Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard

Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard

by Kiran Desai

4.1
Published2014
Language en

Synopsis

Sampath Chawla, born under the auspicious signs that promised greatness, finds himself, two decades later, a listless and uninspired government worker in the sleepy town of Shahkot. His primary aspiration is a quiet place for a nap, much to the chagrin of his ambitious mother and the quiet hope of his eccentric grandmother who believes he's merely taking a 'longer route' to the top. The town, stifled by routine, is suddenly jolted when Sampath, in a desperate bid for solitude and perhaps an escape from his overwhelming family, takes refuge in a guava tree. What begins as a simple act of rebellion soon escalates into an unexpected phenomenon. Sampath is mistakenly hailed as a holy man, a revered guru whose every utterance is deemed profound wisdom, even if it's merely a commentary on his new arboreal existence. This sudden, bizarre fame attracts a circus of devotees, con artists, and even monkeys, spinning Sampath's life and the entire community into a hilarious and chaotic hullabaloo, exposing the absurdities of faith, family, and public spectacle.

Critical Reception

"This debut novel established Kiran Desai as a distinctive literary voice, celebrated for its sparkling wit, vivid characterization, and insightful satire of Indian society."

Metadata

ISBN:9780571316151
Pages:195
Age Rating:All Ages

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