Desicritics Comments on Book Review: Hitchhiker, Vinod George Joseph

Comment by Mayank Austen Soofi

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:57:20 EDT

The review reminds me of the ebony-skinned carpenter Velutha who made love to Ammu - mother of Rahel and Estha - on the banks of a river, one moonlit night in Aymenyem. It was the same river where a young Sophie Mol - half-English cousin of RahelEstha - had earlier drowned. I know May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. But how is it in August? Arundhati doesn't talk about that.

Comment by Shantanu Dutta

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 03:51:14 EDT

I read the book some months ago and though there are many characters , all are sharply etched and portrays well a society's and a family's evolution. I think it is a good read.

Comment by Aaman

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 02:10:06 EDT

This sounds like the book 'The God of Small Things' could have been, but the single-mindedness perhaps lowers the dramatic effect

Comment by Sujatha

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 11:32:22 EDT

Deepti, at the end of the book you do wonder if a few of the characters were relevant or necessary, but as you are reading the book I was lost in their stories. They are all well written little vignettes that have merit on a stand-alone basis. So I would pick up the book. :) Kishore, yes, it was. And yes, I did root for them, hoping their relationship would survive the odds.:) Sigh. I'm a sucker for things of that nature, what can I say. :)

Comment by Kishore

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:55:39 EDT

>> You secretly applaud when Ebenezer and Gayathri, his girlfriend, decide to marry. *secretly applauds* :) Was the story set in Tamil Nadu, btw?

Comment by Deepti lamba

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 10:43:25 EDT

Suj, your candid review makes me wonder whether I'd be inclined to pick up a book where the writer makes his characters meander through the pages