Paromjit's Reviews > The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
by
by
This is a novel that captures the life that Arundhati Roy has lived and the issues that have consumed her since the publication of her groundbreaking The God of Small Things. It is a story about our contemporary world, of India, and Pakistan, delivered through the microcosm of individuals living through the never ending and harrowing conflict in Kashmir, and the fringe communities of outsiders in Delhi. It begins with the observation of vultures being eliminated through poison, a metaphor for the way Indian society has been poisoned by a history of corrupt and venal politicians, religious hatreds, and the overflowing rivers of blood and death denied justice. It touches on the issues of caste, divisions based on country, gender and religion, grief, loss, and love. It is a sprawling tale which lacks the steering hand of a plot, so might not suit those looking for a more defined and structured read. I found it a riveting read, infused with humour amidst the horror, and beautifully written with vibrant imagery, underpinned with artistic, lyrical prose.
In Delhi, a mother examines her new born boy, Aftab, only to find the disturbing anatomical female parts. The lonely Aftab grows up to haunt the Hijras, at the transgender centre, convinced that it is more home than his parental home or the rest of society where he cannot be himself. He is taken in and becomes the wildly popular Anjum, who takes in and raises a child, Zainab. We then get to know Tilo, in Kashmir, part of the youth brigades and her friends, a highly placed disenchanted intelligence officer, a journalist and Musa, an activist in the struggle. We see a region mired in infinite death without end. When asked to help Musa, Garson Hobard does so. Trauma causes Anjum to move to a family graveyard and build a home on top of it. It comes to be known as The Jannet Guesthouse, a sanctuary for outsiders and the misfits where no-one is turned away. It is a swirling hotbed for stories as a community springs up, supporting each other and bringing up a baby without the need for blood ties or religious divisions. This Ministry of Utmost Happiness, built on a graveyard, inhabited by minorities and outsiders, is the symbol for hope, peace and compassion amidst war torn Kashmir and for India.
For those who hold opposing political viewpoints to the author, they are unlikely to be enamoured by this book. For me, it has some deep flaws such as the vast array of characters that it is difficult to do justice to. However, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I found it a heartbreaking read when it comes to looking at the history and the current state of India, it is difficult to be optimistic about the future. Amidst the carnage, Roy paints a picture of hope and love through her eccentrics and misfits for whom India offers no home. Who would stand in the way of this literary vision? A stunning and brilliant read that I recommend highly. Thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
In Delhi, a mother examines her new born boy, Aftab, only to find the disturbing anatomical female parts. The lonely Aftab grows up to haunt the Hijras, at the transgender centre, convinced that it is more home than his parental home or the rest of society where he cannot be himself. He is taken in and becomes the wildly popular Anjum, who takes in and raises a child, Zainab. We then get to know Tilo, in Kashmir, part of the youth brigades and her friends, a highly placed disenchanted intelligence officer, a journalist and Musa, an activist in the struggle. We see a region mired in infinite death without end. When asked to help Musa, Garson Hobard does so. Trauma causes Anjum to move to a family graveyard and build a home on top of it. It comes to be known as The Jannet Guesthouse, a sanctuary for outsiders and the misfits where no-one is turned away. It is a swirling hotbed for stories as a community springs up, supporting each other and bringing up a baby without the need for blood ties or religious divisions. This Ministry of Utmost Happiness, built on a graveyard, inhabited by minorities and outsiders, is the symbol for hope, peace and compassion amidst war torn Kashmir and for India.
For those who hold opposing political viewpoints to the author, they are unlikely to be enamoured by this book. For me, it has some deep flaws such as the vast array of characters that it is difficult to do justice to. However, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. I found it a heartbreaking read when it comes to looking at the history and the current state of India, it is difficult to be optimistic about the future. Amidst the carnage, Roy paints a picture of hope and love through her eccentrics and misfits for whom India offers no home. Who would stand in the way of this literary vision? A stunning and brilliant read that I recommend highly. Thanks to Penguin for an ARC.
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Reading Progress
May 24, 2017
– Shelved
May 24, 2017
– Shelved as:
literary-fiction
May 24, 2017
– Shelved as:
netgalley
June 3, 2017
–
Started Reading
June 3, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 88 (88 new)
Paromjit wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "What do you think so far? Looking forward to your review!"
Loving this book LeAnne!!"
Yay! Seeing if I can get on the library list stat!
Loving this book LeAnne!!"
Yay! Seeing if I can get on the library list stat!
Lovely review, Paromjit, I have just added this. I really loved reading your thoughts on this, appreciated your insights - especially since I have yet to read her The God of Small Things.
I love your review Pamrojit. This does not seem to be available for request in Canada. I hope to be able to get a copy soon.
