This week the hosts of Nonfiction November are asking us to pair up a nonfiction book with a fiction title. It can be a “If you loved this book, read this!” or just two titles that you think would go well together. Maybe it’s a historical novel and you’d like to get the real history by reading a nonfiction version of the story.
This prompt has, for some reason, stumped me before but this year I looked at my favorite nonfiction reads for the year and immediately knew what pairing I could feature.
Katherine Boo's Behind The Beautiful Forevers was one of my favorite books this year, the true story of life in Mumbai's ghettos. It's an impressive read but I think I had a special attachment to it because it brought me back to one of my all-time favorite books, Thrity Umrigar's The Space Between Us, the story of Bhima, a slum dweller who has worked for twenty years in the home of Sera, a Parsi woman with a very conflicted relationship with Bhima.
For something that's a little tougher read (which I really enjoyed but it's a tough one for a lot of people) that also looks at life in Indian ghettos and the class battles, I might suggest Aravind Adiga's White Tiger. Much less likable characters but brutally realistic as well. I'd definitely recommend this one on audiobook.
What pairing would you recommend?
Love this pairing, Lisa! Beyond the Beautiful Forevers was a favorite a couple of years ago and I'l read The Space Between Us in 2017, for sure. Brought it to FL last winter, didn't get to it, and left it by mistake. It's there waiting for me now! Will consider White Tiger, too.
ReplyDeleteI loved Boo's book - it was such an important and interesting read that I felt I learned so much from. I have the Umrigar book on my kindle, but have never read it. Sounds like I need to. Great pairing!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great pairing! Both are on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteAnother Thrity fan? Hello! I love her and the Space Between Us is my favorite one of her books as well. This is a great pairing. I'm not good at reading (more like finishing) non-fiction, but I really feel like I need to try The Beautiful Forevers.
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