Product Description

This fabulous, far-reaching book breathtakingly captures the tumult, ambition, hardship and serenity that mark modern India. Theroux’s characters risk venturing far beyond its well-worn paths to discover woe or truth or peace. A holidaying middle-aged couple veer heedlessly from idyll to chaos. A buttoned-up Boston lawyer finds relief in Mumbai’s reeking slums. A young woman befriends an elephant in Bangalore. We also meet Indian characters as distinctive as they are indicative of their country’s subtle ironies: an executive who yearns to become a holy beggar, an earnest young striver whose personality is transformed by acquiring an American accent, a miracle-working guru, and more. The Elephanta Suite urges us towards a fresh, compelling, and often inspiring notion of India and its effect on those who try to lose — or find — themselves there.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #66012 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
Beautifully paced, sexy and disturbing (Washington Post )

Theroux at his best (India )

Destined to join the canon of great works about India (Good Book Guide )

Review
'Theroux paints his characters with conviction and seems sure of his themes and his setting'.

About the Author
Paul Theroux’s highly acclaimed books include Blinding Light, Dark Star Safari, The Great Railway Bazaar, The Old Patagonian Express, and Fresh Air Fiend. The Mosquito Coast and Dr Slaughter have both been made into successful films. Paul Theroux is also a frequent contributor to magazines. He divides his time between Cape Cod and the Hawaiian islands.

Customer Reviews

Disappointment
I have loved so much of Theroux's work but this has been such a disappointment - quite frankly it is I think the worst book I have ever read. It is ill-concieved and lacking a theme, plot or even concept. Do not buy.

A very narrow view of India
I was so excited at the prospect of this book - one of the best travel writers writing about my favourite place. I have heard it said that India holds up a mirror to you and your situation in life, forcing you to confront the issues, however uncomfortable they may be. This is, I think, what the book is about and it seems to me a wasted opportunity that the lead characters are all defined by their sexual conduct. This seems a very narrow prism through which to view anyone - especially in a society as diverse as India - and is one which seems to insult both Indians and Americans. Having said all that, Theroux does create some wonderful characters - Shah - the self riteous Jain in the second story, lost Alice and the truly dreadful Stella in the third.

Fascinating
This newest book by Paul Theroux was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The three novellas are bound together by India as well as fleeting glances between each of the characters and examines the transition between post colonial third world to high tech mecca.
Literary tastes are divergent; one takes away something different from a work than another reader does. Each story in this book is an example of that.