The central figure of the story is Abdul, a Muslim teenager, with an innovative mind full of aspirations, ideals, and beliefs. In the light of India’s flourishing progress, he owns a heart filled with hopes and dreams for a better future. Dwelling in one of the slums of Mumbai, Abdul sees his goldmine in the sale of recyclable trash discarded by the wealthy populace of the city.
During a period of global recession, when the country is inflicted by terror and religious and economic oppression, the erroneous murder charges against Abdul and his subsequent arrest are only trivial, hackneyed events. The shocking disparity between the rich and the poor are outlined very graphically, as one set of people lie ensconced in the most luxurious settings of international hotels, while on the very same street, another set of people struggle to survive the dire levels of hygiene in their surroundings.
The tale of Abdul’s life and those of other helpless people in the novel betray the truths behind the veil of globalization. In a country screaming for freedom from corruption, these wretched souls find that the doors of corruption are their only means to freedom. As Katherine narrates the poignant tales of these slum inhabitants, it is heartrending to note that even in this completely hopeless impasse, they still foster dreams for a better future.
Released in 2012, Behind The Beautiful Forevers has been acclaimed for its extensive factual evidence, and it has a received positive response worldwide. Belonging to the genre of fiction, the book is written in a narrative style, which gives a personal touch to an otherwise factual documentary.
About the Author
Katherine Boo is a multi-award-winning journalist, whose works are mainly concerned with America’s underprivileged people.
Apart from The Beautiful Forevers, Boo has also written New York City: Random House.
Katherine writing is said to be compelling and yet intimate, and her novel is fast paced and candid. Her dedication to helping society can be seen in her vastly researched work, which has won her numerous awards.
Katherine Boo was born on August 12, 1964, and grew up in Washington D.C. Although of Swedish origin, she was raised in America when her father became an aide to the U.S. Representative, Eugene McCarthy. She married Sunil Khilnani, the director of the India Institute at King’s College, and also a professor of politics. Boo embarked on her journalistic career after graduating summa cum laude from Barnard College.
She started out with editorial positions at Washington’s City Paper and then went on to writing for The Washington Monthly and later The Washington Post. In 2000, the Pulitzer judges recognized her work to be the chief factor to induced reforms to the homes of the mentally retarded and awarded her the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Her article on social justice, After Welfare, won the Sidney Hillman Award in 2002. After having contributed to The New Yorker for two years, she joined its staff in 2003 and won The National Magazine Award for her article, The Marriage Cure, which was a portrayal of Oklahoma’s endeavors to educate the underprivileged populace about the benefits of marriage.
