49 pages • 1 hour read
Mulk Raj AnandA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
282
Novel • Fiction
India • Early 20th Century
1936
Adult
18+ years
Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand follows the life of Munoo, a 14-year-old orphan from northern India who is forced to leave his village to work in various harsh and degrading conditions across the country, including as a servant, factory worker, and rickshaw puller. The novel portrays Munoo's relentless struggle for dignity and survival amidst extreme poverty, exploitation, and systemic injustice. Contains depictions of physical abuse and exploitative labor conditions.
Melancholic
Dark
Gritty
Challenging
Emotional
890 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Mulk Raj Anand's Coolie receives praise for its raw depiction of the exploitation of Indian laborers, highlighting systemic social injustices. Critics commend Anand's narrative for its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of the protagonist's struggles. However, some note that the novel's bleak outlook and intense narrative may be overwhelming for readers.
A reader who would enjoy Coolie by Mulk Raj Anand likely appreciates social realism and narratives focused on the plight of the underprivileged. Similar readers might enjoy John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath or Upton Sinclair's The Jungle for their themes of economic hardship and social injustice.
890 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
282
Novel • Fiction
India • Early 20th Century
1936
Adult
18+ years
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