Thanks for posting this review. Nice to know your thoughts. Am too eager to read this one.its not yet available here.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Beautiful review, Paromjit! I am definitely intrigued by this book!"
So very kind Jennifer. So many thanks xx
So very kind Jennifer. So many thanks xx
Dianne wrote: "Wonderful, Paromjit! So looking forward to reading this."
Thanks Dianne, much appreciated xx
Thanks Dianne, much appreciated xx
Candi wrote: "Beautiful review, Paromjit. I need to add this."
Thank you so much Candi. I think you will like this book :) xx
Thank you so much Candi. I think you will like this book :) xx
Cheri wrote: "Lovely review, Paromjit, I have just added this. I really loved reading your thoughts on this, appreciated your insights - especially since I have yet to read her The God of Small Things."
I have a feeling that you might like this Cheri. Thank you as always for your wonderful words, so appreciated :) xox
I have a feeling that you might like this Cheri. Thank you as always for your wonderful words, so appreciated :) xox
Esil wrote: "I love your review Pamrojit. This does not seem to be available for request in Canada. I hope to be able to get a copy soon."
Thank you so much Esil. I think Penguin are only granting requests in the UK. Hope you manage to get a copy soon :) xx
Thank you so much Esil. I think Penguin are only granting requests in the UK. Hope you manage to get a copy soon :) xx
Praveen wrote: "Thanks for posting this review. Nice to know your thoughts. Am too eager to read this one.its not yet available here."
Praveen, I hope you manage to get your hands on it soon. Thank you xx
Praveen, I hope you manage to get your hands on it soon. Thank you xx
Emelia wrote: "What a great review ! Thank you Paromjit."
So kind of you to say so Emelia. Thank you xx
So kind of you to say so Emelia. Thank you xx
Karen wrote: "Fantastic review Paromjit!!!!!!!"
So wonderfully kind of you to say so Karen. Thank you dearest xo
So wonderfully kind of you to say so Karen. Thank you dearest xo
An absolutely brilliant review and you capture the heartbreak of Kashmir as Roy does so beautifully. I follow her politics and writings so I suspected that was what this book was going to reflect and now I simply cannot wait to read it. Thank you for marvelous review.
Great review Paromjit. Read a very scathing review of this in yesterday's paper. Yours is better written & more thought-provoking.
Mackey wrote: "An absolutely brilliant review and you capture the heartbreak of Kashmir as Roy does so beautifully. I follow her politics and writings so I suspected that was what this book was going to reflect a..."
The warmth and kindness of your wonderful comments are so appreciated dear Mackey. Cannot thank you enough! :) xx
The warmth and kindness of your wonderful comments are so appreciated dear Mackey. Cannot thank you enough! :) xx
Tucker wrote: "Great review! I'm so anxious to read this!"
Thank you Tucker. Hope you manage to get your hands on a copy soon xx
Thank you Tucker. Hope you manage to get your hands on a copy soon xx
David wrote: "Great review Paromjit. Read a very scathing review of this in yesterday's paper. Yours is better written & more thought-provoking."
Yes, this has been getting some mixed reviews David. I completely appreciate your wonderfully kind comments. Thank you. :) xx
Yes, this has been getting some mixed reviews David. I completely appreciate your wonderfully kind comments. Thank you. :) xx
Just read the book! A great review indeed :) But it contains spoilers. After all.,who cares!
Your review is flawless. I just finished the book and am completely devastated, depleted, and overcome by the beauty and rawness of this story.
Minu wrote: "Your review is flawless. I just finished the book and am completely devastated, depleted, and overcome by the beauty and rawness of this story."
You are incredibly kind Minu. Thank you and you are right, a wonderful book xx
You are incredibly kind Minu. Thank you and you are right, a wonderful book xx
Lata wrote: "Lovely review! Hopefully I can get my hands on this soon."
Thank you Lata...hope you enjoy reading this xx
Thank you Lata...hope you enjoy reading this xx
Great review of a complex work. I do feel we were given too much repetition of the KashmirI tortures and killings. I felt though that the last section offered such compassion, hope and yes humour for humanity. Beautiful read.
Jane wrote: "Great review of a complex work. I do feel we were given too much repetition of the KashmirI tortures and killings. I felt though that the last section offered such compassion, hope and yes humour f..."
Thank you Jane. Lovely to hear your thoughts on this brilliant novel xx
Thank you Jane. Lovely to hear your thoughts on this brilliant novel xx
Sara wrote: "Gorgeous review, can't wait to read this xx"
Many thanks Sara....really hope you enjoy this xx
Many thanks Sara....really hope you enjoy this xx
Loving this book LeAnne!!