Filled with bizarre characters and several threads for the storylines, but why anyone would consider this a science fiction, or even a fantasy, novel is beyond me.

I enjoyed the book and will probably read more of John Irving, but it is not an easy read.

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If you like John Irving, I think you may like this. It reads like a murder mystery and of course there are bizarre characters.

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I am a huge fan of Irving's but this was just not very good.

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Not an easy read, but worth the effort. The story of a man born in India, schooled in Vienna, living in Toronto who never feels like he belongs anywhere. It's as colorful as a silk sari.

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I enjoyed the book, it was not like anything I had read before. The novel is not about India but there is lots of take of India, also broken sexual boundaries.

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I'll begin by saying I certainly respect the author, he has received much acclaim for his work. The book presented a couple themes I love, the circus, and India. The author certainly created characters I grew to care about because I wanted to stop reading it after I gave it 150 pages of my time, but I couldn't bring myself to stop " in case" it got better. Once Nancy's character was introduced I was really drawn in, but not enough for me to really like it. I can fault the male narrator, and the human flaws of all the characters, and there were many, because I know I don't respond well to either of those themes. Worth a read, I think the author is excessively wordy and detailed, but some people might love that aspect of the book. Try it.

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Really an unusual book for it's time. If you liked Garp, you will love this.

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All the quirkyness of a John Irving novel set against the patchwork quilt that is the nation of India.

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This was a REALLY good story! I REALLY enjoyed it!

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