Baumgartner's Bombay
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988
240
Novel • Fiction
Bombay, India • 1940s
1988
Adult
18+ years
Baumgartner's Bombay by Anita Desai tells the story of Hugo Baumgartner, a German Jew who escapes the Holocaust and settles in Bombay. The narrative follows Hugo's life, marked by suffering, exclusion, and alienation, as he navigates through various cities like Berlin, Venice, Calcutta, and finally Bombay, where he ultimately faces a tragic demise. Sensitive topics include portrayals of the Holocaust and racial discrimination.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Mysterious
Nostalgic
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Anita Desai's Baumgartner's Bombay masterfully conveys complex themes of displacement and identity through its poignant narrative. While its intricate prose is praised for depth and emotion, some reviewers find its slow pacing challenging. The novel stands out for its vivid characterization and evocative portrayal of post-colonial India.
Readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven narratives with historical contexts will enjoy Baumgartner's Bombay by Anita Desai. Fans of novels like A Passage to India by E.M. Forster and The Shadow Lines by Amitav Ghosh, which explore identity and displacement, will find this book compelling.
956 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Novel • Fiction
Bombay, India • 1940s
1988
Adult
18+ years
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