The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri

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Every now and then you find yourself reading a book which you just don't want to end. This was one of those books. I'd never heard of it or it's author before when I picked it up from a charity shop on a 'ooh, that looks interesting' whim.

Set in Bombay the story is based around a block of flats and it's residents. From the cigarettewalla to the man who sleeps on the bottom step to the Hindu families and the Muslims. References to class and caste, secularity and spiritualism without as a construct, rather than a plot. Steeped in the fascinating world of Hinduism, the subtle intricacies of Indian cosmopolitan life as well as a star crossed love plot. With sub plots of marriage, myth, legend and superstitions this book has so much going on.

At times the book had me laughing out loud with its heart warming characterisation, this story took the age old stable of 'keeping up with the Jones's' to a new level.

A pure beauty and deepness unfolds surrounding the main character - Vishnu like no other character I've ever come across. A magical plot and a book that definitely goes down as one of my all time favourites.