Overview
The A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth is one of the longest novels written in English ever. This novel revolves around a young girl named Lata Mishra and her three suitors & Kabir, Haresh, and Amit.
Synopsis
As the name suggests, this story is about how Lata and her family decide who the suitable boy is, for Lata to get married to. Written with crisp humour and satire, this novel is also a commentary on the social and political issues of India during the first national elections of 1952. The author, while discussing the mental confusion of Lata and her family, also deals with the issues of the Hindu-Muslim strife and the end of zamindari system. It has 19 parts, and every part is focused on various subplots. The novel includes diverse characters from four families and narrates their story for the duration of 18 months. The book vividly reflects the India of the 1950s and the atmosphere in the nation after attaining freedom.
About the Author
Born in Kolkata, the renowned author Vikram Seth now resides in England. His collection of poems, Mappings, and Beastly Tales are very famous, and he is a recipient of prestigious awards, such as Sahitya Akademi and Padma Shri.