Un roman un peu invraisemblable, mais qui tient debout par le style impeccable de l'auteur, et le fait que s'il "divague" de temps en temps, il ne perd jamais le fil de son histoire ( )

This proved to be an exceptional novel to read while waiting at an Immagration office. Such a strange place, much like Old Trafford, the offices are unmistakingly dream factories. It would be unpleasant to wake most of the occupants. A friend from England raved over this novel and while I enjoyed such, it didn't sweep me away in a gale. It does make one ponder about those souls waiting in silence in bureaucratic queues. The veils of identity are quick and fungible. The consequences are a different narrative. ( )

An interesting story about Prath Nath, a boy who grew up in the 'lap of luxury' in India until at age 15, both his parents are dead and the servants kick him out of the house! They know his father was an Englishman, not Amar Nath and because he is a 'half breed' he is not worthy. He goes off into the world and becomes a servant of a sexual nature to the household of Nawab of Falehphur. After escaping there he is taken in by a missionary and his wife. During a riot and bloodshed, he uses an opportunity to his advantage. He goes to England posing as Johnathan Bridgman-claiming his identity. The end of the book makes for slow reading. I think there was too much going on. ( )

An appealing modern-day (and very grown up) _KIM_ (he actually quotes from Kipling throughout the novel). ( )

Who are we? Do we have an intrinsic self that we must be true to? If not, are we really anything at all? These huge themes underlie this amazing story of Pran/Bobby/Jonathan as he continuously re-invents himself in order to survive. At the age of fifteen, Pran's widowed father discovers he is not the biological father and banishes Pran from his Agra home. Left on the streets, Pran becomes a victim of human traffickers...he escapes and falls into other situations which have him becoming different people in order to meet the expectations of those he relies on.

Pran is an amazing character. His adventures contain a good mix of satire/humour and serious introspection which allows us to think about the broader implications of what is going on.

Well written, strong characters, good story, thought-provoking. Who could ask for more? ( )