Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by

256 pages

English language

Published Oct. 6, 2015 by Random House Trade Paperbacks.

ISBN:
978-0-8129-8869-7
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OCLC Number:
1134988078

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5 stars (1 review)

Profiles everyday life in the settlement of Annawadi as experienced by a Muslim teen, an ambitious rural mother, and a young scrap metal thief, illuminating how their efforts to build better lives are challenged by religious, caste, and economic tensions.

8 editions

reviewed Behind the beautiful forevers by Katherine Boo

Review of 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

i've read many (fictional) stories about the (non-fictional) poverty of india - but this one was different; this one is real.
i am in awe of this author/reporter's ability to take in all the events, conflicts, and personalities of one mumbai slum and turn it into not only a cohesive narrative, but an mesmerizing tale. or maybe it's the fact that these are REAL people made the hopes and despairs so much more urgent than A Fine Balance
what's more is she's white! she required an interpreter just to communicate with this community - and then spent thousands of patient hours in observation and investigation. i've found a 'best of 2014' very early this year.

Subjects

  • Urban poor
  • Social conditions
  • Economic conditions
  • Economic history

Places

  • India
  • Mumbai
  • Mumbai (India)

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