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  • Slumdog Millionaire (a.k.a. Q&A)

  • By: Vikas Swarup
  • Narrated by: Kerry Shale
  • Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (795 ratings)

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Slumdog Millionaire (a.k.a. Q&A)

By: Vikas Swarup
Narrated by: Kerry Shale
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Editorial reviews

Why we think it's Essential: It's rare that you hope for traffic on a road trip, but when I drove from New York to Boston with Kerry Shale's narration of Q&A for company, I had my fingers crossed for a back-up at the bridge. How could I tear myself away from Shale's distinct characterizations? The orphan from Mumbai, the faded Bollywood star, and the ruthless game show host - Who Wants to Win One Billion Rupeeeeees? - all made for a truly extraordinary listen. — Diana Dapito

Publisher's summary

A small prison cell in India holds an 18-year-old penniless waiter from a Mumbai slum. But Ram Mohammad Thomas isn't a criminal. He is under arrest for correctly answering 12 tricky trivia questions on the show Who Will Win a Billion? Reluctant to part with the jackpot of one billion rupees, the show directors bribe the police to arrest Ram, accusing him of cheating. For how else could a poor, uneducated orphan know so much: the name of the smallest planet, global capitals, and diplomatic policy? Ram is rescued by a lawyer who draws from him the always compelling, touching, and sometimes comic story of his life, explaining the source of his knowledge. An inspired performance by reader Kerry Shale captures the spirit of this off-beat novel, a blend of high comedy and touching melancholy.

This novel was originally published with the title Q&A and is the basis for the movie Slumdog Millionaire.

©2005 Vikas Swarup (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

Critic reviews

  • 2005 Audie Award Winner, Fiction (Abridged)

"Shale's performance is brilliant." (USA Today)
"Reader Kerry Shale captures every nuance and distinction of the many personalities involved." (Boston Globe)
"This production gains much from Shale's excellent and lively performance....Shale makes it sincere, hilarious, heartbreaking, and delightful....His gifted reading, full of emphasis, inflection, and excitement, is a joy to listen to." (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Slumdog Millionaire (a.k.a. Q&A)

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

very entertaining

A great story! There are a few parts that are so unrealistic, it kinda ruins the believability of the story but it is all still very entertaining.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great listen

A captivating story that was excellently performed! Well worth listening to. I will definitely recommend it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story.

Love the way the narrator is able to change the voices. Great story great plot wish I could see this at the movies

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

This was the first audiobook I have ever purchased and all I can say is wow. I heard the sample and thought the audio quality was a little rough, but the story and narration were put together so well, I couldn't help but marathon through the entire book in about four sessions. It's a great story that just makes you feel good in the end. A definite must have, and worthy of a credit.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Good but Not Great

I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't say how the book compares. (It will be showing on campus in two weeks.) A good but not great novel about an uneducated young man who is accused of cheating to win the Indian equivalent of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" because no one can believe that he would know so many answers otherwise. Swarup uses an interesting structure: as Ram Mohammed Thomas reviews the show's tapes with his lawyer, he relates the events in his life that led to his knowing the correct answer for each. Although his story is one of cruelty and hardship, his optimism and good nature persist. The ending is full of happy coincidences and a few surprises. The reader for this version is excellent.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyable.

This book starts a little slow, but quickly becomes engrossing. The plot is fresh and involving, the writing is crisp and witty, and the reading is outstanding.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book and reader

This was a really good book--made even more enjoyable by the wonderful job of reading by the narrator. I was very pleasantly surprised by this choice, since I hadn't heard anything about it before. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the best audio books I have listened to

A great story. With loads of twists and turns. Funny and poignant.

And yes, Kenny Shale's performance is fantastic.

Download this book immediately!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An Awesome Listen

Crazy good presentation that captured and kept my attention. Now I want to see the movie!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

So clever!

I loved this story and I thought the whole premise was incredibly clever. This recording was just so enjoyable!

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