[ book tip by copland smith ] An Indian diplomat, Vikas Swarup, wrote the novel Q&A, having read about a man who won the Indian version of Who wants to be a millionaire? in 2000. Following the success of Danny Boyle’s film, the book is published under the film’s name, Slumdog Millionaire. I read the book, then saw the film. Unusually, it doesn’t matter in this case which you do first. Both are enjoyable and there are enough differences in plot, names and character for one not spoil the other.

In the book, Ram Mohammad Thomas, whose name has Hindu, Muslim and Christian components, enters the familiar TV quiz. As he gets through stage after stage, some believe he is cheating, but each episode is linked to an episode in Ram’s complicated life of poverty that helps him to the correct answer. There’s an edginess between him and Prem, the quizmaster, who came from the slums himself. The style is highly readable – short sentences, lots of action and dialogue. It is an escapist romp, with evocative glimpses of India’s darker, poorer side. There are funny bits, and horrific episodes, trouble with police, romantic and unromantic encounters, and every sidetrack/flashback returning to the claustrophobia of the TV studio and the four possible answers. Highly recommended.

[ Favourite quote ] 'Train journeys are about possibilities. They denote a change in state. When you arrive, you are no longer the same person who departed. You can make new friends en route, or find old enemies; you may get diarrhoea from eating stale samosas or cholera from drinking contaminated water. And, dare I say it, you might even discover love. Sitting in berth number three of coach S7 of train 2926A, with fifty thousand rupees tucked inside my underwear, the tantalizing possibility which tickled my sense and thrilled my heart was that I might, just might, be about to fall in love with a beautiful traveller in a blue salwar kameez. And when I say love, I don’t mean the unrequited, unequal love that we profess for movie stars and celebrities. I mean real, practical, possible love. Love which does not end in tears on the pillow, but which can fructify into marriage. And kids. And family holidays in Goa.'

[ book info ] Swarup, Vikas: Slumdog Millionaire (or Q&A). (Book language: English) Random House, 2005 . ISBN: 9780552775427.