Introduction
Some books don’t just tell you a story, they pull you into a world so vivid that you can almost feel its air, smell its rivers, and hear the voices of its characters long after you’ve closed the pages. For me, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy was exactly that kind of book.
I picked it up knowing it was a Booker Prize winner, so my expectations were high. But what I did not expect was how deeply lyrical, haunting, and emotionally layered the novel would be. It is not an easy read in the sense of being lighthearted. It asks you to slow down, to observe the details, and to sit with emotions that are sometimes uncomfortable. Yet, it is precisely this intensity that makes it unforgettable.
This The God of Small Things review is my attempt to share that experience—why it touched me, what makes it stand out, and why I think every serious reader should give it a chance.
The God of Small Things Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Set in Kerala, India, The God of Small Things tells the story of fraternal twins Estha and Rahel, who grow up in a family torn apart by secrets, love, social hierarchies, and tragedy.
The novel is not told in a linear fashion. Instead, it moves back and forth in time, slowly piecing together the events of their childhood and the consequences that ripple across decades. At the heart of it lies a forbidden love story, rigid caste divisions, and the painful truth that small moments—seemingly ordinary choices—can alter lives forever.
It is a story about memory, family, betrayal, and the way society dictates who is allowed to love whom.
My Reading Experience
Reading The God of Small Things felt like walking through a dream that is sometimes beautiful and sometimes nightmarish. Arundhati Roy’s prose is unlike anything I had encountered before. She bends language, breaks conventional grammar, and creates rhythms that feel almost like poetry. At first, I had to adjust to the style, but soon I found myself completely immersed in its music.
One of the lines that struck me was: “That’s what careless words do. They make people love you a little less.” I paused when I read it because it felt so simple and yet so devastatingly true. It reminded me of moments in my own life when small words carried far heavier weight than I had imagined.
The twins, Estha and Rahel, lingered with me long after I finished the book. Their innocence contrasted painfully with the harshness of the adult world around them. The way they experience love, loss, and betrayal reminded me of how childhood memories shape us long after we grow up.
By the end, I felt both heavy-hearted and grateful—heavy because of the tragedy, grateful because I had experienced a story told with such rare beauty.
Characters and Writing Style
Estha and Rahel
The twins are the soul of the novel. Their bond is intimate, almost magical, and yet deeply fragile. Seeing the world through their eyes makes the story all the more heartbreaking.
Ammu
Their mother, Ammu, is a strong yet vulnerable woman whose choices are constantly constrained by societal norms. Her struggle to find happiness and freedom makes her one of the most complex characters in the book.
Velutha
Velutha, the “God of Small Things,” is perhaps the most memorable character. As a Dalit, he exists on the margins of society, yet his quiet dignity and kindness shine through. His relationship with Ammu is both tender and tragic, and it becomes the center around which much of the novel revolves.
Writing Style
Arundhati Roy’s writing is what makes this book extraordinary. Her sentences are lush, fragmented, and often childlike in rhythm, mirroring the perspective of the twins. She doesn’t just tell a story; she paints with words. Some readers may find the non-linear narrative challenging, but for me, it created a mosaic effect—each piece slowly fitting into place.
Themes and Analysis
Love and Forbidden Relationships
One of the central themes is forbidden love—love that defies societal, religious, or caste-based boundaries. Roy shows both the beauty and the devastating consequences of such love.
Caste and Social Inequality
The novel exposes the cruelty of India’s caste system, where Velutha, despite his humanity, is condemned simply because of his birth.
Memory and Trauma
The narrative constantly shifts between past and present, showing how trauma never fully disappears but lives on in fragments of memory.
The “Small Things”
As the title suggests, it is often the small gestures, words, or moments that carry the deepest weight in life. Roy reminds us that beauty and tragedy both exist in the details.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Lyrical and poetic prose unlike any other
Deep, complex characters that feel painfully real
A haunting atmosphere that stays with you long after reading
Bold themes of love, caste, and freedom
Weaknesses
Non-linear structure can feel confusing for some readers
Heavy subject matter makes it emotionally demanding
Language style may not appeal to those who prefer straightforward storytelling
Comparison with Other Books
If you liked Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children or Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland, you will likely appreciate The God of Small Things. All of these books explore family, identity, and Indian society, but Roy’s novel stands apart for its experimental prose and emotional rawness.
Who Should Read The God of Small Things?
Readers who appreciate lyrical, poetic writing
Those interested in Indian culture, history, and social issues
Lovers of literary fiction that is layered and emotionally powerful
Readers willing to engage deeply, rather than skim lightly
This is not a “casual weekend read.” It is best enjoyed when you have time to slow down and absorb its atmosphere—perhaps during quiet evenings or long reflective reading sessions.
Final Verdict
My The God of Small Things review would be incomplete without saying this: the book is not for everyone, but for those willing to embrace it, it can be life-changing. It is tragic, yes, but it is also breathtakingly beautiful.
Arundhati Roy gives us a story that feels both personal and universal, rooted in Kerala yet echoing truths about love, loss, and injustice that resonate everywhere.
I highly recommend it to anyone who loves literature that dares to break rules and digs deep into the human condition. It is not just a book you read—it is a book you experience, one that will stay with you for years.
✅ The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is a masterpiece of modern literature—haunting, lyrical, and unforgettable.