2017
WISE Score
Amazon
A heartbreakingly beautiful mess of a book that proves home can be found in a graveyard, provided you have the right people around you.
3.9
3.9View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This isn't a beach read. It’s a dense, gorgeous, and often brutal look at the people India tries to forget. If you have a teen who actually likes reading and wants to understand the world beyond their own zip code, this is the deep end of the pool.
It’s a commitment, but the payoff is a much bigger worldview. Just be ready for the fact that it doesn't shy away from the ugly parts of history. It’s a 400-page gut punch that somehow still leaves you feeling hopeful about human connection.
Best for 16 and up. It’s a heavy lift intellectually and emotionally. Younger teens might get lost in the political jargon or be overwhelmed by the descriptions of state violence.
At its heart, it's about creating a chosen family among outcasts and finding joy in the most broken places. However, it's balanced by the crushing weight of systemic cruelty and personal tragedy.
Arundhati Roy’s writing is wildly original. She turns a graveyard into a vibrant home and weaves decades of history into a narrative that feels more like a fever dream than a standard history lesson.
This is adult literary fiction. It contains visceral descriptions of political violence, torture, and the aftermath of religious riots. It's safe for mature readers, but definitely not for kids to stumble into.
It offers an masterclass in empathy and a brutal education on Indian politics, the Kashmir conflict, and the lives of the Hijra community. It's deeply challenging and intellectually rewarding.
Get a personalized guide on any topic
