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Sunday Times.
As fairly said by most of the critics, The Buddha of Suburbia is by far one of the most care-free but still incredibly thoughtful book I’ve read. It did made me laugh a lot but it included a moral at the end.
I got so involved in the book at some point I felt like these character’s lives mattered more than mine and I was so worried for them I couldn’t stop myself from reading it. Through this book, Kureish taught me about religion, poverty, marriage, love, inequality, fame, drugs, sexuality and how it was to grow up in an unhappy surburbian family.
This story takes place in the south London suburbs during the 70s. This book, written in the first person, follows the life of Karim from his 15 years old to his 40s. You also follow the crazy wild life of his family and close friends. It shows the reality behind divorce, religious education, escaping clichés through different forms of art but still facing racism and inequality.
The book is composed of multiple different plots and stories: Karim’s muslim dad becoming a buddhist and cheating on his wife with Eva, a workaholic woman obsessed with the idea of becoming famous and whose son Charlie is Karim’s crush and will become a dangerously famous singer, Djamila, Karim’s feminist and young best friend being forced to marry a stranger by her proudly Indian and muslim dad. And loads of other stories (no spoiler). Most importantly, in the middle of all of these unhappy people’s dirty path to becoming better and happier persons, there is Karim’s big dream of becoming an actor, which he will achieve after experiencing racism, reject and discrimination due to his origins.
This is definitely a book I would recommend if you're looking for a wild scenario that includes amazing characters with strong personalities and opinions. You also will finish this book with a different point of view and you will feel like this novel made you grow up in a way. If you read it carefully and with attention (it is in fact a very easy to read once you get into the story) this book could teach you one of your biggest life lesson. Hanif Kureishi (who has a lot in common with the main characters) is not only rated as one of the top 50 best british writers, but he’s also well known for being a film director. So, The buddha of suburbia being his first ever novel he made a movie out of it, with a soundtrack by the one and only David Bowie, that I would also recommend.
Great to see an article about Hanif Kureishi on the blog (thanks for following my advice!). This was my favourite novel during my late teens and I still love it, even after studying it for the Agrégation! I recommend it to everyone too, and if you need help with the plethora of cultural references, I can send you my Buddhapaedia!
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