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#modernfiction
blurb
AnneCecilie
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I had no idea that Dumbo in NYC was an abbreviation of this

I just love the name Dumbo since I love the Disney movie with the same name

AnnCrystal 💝💝💝. 1d
42 likes1 comment
quote
AnneCecilie
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“Oh, I can miss someone after a day. Let‘s meet somewhere -“
“Where?”
“Anywhere - let me think. Portofino!” He was delighted by his proposal. “Where the film stars go. Everyone must go to Italy - (…)”

(This dialogue reminds me of Taylor Swift‘s song Elizabeth Taylor. Picture of Portofino found online)

blurb
charl08
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Finally finished this chunkster! I usually get a bit itchy at any book over 300 pages, but the #Booker2025 shortlist made me pick it up (thank you, my library system).

Some great moments, but mostly I felt disconnected from the young titular characters. Think for me a book centring Pooja or Mama's story/ies would be more interesting. Acknowledging a criticism (trope of predatory older artist) within the narrative doesn't "fix" the issue, either!

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charl08
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When he told Sunny the ingredients in what he'd brought....he always added at the end: y amor!

"Huauzontles y amor! Frijoles, epazote y amor! Tomatillo, serrano y amor!"

Ulla would say, "The love is in the sauce," which had always irritated Sunny. He wanted only sauce in his sauce. Or, if anything, a touch of irony in his sauce, or the devil in his sauce, or sauciness in his sauce.

"Please leave amor out! I'm allergic to it," begged Sunny.

review
sarahbarnes
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Pickpick

I was so happy to have spent some time in the world of this book; I was a little sad to come to the end. I‘ll be thinking about these characters for awhile, and this book will definitely be on my list of favorites this year. Such an expertly woven story from start to finish. 🩵

Lesliereadsalot It‘s up next for me! 1mo
BarbaraBB Now I will definitely read it. Thanks! 1mo
squirrelbrain So good! 1mo
See All 11 Comments
Cathythoughts Great review! I have stacked already 👍🏻❤️ 1mo
charl08 I liked it, but it sounds like you liked it more than me. Loving seeing the comments around the #Booker books. 4w
sarahbarnes @charl08 I agree - it‘s been fun to see everyone‘s takes on them! 4w
sarahbarnes @Lesliereadsalot @BarbaraBB it‘s a little bit of a page commitment but I hope you love it too. 💙 4w
BarbaraBB I think I will! 4w
Lesliereadsalot About 100 pages in, liking it so far but it‘s SO BIG! 4w
sarahbarnes @Lesliereadsalot it really is! Definitely took me a little time to read it, but I loved it from start to finish. 4w
40 likes3 stack adds11 comments
quote
charl08
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This section reminds me of a neighbour from the subcontinent, who also thinks this kind of comment to near-strangers is perfectly fine...

#CultureShock

TalesandTexts How is this work? I have seen mixed reviews for this one and could definitely use some feedback on Litsy about whether to commit to such a massive read or not. And adding as person from said subcontinent - yes, our aunties and uncles have zero chill. It irks us too! 😂 (edited) 1mo
charl08 @TalesandTexts it's a good novel: I've got plenty of time to give to it though RN, I'm not sure I'd be reading it if it wasnt shortlisted for the Booker. I love "zero chill" 1mo
charl08 You've put it perfectly. 1mo
TalesandTexts Yeah makes sense - doesn‘t sound too compelling tbh. But may give it a try. Thanks! 1mo
31 likes4 comments
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charl08
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They played Iqbal Bano singing "Hum Dekhenge." The picture on the cassette cover showed the singer wearing a black sari to protest the dictatorship of Zia....

What happened within a family, what happened between a couple, was no different from that which happened in a nation under dictatorship, running on fear. Far above, planes blinked across the sky, and below, the madman in the ruins of the idgah came out and shouted....

Suet624 Powerful. 1mo
30 likes1 comment
review
mjtwo
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Pickpick

25 Sep-2 Oct 25 (audiobook)
#Bookerlonglist2025 No 12
A sprawling tale of loneliness, love and longing. I do not remember anything about Inheritance of Loss, others than so enjoyed it and read it as part of the Booker longlist many years ago.
I enjoy sprawling family sagas, which seems to be a genre at which some modern writers from India excel, and this deserves it place in the shortlist.

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charl08
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At home Sunny said: "Ulla, why did you say I put curry in everything? I put spices in everything, not curry in everything. There's no such thing as curry, in fact. It's a fake word invented by the British."

He distinctly heard his mother's voice in his ear say, Who is this stupid person?

sarahbarnes I‘m reading this now and loving it. 1mo
BarbaraBB Great quote 💕 1mo
33 likes2 comments
review
ImperfectCJ
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Pickpick

This novel is a bit like a more serious, more introspective, and more sprawling When Harry Met Sally, but saying that doesn't remotely convey the scope of Desai's story, which includes commentary about and criticism of at least four countries, the art world, journalism, and the nature of familial and romantic ties. Her characters are silly, maddening, and so relatable, and I love that they engage in productive introspection without therapy.

ImperfectCJ I have no problem with therapy, I just find therapy sessions in novels exceedingly tedious, and appreciate when an author allows her characters to grow and evolve without them. (edited) 1mo
squirrelbrain Great review! I loved this too. 1mo
59 likes2 stack adds3 comments