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Literary Fiction· India

A Suitable Boy

by Vikram Seth
Aggregate Editorial Score42/100
Kirkus Reviews
Published 19931408 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1993, A Suitable Boy established Vikram Seth as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Mrs Rupa Mehra searches for a suitable husband for her daughter Lata in post-independence India while the vast country navigates land reform, communal violence, and its own identity. At 1,349 pages, Seth's novel is the longest single-volume novel in the English language. Themes of India, marriage, independence run through the work. The book has received recognition from Kirkus Reviews 1993.

Book Details

AuthorVikram Seth
Published1993
Country of Origin🇮🇳 India
LanguageEnglish
Pages1408
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780060786588
Editorial Score42/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇮🇳 India

This book is part of India's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

Vikram Seth's landmark A Suitable Boy (1993) displays remarkable narrative sophistication. It traces the interior life with a seriousness and skill that place it among the finest works of its kind. Essential for any serious library.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Kirkus Reviews
notable · global
19938
✍️
About the Author
Vikram Seth
India
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Vikram Seth is a celebrated author from India known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is A Suitable Boy about?

Mrs Rupa Mehra searches for a suitable husband for her daughter Lata in post-independence India while the vast country navigates land reform, communal violence, and its own identity. At 1,349 pages, Seth's novel is the longest single-volume novel in the English language.

Who wrote A Suitable Boy?

A Suitable Boy was written by Vikram Seth, from India. First published in 1993.

What awards has A Suitable Boy won?

A Suitable Boy has received the following awards and honours: Kirkus Reviews 1993.

Is A Suitable Boy worth reading?

A Suitable Boy is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 8/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in India, marriage, independence.

Where can I buy A Suitable Boy?

You can buy A Suitable Boy on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is A Suitable Boy?

A Suitable Boy is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is A Suitable Boy from?

A Suitable Boy originates from India's literary tradition. Explore more books from India on our country page.

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