Show Business: A Novel [Hardcover]

Shashi Tharoor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 1992

On-screen fiction and off-screen reality intertwine in a story of the glitz, glamour, egos, and double standards found in the Hollywoodish Indian film world. 15,000 first printing. National ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The casting couch, big egos, glitz and various forms of exploitation are just as much a part of India's film industry as of Hollywood, to judge from this entertaining, occasionally uneven satirical novel. Bombay superstar Ashok Banjara, a government minister's son, is a personable, egotistical cad. He courts a co-star whle his wife is pregnant with triplets, flaunts his affair across the nation and later runs for a seat in the Indian parliament long held by his disapproving father. Tharoor ( The Great Indian Novel ) unreels a tale of multiple betrayals in the alternating voices of the main characters, intercutting extended movie scenes that, while not advancing the plot much, effectively contrast an inane celluloid fantasy land with a society burdened with economic disparities and caste conflicts. Although the parallels he draws between Bombay's tinseltown and Indian politics and religion are a bit strained, Tharoor has a flair for creating vivid characters, such as a cranky gossip columnist, an embittered friend betrayed by Ashok, and the hero, who meets a fiery fate.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

After his highly regarded debut with The Great Indian Novel ( LJ 3/1/90), London-born, New York-resident Tharoor takes on the Bombay film industry, or "Bellywood," in this tale of a minor government official's son who rises from bit parts to Indian superstardom, then moves on to meet his downfall in the similar if more dangerous game of politics. Ashok's amoral adventures will sound familiar to readers of Hollywood novels--apparently the movie biz is juicily venal no matter what its country of origin--but idiosyncratic cultural differences add a few twists to the parade of cliches. (There's a glossary to help with the unfamiliar vocabulary.) The novel's structure, juxtaposing scripts and character monologs, remains interesting throughout, although much of the writing seems surprisingly precious, especially the humor. The tragic climax works well, even though Tharoor fails to make his self-serving protagonist anything like a sympathetic hero--which may well be his pessimistic point. For popular fiction collections.
-David Bartholomew, NYPL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 301 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing (September 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559701811
• ISBN-13: 978-1559701815
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,096,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a witty look the glamorous world of Indian cinema, June 13, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Show Business: A Novel (Paperback)

Tharoor once again dazzles his reades with a look into the seedy life of Indian moviemaking. He deftly captures the sex, intrigue and all out ridiculousness of the world's largest movie industry. As someonw who has visited India many times, I enjoyed the author's portrayal of the actor's and actresses's charmed life. A great read

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing and enjoyable story of 'fictional' Bollywood star..., August 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Show Business: A Novel (Hardcover)

Whilst reading this book it became obvious to me, at least, that the main character in this novel,Ashok, was based entirely on the real-life Bollywood star, Amitabh Bachchan. It was a satirical look at the Indian film industry and also a look at India itself through the lens of a movie star. Enjoyable and fun, especially if one is a fan of Bollywood films.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable and fun., February 24, 2001

By 

Mr. A. Jehangir - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Show Business: A Novel (Hardcover)

Whilst reading this book it became obvious to me, at least, that parts of this book were based on the life of India's biggest filmstar Amitabh Bachchan. In this book the hero, a famous movie star in the mad world of Bollywood narrates his experiences.The novel is essence a satirical look at the Indian film industry and also a look at India itself through the lens of a movie star. Enjoyable and fun, especially if one is a fan of Bollywood films.