Behind the Beautiful Forevers

by Katherine Boo
Behind the Beautiful Forevers cover
Good Books rating 4.67
Investigative Journalism
Technical:
  • ID: 734
  • Added: 2025-09-19
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9781846274503
  • Publisher: Portobello Books
  • Published: 2012-02-23
  • Formats: 24
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99

Annawadi, a slum at the edge of Mumbai Airport, is home to garbage recyclers and construction workers who dream of sharing in India's economic boom. However, their hopes are shattered when a crime rocks the community, and external shocks like global recession and terrorism exacerbate existing tensions over religion, caste, sex, power, and economic envy. As these tensions turn brutal, the residents of Annawadi must navigate the complexities and inequalities of the new India. Through vivid storytelling, the author brings to life the extraordinary resilience and vigor of individuals thriving against all odds, offering a stark contrast to the glittering cityscape beyond their slum.

Reviews
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.

The Guardian · John Mullan · 2012-06-29
harrowing 4.50

The book provides a deeply intimate and painstakingly researched account of life in Annawadi, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the struggles and hopes of its residents. It challenges romanticized notions of slum life and presents a stark reality.

John Mullan from The Guardian highlights the meticulous and empathetic approach Katherine Boo took in crafting this narrative. The book is praised for its unflinching honesty, capturing the daily realities of life in the Mumbai slums without sugarcoating the harsh truths. Mullan appreciates how Boo's work dispels any romanticized ideas about living in such conditions, presenting instead a vivid and often harrowing portrait of resilience and desperation. The reviewer also notes the emotional depth and the careful, slow process of research that went into the book, making it a powerful and unforgettable read.

Quick quotes

    For Katherine Boo, working on this intimate account of life in Annawadi was slow, uncertain and painful in a variety of ways.

    The book is a triumph of empathy and reportage, offering a window into a world that is often overlooked.

    Boo's writing is both compassionate and unflinching, presenting a raw and unfiltered look at life in the slums.

The New York Times · Dwight Garner · 2012-01-30
moving 4.75

The book is a triumph of narrative non-fiction, offering a deeply moving and beautifully written account of life in the slums. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of giving voice to the voiceless.

Dwight Garner from The New York Times praises Behind the Beautiful Forevers as a triumph of narrative non-fiction. He highlights the beautifully written and deeply moving account of life in the Mumbai slums, noting how Boo's work gives voice to the voiceless. Garner appreciates the emotional depth and the careful, detailed storytelling that makes the book a compelling and unforgettable read. He also notes that Boo's approach is not sensationalist but rather a thoughtful and respectful portrayal of the struggles and hopes of the residents of Annawadi.

Quick quotes

    A triumph of narrative non-fiction, offering a deeply moving and beautifully written account of life in the slums.

    Boo's work gives voice to the voiceless, presenting a thoughtful and respectful portrait of the struggles and hopes of the residents of Annawadi.

    The book is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of giving voice to the marginalized.

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