Indian Readers discussion

About Author:
Dominique Lapierre
Dominique Lapierre (born 30 July 1931) is a French author. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award in the 2008 Republic Day honours list.

About Book:
Based on real life incidents, this is the inspiring story of an American doctor who experienced a spiritual rebirth in an impoverished section of Calcutta.

Published in 1985, the book is set in the slum of Anand Nagar, which is based on the area of Pilkhana in Howrah, West Bengal. The character of Stephan Kovalski is based on the life of Gaston Dayanand, a Swiss national and nurse by profession, who moved to India in 1972 and has devoted his life to improving the welfare of slum dwellers. The book also refers to Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity.

The book received the Christopher Award in 1986, given for creative work that exhibits the highest values of the human spirit.

It was adapted into a film in 1992 - directed by Roland Joffé and starring Patrick Swayze.

Thank you everyone for selecting another wonderful book :)
I will be starting this tomorrow.

After reading (or alongside), I also intend to watch the film.

Who all are planning to read this?

I won't be picking up this BOTM simply because I am not feeling inclined towards reading another story about India's slums. However, I will be following the discussion thread to see if the book is indeed worth the hype (especially since it led the polls by a good margin). Happy reading to all!🙂

I have my e-copy already. I also had a paperback donated by a relative, but that eventually disintegrated. I will read this along with anyone else.

Shriti wrote: "I won't be picking up this BOTM simply because I am not feeling inclined towards reading another story about India's slums. However, I will be following the discussion thread to see if the book is ..."

What other book(s) have you read about India's slums?

@Austin: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line is the most recent fiction that comes to my mind. Rediscovering Dharavi is something I read almost 10 years back. Not to forget the visual whiplash I still have from the screen adaptation of Vikas Swarup's Q & A a.k.a. the Slumdog Millionaire.

Shriti wrote: "@Austin: Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line is the most recent fiction that comes to my mind. Rediscovering Dharavi is something I read almost 10 years back. Not to forget the visual whiplash I still ..."

ok

I have read till 10 chapters. It is very grim and heart wrenching.

I am starting the 3rd part, having crossed the middle of the book. The language is rich and diverse. I would not have been able to live in The City of Joy. The book feels like it is supported by research or writings from real life, and I was not surprised to see this confirmed.

4 stars so far.

And 4 stars it is! Like all my previous favourites, this one I enjoyed rereading on my Kindle. The book is so interesting to read that it translates to joy. This one is one of the few survivors from my adolescence as a piece of art I highly respect. Looking forward to next month BOTM.

Great going Luffy! Glad you loved it again.

I'm in the beginning of Part 2.
The parallel line with the priest is still fine. Its the other half which is gut wrenching.

Gorab wrote: "Great going Luffy! Glad you loved it again."

Thank you, Gorab! Looking forward to your or anyone else's further thoughts on this.

Gorab wrote: "Thank you everyone for selecting another wonderful book :)
I will be starting this tomorrow.

After reading (or alongside), I also intend to watch the film."

Did u get a chance to watch the film? Does it stay true to the source material?

I am around 40% in and really liking this. Though hard to like because of the picture that the story paints of misery and pain is not at all easy to read but I hung on to all the good things that happens here like how Ram helps Hasari in obtaining the rickshaw (that little tid bid about the naming was interesting), and then how he return the kindness, their brotherly bond, Stephen and slum dwellers doing things for each other, how the festivals are celebrated together irrespective of religion, and the kindness that people show to others is just mesmerizing,.. and makes the story so much more special.

I haven't read this one but had liked his book freedom at midnight. Must check this book out someday

Shriti wrote: "Gorab wrote: "Thank you everyone for selecting another wonderful book :)
I will be starting this tomorrow.

After reading (or alongside), I also intend to watch the film."

Did u get a chance to wa..."

I watched the movie nearly three decades ago. The late Patrick Swayze played the role of Max Loeb, the Miamian. Om Puri played the role of Hasari Pal and the book's other main character Paul Lambert seemed to have had his role scrapped in fine Hollywood style. Hope that answers your question.

The Wanderer wrote: "I haven't read this one but had liked his book freedom at midnight. Must check this book out someday"

It's a very good book, one underrated because few people want to think of the poor in India. It's not glam enough I suppose.

Luffy wrote: "The Wanderer wrote: "I haven't read this one but had liked his book freedom at midnight. Must check this book out someday"

It's a very good book, one underrated because few people want to think of..."

Yeah possibly. Have not come across this before I think

I'm at around 350 pages.... It will still take me a week or so to finish.
It is engrossing, gut wrenching, dark depressing, and still brimming with never say die attitude of few strong hearted characters.

So far, I'm loving it very much.

Anone else still reading it?

I'm sorry to see the news that the author of this book passed away few hours back :(
May his soul rest in peace!

Gorab wrote: "I'm sorry to see the news that the author of this book passed away few hours back :(
May his soul rest in peace!"

Lapierre wrote at least one great book, and he enjoyed a long life. His last days were not hindered by any indignity. RIP. A talented author.

Gorab wrote: "I'm at around 350 pages.... It will still take me a week or so to finish.
It is engrossing, gut wrenching, dark depressing, and still brimming with never say die attitude of few strong hearted char..."

I read this book years ago and absolutely loved it! The story, the emotions are so well captured and makes you ponder about the many migrants you see in the city, of what they probably have had to face. I remember this particular bit in the book on how plastic pots shatteringly finished the livelihoods of potters.