It's more a series of character pieces that come together in a way that almost works, but not quite.
June 19, 2015
Me ha sorprendido para bien. No creía que fuera un buen misterio "quién lo hizo", pero al final sí que lo es, si bien esa no es la intención.
El libro trata de hacer una somera radiografía de la India y una crítica a su corrupción política, a través del asesinato de un rico empresario indio que acaba de salir absuelto por el tribunal, y la historia de los seis sospechosos del crimen. De hecho, la novela está estructurada en un prólogo, la presentación de cada sospechoso, su móvil, las pruebas, las deducciones y ,por último, la confesión. Y la presentación y móvil de los sospechosos están narrados desde el punto de vista de cada uno de ellos, y con estilos diferentes: como un diario personal para la actriz, en presente para el ladrón de teléfonos móviles... El que me ha parecido más original es el del padre del asesinado, que está narrado sólo a través de sus llamadas telefónicas, que se separan por el icono de un teléfono. Aunque la historia más divertida es la del americano, que es al final una comedia del absurdo.
Como ya ocurriera en "Slumdog Millionere", el destino es un factor importante en la historia, de la misma forma que existen muchas casualidades, pero son verosímiles dentro del universo creado por el autor. La novela tiene un buen trabajo de estructura, donde las diferentes historias de los sospechosos se ordenan de tal manera que no te pierdes y descubres cómo cada una de ellas está interrelacionada.
En cuanto al final y el descubrimiento del culpable, que es importante en este tipo de novelas, al principio decepciona un poco, pero luego hay giros y más giros y cuando el verdadero culpable sale a la luz, sorprende.
En definitiva, una novela de búsqueda del asesino, que en realidad nos habla de la sociedad india actual y que es muy entretenida de leer.
El libro trata de hacer una somera radiografía de la India y una crítica a su corrupción política, a través del asesinato de un rico empresario indio que acaba de salir absuelto por el tribunal, y la historia de los seis sospechosos del crimen. De hecho, la novela está estructurada en un prólogo, la presentación de cada sospechoso, su móvil, las pruebas, las deducciones y ,por último, la confesión. Y la presentación y móvil de los sospechosos están narrados desde el punto de vista de cada uno de ellos, y con estilos diferentes: como un diario personal para la actriz, en presente para el ladrón de teléfonos móviles... El que me ha parecido más original es el del padre del asesinado, que está narrado sólo a través de sus llamadas telefónicas, que se separan por el icono de un teléfono. Aunque la historia más divertida es la del americano, que es al final una comedia del absurdo.
Como ya ocurriera en "Slumdog Millionere", el destino es un factor importante en la historia, de la misma forma que existen muchas casualidades, pero son verosímiles dentro del universo creado por el autor. La novela tiene un buen trabajo de estructura, donde las diferentes historias de los sospechosos se ordenan de tal manera que no te pierdes y descubres cómo cada una de ellas está interrelacionada.
En cuanto al final y el descubrimiento del culpable, que es importante en este tipo de novelas, al principio decepciona un poco, pero luego hay giros y más giros y cuando el verdadero culpable sale a la luz, sorprende.
En definitiva, una novela de búsqueda del asesino, que en realidad nos habla de la sociedad india actual y que es muy entretenida de leer.
October 28, 2014
Vikas Swarup is one of the best thriller writers in recent times. His first book Q&A has become world popular & six Suspects follows the same style of revealing the outcome & then running the events in flashback. But in his usual style the outcome also changes after the flashback. He can think in the most impossible way and link it in the story in most reasonable style. His characters are a mix of very dramatic & most simple. Th emost unexpected characters turn out to be exceptional.
His experience of studying the slums of India shows clearly in his second book where he takes you through the intricate & less known slums of mehrauli. His characters emerge from these slums & become the heroes. Indeed his stories are very inspiring for poor & lower middle class, whereas the rich are mean & selfish mainly involved with politicians, goons, big corrupt officers & businessmen.
If you like a racy & dramatic read which can be turned into a typical bollywood masala movie then 6 suspects is your take. But don't expect it to be as original as Q&A. It is like any murder mystery with various suspects and the hidden motives and unexpected events.
His experience of studying the slums of India shows clearly in his second book where he takes you through the intricate & less known slums of mehrauli. His characters emerge from these slums & become the heroes. Indeed his stories are very inspiring for poor & lower middle class, whereas the rich are mean & selfish mainly involved with politicians, goons, big corrupt officers & businessmen.
If you like a racy & dramatic read which can be turned into a typical bollywood masala movie then 6 suspects is your take. But don't expect it to be as original as Q&A. It is like any murder mystery with various suspects and the hidden motives and unexpected events.
