Slumdog Millionaire

By: Vikas Swarup

Narrated by: Christopher Simpson

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Vikas Swarup's spectacular debut novel, the inspiration for the award-winning film, opens in a jail cell in Mumbai, where Ram Mohammad Thomas is being held after correctly answering all 12 questions on India's biggest quiz show, Who Will Win a Billion?

It is hard to believe that a poor orphan who has never read a newspaper or gone to school could win such a contest. But through a series of exhilarating tales, Ram explains to his lawyer how episodes in his life gave him the answer to each question. In his warm-hearted tale lies all the comedy, tragedy, joy and pathos of modern India.

Hear the whole story behind the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire!

©2005 Vikas Swarup (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks America

An eventful life told through a game show

This story is basically Ram Mohammad Thomas' life told through game show questions. From deserted baby to Billion rupee winner ending up in jail accused of cheating. Ram explains what his life has been and how he knew the answers to questions he wouldn't normally be able to answer.

Christopher Simpson did a very good job with all the different characters and accents. A couple times it was difficult to understand but only in a couple places, otherwise very well done.

I have not seen the movie so I cant compare it to that but I did enjoy listening to this selection and found it well worth the credit

better than movie

I enjoyed the story . I found it more compelling than the movie. I recommend the book .

A Delight!

I loved this book. Great Narrator. Great Story. I havent seen the movie yet (wanted to read the book first) but can understand why a screenplay was written based on this book. The story has terribly sad moments but is injected with humor at the same time and is definitely one of those "feel good" types of stories.

Becoming a Man in India

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The story creates just enough curiosity at the start to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. I love the adventures in India and the quirky situations which have allowed the protagonist to know the answers to the quiz show questions. This book mixes tragedy with humor, adventure, and heart. The clever set up in the book (using the quiz show for the backdrop) allowed the author to set the stage for the telling of this young man's life. I did see the movie and enjoyed it very much but the stories were quite different in the book. This is a colorful book in every sense. I found the narration to be easy to understand despite the Indian accent.

I did not think this was my kind of book!!

I didn't see the movie and the book didn't have a real draw for me. I loved it from start to finish!! On top of a great story, wonderful writing and characters who were so real to me, the narrator is excellent. Fun book.

listen to this book, you won't regret it.

I have been telling everyone to read (or especially listen to), this book. It will be in my 'to read again later' pile. Vikas Swarup did a brilliant job in taking a story and twisting and turning in clever and yet understandable ways. Christopher Simpson was terrific wilth all the voices,. I will be looking for him again. I saw the movie after listening to the book and enjoyed it, and saw some of the story in it, but I can't give it the same raves I give this audio book. Do yourself a favor and spend a wonderful 10+ hours with it!

Craftily woven story

I haven't seen the movie but may rent it after having read the book. This was a fun premise and I imagine if it happened in real life, people would still assume the poverty stricken, uneducated person cheated.

Fairy tale

Very enjoyable while painting a painful and realistic picture of modern day India
Optimism and perseverance prevail

Oustanding performance

Any additional comments?

I loved this book! It is a colorful description of life in India from the perspective of a poor orphan boy trying to make his way in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed all the adventures of Ram Mohammad Thomas, our young hero with the big heart. I was sometimes confused about the timeline, as the story jumps around in time to different phases of his life. This is because Ram is telling his life story, not in chronological order, but in the order the events of his life correspond to the quiz questions of the game show he has just won. Christopher Simpson gave an amazing performance! Everything about his narration, accents, pronunciation, expression, and timing was outstanding. I will listen to this book again sometime, enjoying it a different way now that I know some of the surprises that are revealed at the end.

the movie was good; the book is BRILLIANT

Any additional comments?

The movie ran with the general premise of the book, and it was a nice watch particularly for the scenery of India (the good, bad and ugly), but there it ends. The characters in the movie are not taken from the book at all - and the stories told in the book are captivating, and complex, and the characters authentic, yet layered and unique. I listened for six hours the first day, and finished it the next. The narrator is excellent - one of the best I have ever listened to. To those who are annoyed because he does not portray Indians with a Texan accent, because it would be easier for you to understand... whatever. I have no words for you.