Book Recommendation: Slumdog Millionaire / Q.A

(Book originally published as "Q & A") Translated into over thirty-four languages and made into a multiple award winning major motion picture, this debut novel by Vikas Swarup is a powerful novel that hooks you in from the very first page and all the way to the finish. This critically acclaimed novel, featuring a poor young orphan boy growing up on the streets of India, is a perfect example of a riveting and thought-provoking novel that sends a powerful message to anyone who reads it.                                                                                                                                                                            
The book begins with the main character, Ram Mohammed Thomas, being arrested shortly after winning a game show for a billion rupees. The reasoning for his arrest is that he must have cheated. After all, how could an uneducated orphan who"has never even read a newspaper" have answered all twelve questions correctly without cheating?

In the story, he explains to his lawyer how he came to the answer to each and every question through flashbacks and stories about extraordinary experiences from his life, and with each story the plot thickens and draws in and engages the reader. From a voodoo magician to a cricket-obsessed hitman, each unique story has elements such as perfectly formed, relatable characters and powerful undertones.

One of the reasons why I enjoyed this book so much is the fact that it delved into so many different concepts and portrayed them brilliantly, exploring areas such as child abuse, corruption, and prostitution. Through Q & A, Swarup successfully creates a suspenseful and engaging novel that will stay with you long after turning the final page.

Rating:

Story: 10/10

An unusual, non-cliched plot keeps the story interesting and suspenseful, and will make you unable to put the book down.

Character Development: 10/10

With every chapter the plot gets thicker as the effect which events have on different characters is clearly demonstrated and well portrayed. The characters are realistic to the point that you can create a clear mental image of a character, and you can relate with every single one of them.