Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by Katherine Boo
Behind the Beautiful Forevers cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Investigative Journalism
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 734
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781846274503
  • Publisher: Portobello Books
  • Published: 2012-02-23
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 4

Behind the Beautiful Forevers takes readers into the heart of Annawadi, a slum near Mumbai's international airport, where residents eke out a living as garbage recyclers and construction workers. Amidst the stark contrasts of luxury and poverty, the community grapples with crime, global recession, and religious tensions, revealing the raw and resilient spirit of those living on the margins of society. Katherine Boo's immersive reporting brings to life the vivid characters of Annawadi, showcasing their struggles and triumphs against a backdrop of corruption and inequality. This powerful narrative offers a profound look at the complexities of modern India and the human stories often overlooked in the pursuit of progress.

Reviews
The Restful Home · 2025-01-24
impactful 4.00

The book is a short but impactful look at life in a Mumbai slum, highlighting the harsh realities and the hope that persists. The author's unflinching portrayal makes it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

The reviewer from The Restful Home describes 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' as a short but impactful book that offers a stark look at life in a Mumbai slum. They appreciate how Katherine Boo does not shy away from the harsh realities but also captures the enduring hope of the inhabitants. The reviewer finds the book to be a memorable and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after finishing it. They also note that Boo's unflinching portrayal makes the book a powerful and important piece of narrative nonfiction.

Quick quotes

    A short-and-sweet look at the book Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, by Katherine Boo.

    Boo never whitewashes the truth. She's created a powerful and unforgettable portrait of life in Annawadi.

    The book is a memorable and thought-provoking read that stays with you long after finishing it.

Reddit - Recommended Books · 2022-01-01
shaking 4.75

The book is described as shaking and intimate, piercing the heart to its depths with its portrayal of life in the slums.

The reviewer describes 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' as the most shaking and intimate book they have read, noting how it pierces the heart to its depths. They appreciate the raw and unfiltered portrayal of life in the slums, which is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. The reviewer highlights the author's ability to create a narrative that is both compelling and respectful, making it a standout work of narrative nonfiction. They conclude that the book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of life in the Mumbai slums.

Quick quotes

    It is definitely the most shaking and intimate book I have read that crushed and pierced my heart to its most humane depths.

    Not only are the characters well-drawn, but the narrative is both compelling and respectful.

    The book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of life in the Mumbai slums.

The Bibliophage · 2018-07-25
impactful 4.00

The book is described as a challenging but necessary read that does not shy away from the harsh realities of life in the slums. The reviewer appreciates the author's unflinching honesty and the depth of her research.

The Bibliophage's review notes that 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' is not an easy read, but it is a necessary one. The reviewer commends Katherine Boo for her unflinching honesty and the depth of her research. The book is seen as a powerful and important work that challenges the reader to confront the harsh realities of life in the slums. The narrative is compelling and the characters are well-developed, making the story both impactful and memorable.

Quick quotes

    Behind the Beautiful Forevers wasn't a quick read. I had to put it down many times because Boo never whitewashes the truth.

    The book is seen as a powerful and important work that challenges the reader to confront the harsh realities of life in the slums.

    The narrative is compelling and the characters are well-developed, making the story both impactful and memorable.

A Little Blog of Books · 2015-09-03
powerful 4.75

The book is an excellent and eye-opening account that shatters romanticized notions about life in the Mumbai slums. It is a powerful and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impact.

The reviewer from A Little Blog of Books found Behind the Beautiful Forevers to be an excellent book that effectively dismantles any romanticized ideas about living in the Mumbai slums. They appreciate the raw and honest portrayal of life in Annawadi, highlighting the struggles and resilience of its residents. The reviewer notes that the book is not an easy read due to its unflinching honesty, but it is a powerful and thought-provoking narrative that leaves a lasting impact. The detailed and compassionate writing style is praised for bringing the stories of the slum dwellers to life in a way that is both engaging and deeply moving.

Quick quotes

    This was an excellent book which put paid to some slightly romantic notions I've seen about living in the Mumbai slums.

    Boo's writing is detailed and compassionate, bringing the stories of the slum dwellers to life.

    The book is not an easy read, but it is a powerful and thought-provoking narrative that leaves a lasting impact.

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