Vikas Swarup

Arrested for unbelievably answering all twelve questions on the Indian game show, "Who Will Win a Billion?" semi-literate waiter Ram Mohammad Thomas explains to his lawyer how he knew the answers due to events in his personal life.

A Novel

Slumdog Millionaire

Briar's Reviews

Slumdog Millionaire is an excellent read that is packed full of drama and intrigue.

I watched the movie years ago when it came out. I wasn't totally sold on it, but promised myself I would eventually read the book. I managed to pick this book up at a charity book shop, and it's been staring at me on my TBR shelf ever since. With COVID going on, I decided to pick up a few more popular books to add to my 2020 read line up.

This book is so good! Vikas Swarup has a unique way of telling this narrative, of a man who won the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. His life ends up teaching him almost every answer, and it is heart breaking yet thrilling. Reading about the man's history and all the ways he learned the answers was so cool. The story is woven in a way you get to learn about his life question by question, which just made it way more intriguing.

Also, unlike the film, there is almost no romance in this novel. The film is super romance filled, but this one is just a man existing in his life. There's a pinch of romance, but it's definitely not as romantic as the film might have led you to believe.

What's also super interesting is that this is loosely based on a real story. The plot and characters is all fictional, based on whatever was going on in Vikas's head when he was writing. But, the fact that someone did win a show like this is real! It's super cool, and I liked that this story took it's own swing at it instead of just following the real story.

Overall, it's a great read that is super unique. It's different than my normal read, and it was super refreshing. I highly recommend it if you are looking for an attention grabbing fictional read.

Four out of five stars.

"Eighteen-year-old Ram Mohammed Thomas is in prison after answering twelve questions correctly on a TV quiz show to win one billion rupees. The producers have arrested him, convinced that he has cheated his way to victory. Twelve extraordinary events in street-kid Ram's life - how he was found in a dustbin by a priest; came to have three names; fooled a professional hitman; even fell in love - give him the crucial answes. In his warm-hearted tale lies all the comedy, tragedy, joy and pathos of modern India."

Sara Hakkoum

To be honest, the only reason I gave this book 4 stars and not 5 is because it's just not my kind of book. I don't like how the narrator jumps from present to past and back to present again. It just confused me. However, I really enjoyed the mixed plotline in The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger because it intrigued me.

In general, though, it was very carefully thought out and I really like how the author managed to make it so believable. Everything fits perfectly in the story.
I absolutely love the ending. It was so creative and surprising. I didn't really feel any thrill throughout the whole book until I reached the ending, which is probably another reason why I didn't give it 5 stars.

I don't really have much to say about it. It's generally good, but it wasn't amazing, in my opinion. It's definitely a fun read, though.

Carolina Lopes

Vikas Swarup's Slumdog Millionaire unfolds the story of Ram Thomas, an uneducated orphan from the slums of Mumbai, India. The story opens with authorities, unconvinced that a slumdog could answer all twelve questions correctly on India's biggest game show, Who Will Win a Billion?, holding Ram on suspicions of cheating. Enter Smita Shah, a lawyer bent on rescuing Ram. With Smita as his listener, Ram reveals how his life experiences gave him the needed answers to win.

Slumdog millionaire

Erin 

This book took me months to finish, but only because school got in the way (ew). I did like it, and while I can't decide between it and the movie, I think I did like it in different ways. It almost felt like two different stories - definitely had to get used to that. But I did enjoy it.

Melissa Railey

Xi Hui Teo

Eighteen-year-old Ram Mohammed Thomas is in prison after answering twelve questions correctly on a TV quiz show to win one billion rupees. The producers have arrested him, convinced that he has cheated his way to victory. Twelve extraordinary events in street-kid Ram's life - how he was found in a dustbin by a priest; came to have three names; fooled a professional hitman; even fell in love - give him the crucial answers. In his warm-hearted tale lies all the comedy, tragedy, joy and pathos of modern India.

Ivy Vatsala

C. J. Daley 

Simon Beaufoy

Eight Academy Awards including Best Film, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay The official tie-in screenplay by the writer of The Full Monty. A penniless 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai is just one question away from winning the top prize on India's Who Wants to be a Millionaire? But when the show breaks for the night, he is arrested on suspicion of cheating. In a series of thrilling flashbacks the film tells Jamal's story and reveals how he came to know all the answers... In addition to the full screenplay, this volume contains: * A foreword by screenwriter Simon Beaufoy * An introduction by director Danny Boyle * Q&A with Danny Boyle * 8 pages of colour stills and production shots * Complete cast and crew credits 'funny, shocking, spectacularly turbo-charged... a hugely important film in contemporary cinema' Daily Telegraph 'Terrific...puts a spring in your step and brings a tear to the eye' The Times 'Thrilling...perhaps the most rousing, delightful film ever to have graced closing night [at the London Film Festival]' Observer 'a glorious and great work... leaves you with a big smile on your face without insulting your brain... Beaufoy has come up with a clever screenplay... and what a story!' Sunday Times

Slumdog Millionaire A Novel

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