The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny

A Novel

De: Kiran Desai

Narrado por: Sneha Mathan

A spellbinding story of two young people whose fates intersect and diverge across continents and years—an epic of love and family, India and America, tradition and modernity, by the Booker Prize–winning author of The Inheritance of Loss

“A spectacular literary achievement. I wanted to pack a little suitcase and stay inside this book forever.”—Ann Patchett

“A novel so wonderful, when I got to the last page, I turned to the first and began again.”—Sandra Cisneros

“Devastating, lyrical, and deeply romantic . . . an unmitigated joy to read.”—Khaled Hosseini

“A grand and stirring love story, written in exquisite prose.”—Namwali Serpell

“Magnificent . . . A masterpiece.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

One of Publishers Weekly’s Top 10 New Books of the Fall • One of Book Riot’s Three Most Anticipated Books of the Fall

When Sonia and Sunny first glimpse each other on an overnight train, they are immediately captivated yet also embarrassed by the fact that their grandparents had once tried to matchmake them, a clumsy meddling that served only to drive Sonia and Sunny apart.

Sonia, an aspiring novelist who recently completed her studies in the snowy mountains of Vermont, has returned to her family in India. She fears that she is haunted by a dark spell cast by an artist to whom she had once turned for intimacy and inspiration. Sunny, a struggling journalist resettled in New York City, is attempting to flee his imperious mother and the violence of his warring clan. Uncertain of their future, Sonia and Sunny embark on a search for happiness together as they confront the many alienations of our modern world.

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is the sweeping tale of two young people navigating the many forces that shape their lives: country, class, race, history, and the complicated bonds that link one generation to the next. A love story, a family saga, and a rich novel of ideas, it is the most ambitious and accomplished work yet by one of our greatest novelists.

*Includes a downloadable PDF of the family trees in the book

Exceptional story

Loved it! Learned about customs and culture. It was different kind of love. The reader was the right one for this story she was very good! She made the story even more enjoyable!

Fabulous

The book is utterly compelling and the reading brilliant. I slowed down the speed just to relish it more. If you have any contact with India it will be especially delightful and moving. If you don’t, you will have when you finish. It’s a long family chronical, reminded me of Buddenbrooks.

Vivid characters and true lives of India

This book was excellent in its portrayal of life in India in the time frames which were included in the novel. I love that Desai takes the time to provide such cleverly written details of the life, architecture, food, cities, culture and people of India. The book could have been written more concisely, however, I think it would have lost its true beauty as a result. Loved the writing- this author has a sharp tongue! Listening to the audible version was amazing- loved the narrator- excellent and brought the book to life!

Unparalleled Brilliance!

Kiran Desai is brilliant, unique, poetic, brutally honest and fastidious. This book gutted me with its honesty, sadness and beauty. Her observations, her language and her unflinching look at the reality of India and Indians, the misuse of power by individuals and classes of people, her astute observations about immigrants, the lies and truths about the world order, told through these lonely, haunting, creative, flawed characters, Sonya and Sunny, and all the villains and heroes in their lives shook me to the core. This is a seminal work. I clipped so many passages to re-listen to. I’m going to miss Sonya, Sunny, Babita, Mama, Papa, Meena foi, Satya and all the others. I will not miss Ilan. I will probably re-listen to enjoy the sheer brilliance of the writing and to listen to the masterful narration by Sneha Mathan. This is a unique, intelligent, masterful and moving book. So rich in detail and knowledge of the human experience. In Awe of Kiran Desai.

Musings of the mind

A little bit long
Repetition of chapters???
Beautiful glimpse into culture and mores of India.