It's India versus Pakistan and as the excitement soars in the final over of a memorable cricket match, ten-year-old Siddharth sets off a firecracker. The blast that follows will change his life. Siddharth discovers that growing up isn't easy: he has to handle a tragic death, his best friend is gravitating to a rghtwing political party, and his film-maker father has troubles of his own as he shifts away from the commercial but lucrative world of Hindi movies. And Poona is nothing at all like Bombay. Will tennis matches help, or can his mother's beautifully retold myths do the trick? Will instant noodles come to Siddharth's rescue, or will it be his old elocution standby, The Charge of the Light Brigade? In this touching, poignant and often hilarious debut novel, Arun Krishnan has created a world we all recognise, one that will appeal equally to young adults and a more mature audience.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Review by Mike Billa Arun Krishnan whacks the coming of age story out of the park in this novel about a young man struggling to come to terms with life, death, politics, adulthood and most importantly, national sporting events. If Kurt Vonnegut, Milan Kundera and Ernest Hemingway got together to co-write a modern mythology set in 1980's India, The Loudest Firecracker would be a product of this collaboration. With imagery recalling the allegories of the Bhagavad-Gita, and a writing style that is smooth, yet deep, Krishnan pens a beautiful tale with seeming ease and humor that examined more closely has all the intricacies of a finely woven tapestry. The Loudest Firecracker follows the saga of Siddarth, a ten year old boy forced to move from Bombay to Poona - from the big city lights to the small dirt roads of a less economically prolific town. In Siddarth's story, we see India in the 1980's - shortly after the assassination of Indira Ghandi - during a time of political and social unrest. The ethos of a people preoccupied with terrorism, political slant and race hits very close to the home of the 21st century reader.
About the Author
Arun Krishnan was born in New Delhi, lived in Pune and studied in Los Angeles. He quit Mechanical Engineering in 1996 and smoking in 2001. Over the last ten years, Arun has worked in the media departments of two advertising agencies in New York City. He has also worked for Concern Worldwide, an Irish international relief organisation and IBM, an international for-profit corporation.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Through a child's eyes,
This review is from: The Loudest Firecracker (Paperback)
Children seem to have very keen senses, whether of smell, the sensation of rain, or even of fairness and justice, and The Loudest Firecracker demonstrates this beautifully. What better way to become acquainted with some of the timeless essence of India than through the eyes of a child? As a young boy, Siddharth takes us through the everyday challenges of his school life, peer pressure, and his love of cricket and tennis. But he also takes us along as he ventures into the more confusing pressures and sometimes very painful realities of the adult world as he navigates family tragedy and a political climate that seems all too wrong and unjust. This book is a must read for adults and young readers alike. It will transport you to another time and place and will remind you just how bittersweet childhood is.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great little book and a successful christmas gift,
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This review is from: The Loudest Firecracker (Paperback)
If you lived in Bombay in the seventies and eighties or if you grew in a typical Indian home this book will take you back to a familiar place. And you will relive many a classic moment from those years. If not, don't despair, pick up this book anyway and live vicariously.
This story is about a kid growing up - beautifully written in a distinctive style it happens to be set in India. I can't wait for the next book from Arun.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking book,
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This review is from: The Loudest Firecracker (Paperback)
Amazing thought provoking book, deals with a lot of subjects including the growth of parochial and communal forces and the private battles of a young boy the protagonist of the story. Will make you think after you have finished reading the book
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