Different (The Death of Vishnu - Manil Suri)

Member Name: SmithSJ01

Product:	The Death of Vishnu - Manil Suri
Date:	04/10/08 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic writing

Disadvantages: You need to like mythology

With a mixture of Indian mythology, Bollywood storylines and an odd-job man with a difference; this novel was bound to be something different. The Bombay apartment block that is the setting for this novel has excellent characters living on every floor. There is a mix of religions and mix of cultural beliefs, with Vishnu lay dying on the landing. Through Vishnu we find out all about the lives of the families around him. On the first floor are two couples, warring over the shared kitchen and looking after Vishnu. The next floor has two families with teenagers from each in love with each other and finally on the third floor is a widower, still very much in love with his wife.

It is unusual to read and one I struggled to get into but once hooked you are soon that involved in their lives that you wouldn't dream of closing the covers unfinished. The ending proves that all cultures and religions will unite when danger, or perceived danger, occurs and it is amazing to see how close nit they will become in a dreadful deceitful way. There are laughs and sorrows throughout the novel and I loved the mixture of Shakespearean references and the blurring of boundaries between his plays and Indian equivalents.

If you don't like the mythological aspect (which was my least favourite) some of Vishnu's chapters reflecting back on his life will prove testing, yet the rest of the novel is great. Whilst I don't think it is wonderfully written, it will suck you in. This is a debut novel inspired by a real Vishnu that lived on the landing of the author's apartment block as he was growing up. The opening line is one I particularly loved, "not wanting to arouse Vishnu in case he hadn't died yet" and lets you know you are going to be reading something very different from the norm. Worth a read and perhaps other novels by the author may be more assured in style. Although not entirely my cup of tea, it is a novel I would happily recommend.

Summary: Such an unusual book