A Suitable Boy (Dramatised)

By: Vikram Seth

Narrated by: Ayesha Dharker, Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, full cast

Shortlisted for the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, 1993
Winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize, 1994
Winner of the WH Smith Literary Award, 1994

A Suitable Boy is now a major 2020 BBC TV series and one of the BBC's 100 novels that shaped our world.

The award-winning BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Vikram Seth's masterpiece.

A Suitable Boy is Vikram Seth's epic love story set in India. Funny and tragic, with engaging, brilliantly observed characters, it is as close as you can get to Dickens for the 20th century.

The story unfolds through four middle-class families - the Mehras, Kapoors, Khans and Chatterjis. Lata Mehra, a university student, is under pressure from her mother to get married. But not to just anyone she happens to fall in love with. There are standards to be met and finding a husband for Lata becomes a family affair in which all the members are to play a part. The characters struggle, they try to buck the system, to break free of restraint, of interference - but ultimately their strength and sense of being comes from their family and friends. It is a celebration of ordinariness; a beautifully composed story that is an affirmation of family and friendship.

In his sweeping epic, Vikram Seth has created an entire world filled with warmth, humour, pathos, tragedy - in short, life. Recorded on location in India, A Suitable Boy is made by the production team behind the award-winning Bleak House and The Handmaid's Tale.

Dramatised and directed by John Dryden. A Goldhawk Production.

©2002, 2003 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2002, 2003 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Critic reviews

"The drama highlight of the year... this sumptuous production, wonderfully atmospheric, written with pace and performed, by an all-Indian cast, quite superbly. The novel may be vast but I was convinced by this version right from the start. Magnificent drama." (Radio Times)

Brilliant Audiobook

The narration brought charecters to life. Loved the first audio book experience ! Flawless clarity in pronunciation and putting the expression across. Dramatisation enhanced the listening experience! Loved it in toto !

still getting over the unexpected ending

I am still going through all my emotions to understand how the book ended. from beg to the end...a beautiful story, with all ups and downs of being family and guilt associated with trying to choose your own path and what ones family requires them to do!

Good dramatization

You definitely need an understanding of life in India to like this dramatized version of the book.

Took me to a familiar place of nostalgic past :)

Where does A Suitable Boy (Dramatised) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 30 of my Favorite books

What did you like best about this story?

Sarita and Lata's mothers character...Very well portrayed.

What about Full Cast’s performance did you like?

Their enunciation and amazing grasp on their characters.

If you could rename A Suitable Boy (Dramatised), what would you call it?

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Any additional comments?

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Indian version of pride and prejudice!

Voices were well suited but couldn't really love the story much. expected more for sure