November 30, 2015
3.5 stars and a night of no sleep.
I 'accidentally' picked this up as I was dusting my bookshelf and noticed that I have this book for ages but haven't read. I thought of just flipping through a few pages for a quick break. The rest's history and so too my vacuuming. So cliche...
I'm not good in doing reviews and I think with 400plus people discussing about this book are enough to give any new guy what to expect. I just want to put here my reaction to the book. It was fun and engaging, sometimes depressing with a tint of hopelessness. It was mysterious enough for my mind to keep going but not too complicated that would make me want to continue with my other unfinished books.
The highlight suspect was that poor Page guy from Waco. He was soo 'stereotypical stupid American' that made me cringe everytime he's on. But kudos to Swarup- You scored one against all those corny and cheesy Asians we got from some western authors.
I 'accidentally' picked this up as I was dusting my bookshelf and noticed that I have this book for ages but haven't read. I thought of just flipping through a few pages for a quick break. The rest's history and so too my vacuuming. So cliche...
I'm not good in doing reviews and I think with 400plus people discussing about this book are enough to give any new guy what to expect. I just want to put here my reaction to the book. It was fun and engaging, sometimes depressing with a tint of hopelessness. It was mysterious enough for my mind to keep going but not too complicated that would make me want to continue with my other unfinished books.
The highlight suspect was that poor Page guy from Waco. He was soo 'stereotypical stupid American' that made me cringe everytime he's on. But kudos to Swarup- You scored one against all those corny and cheesy Asians we got from some western authors.
July 17, 2009
Though some reviews complain that the structure is gimmicky, in my opinion it works well. Most of the characters are distinct and well-voiced -- the exceptions being the father (who too easily blends with other corrupt characters) and the unbelievably stupid American (beyond caricature to just cringe-inducing). The end is where I felt most let down: too many false climaxes and strange narrative choices. Yes, there is a message, but it loses punch when the reader has lost investment in the characters. Will I recommend this? Yes, it's an interesting story. I just won't be as effusive as I was with Q&A.
August 12, 2015
I started the book thinking it will be about a tout murder mystery case with six suspects. So at first I was really interested with the novel, with the author's choice of writing style. When I almost reached the end, I know I was somehow mislead. Maybe the problem was the book title.
The book is, besides the murder case, includes a lot of social commentary of what happening in India. It tells it through the perspective and surroundings of the six suspects. It was really interesting though.
In the end, I still enjoy the book, although sometimes I find it too long (I rarely read books more than 400 pages). I like the book but was kinda disappointed by it because I expect something else.
The book is, besides the murder case, includes a lot of social commentary of what happening in India. It tells it through the perspective and surroundings of the six suspects. It was really interesting though.
In the end, I still enjoy the book, although sometimes I find it too long (I rarely read books more than 400 pages). I like the book but was kinda disappointed by it because I expect something else.
October 17, 2016
Nice romp that explores life in India but in a lighthearted manner that does not detract from the story. It is a murder whodunit that satisfies the mind and the heart. For an Agatha Christie fan, this was a treat I relished. His writing style is simple and to-the-point, yet the characters occasionally stay on your mind long after they've been written out of the story. He does not sugar-coat the class, caste and racist undertones, makes no excuses, and no judgement...so the story does not get preachy or pedestrian. Loved it!
November 18, 2022
So bad that it made me start using Goodreads.
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Every character is incredibly stereotyped, none have any depth or realism, and the few interesting side characters are only used to forward the stories of the main characters, all of whom are just horrible and boring people.
So much stuff happens in the book and I didn't care about any of it because it was so unrealistic and borderline sacrilegious to literature as a whole. I literally only finished reading this book to confidently spite the person who suggested it to me.
This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Every character is incredibly stereotyped, none have any depth or realism, and the few interesting side characters are only used to forward the stories of the main characters, all of whom are just horrible and boring people.
So much stuff happens in the book and I didn't care about any of it because it was so unrealistic and borderline sacrilegious to literature as a whole. I literally only finished reading this book to confidently spite the person who suggested it to me.
April 21, 2009
Loved "Slumdog Millionaire" but must confess I haven't read "Q & A". Not enjoying Six Suspects so far but will persevere.
Well, persevere is the right word. I did finish it just from sheer pigheadedness not because I enjoyed it. Very long book with quite a little story. I didn't like many of the characters - the native was a funny character and the American "stalker" was entertaining as well, especially with the descriptions of Indian call-centres.
Well, persevere is the right word. I did finish it just from sheer pigheadedness not because I enjoyed it. Very long book with quite a little story. I didn't like many of the characters - the native was a funny character and the American "stalker" was entertaining as well, especially with the descriptions of Indian call-centres.
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