Q&A or Slumdog Millionaire

I have just finished the book Slumdog Millionaire (originally Q&A). It was brilliant to use another two 'ls'. The film is a lot different, seeming to retain just the concept. This makes the book all the more enjoyable as there is no need to compare it to the film. The last line of the book is guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye - Because luck comes from within. Really though, Ram Mohammed Thomas is a character you have to like, because of his compassion for other humans. He chooses to help people rather than not, and connects with people in ways that affect his 'luck'. Because he is a communicator, he meets people who craft his ability to know the answers to quiz questions in the TV quiz show that is the backdrop to his life. Others would call it serendipity.

This is the third book I have read about India lately. The others being The White Tiger and Shantaram. The main character in The White Tiger is not likeable (rather, cunning and driven by circumstances), but a lot about India (particularly corruption, also a theme in Q&A) is portrayed in this novel. Whilst reminders of what India is are in Shantaram too, the main character is not (for me) charismatic, but has more of a gangster mentality. However, as with Ram in Q&A, he too connects with people. This can change the nature of your life. Being cut off makes less things possible. One thing that emerges from all three novels is that India is a place where things can happen by chance. In a country of so many millions living in close quarters with each other, unpredictability would have to be a key aspect of life.