Welcome back, Buzz Book Club readers! I really enjoyed the movie Slumdog Millionaire, and thought I'd use this month's book club to explore the book on which it's based, originally titled Q&A. Already the two are pretty different, and we'll discuss how they match up so far after the jump.
First, here's a recap of how the Book Club goes: Every week I'll suggest chapters to complete by the next post (which, in this case, will go up every Friday in March). In these weekly Book Club posts, I'll posit a few questions to prompt discussion in the comments section.
Of course, you are always welcome to read beyond the weekly chapters, but please don't spoil anything in the comments! After the jump you'll find some questions that struck me as I read this section.
The next section: Read from "50,000 Rupees — How to Speak Australian" through "1,000,000 Rupees — License to Kill" (stop before "10,000,000 Rupees — Tragedy Queen"). We'll chat about this section a week from today, March 20.
To discuss the first section of Slumdog Millionaire, in which we read from the prologue through the chapter titled "10,000 Rupees — A Thought for the Crippled," read more.
- The book already has some pretty significant differences from the movie version of Slumdog Millionaire. If you've seen the movie, how are you adjusting to the changes? I found it took me a couple of chapters to think of this as a separate story, rather than wait for certain key events in the book.
- Ram Mohammad Thomas seems more assertive than his movie counterpart, Jamal, and he's maybe even more wise beyond his years. What do you make of him as a narrator so far?
- I did a little cheer when Salim showed up for the first time. Are there other characters or parts of the movie that you're really hoping turn up in the book?
- It's nice to get to know Salim more in the book than we do in the film, and I find it interesting to delve further into Ram's background (his childhood with the priest, etc.) as well. Is it fun to know these characters more deeply, or do you find it unnecessary? Is the snapshot of them that we get in the movie enough?
- So far, the book seems to get deeper into issues of religion and sexuality than the movie did. Do you think those subjects are better suited for the printed page than the screen?
Superdrug
Fornarina
Hush Puppies
I didn't really associate the Salim in the books with the Salim in the movie; to me they're different people who just happen to share a name. The movie was really only loosely based on the book, it's almost like comparing apples and oranges......or curry to stew.
1I was really shocked at how different the book is from the movie. I agree that after a few chapters I was able to separate the two from each other.
Ram Mohammad Thomas does seem a bit assertive than Jamal, but I just loved Dev Patel so I still picture him as the main character. I do see similar traits in the characters as I read more.
Salim in the book is so drastically different from movie Salim. I was relieved when he first showed up, I needed a familiar face! I don't know if I missed something...will Latika be in the book?
I think that it is nice to get a deeper background in the book. It's the beauty of the story, I think. His life is what has lead him to answering the questions on this show. In that respect, it is the same as the movie. The questions are different and the experiences are different but each experience has given him an answer to the questions.
I am really enjoying this book so far!
2I did not see the movie. But it is alway good for me to read the book first so that I can get the whole back round story of the characters.
3I haven't seen the movie yet...I decided to hold off until I've read the novel. I always try to do that
4I loves me some book club! Super poor though....any thoughts on ways of getting books a bit cheaper? Rental services, etc.? I'm thinking of trying this Netflix of books-type thing, Bookswim - 10 bucks for 3 books a month....anyone tried this? Or any type of book rental?
5WordyNerd — does your local library have it? mine ordered a bunch of copies right when the movie was hitting theaters.
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