The Elephanta Suite Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I liked this book because, like other books about foreign places I have read, it transported me to an exotic locale that I am unlikely to visit anytime in the near future. I'm not sure if all the insights about Indian people/culture were entirely true or representative of the culture as a whole, nor where the characterizations of Americans as predatory, sexually repressed, or morally reprehensible really valid either. Theroux ties all three novellas together by uniting the characters with a shared purpose; to have a transformative experience in India, to somehow escape the mundanity of their comfortable lives in America by witnessing impoverishment of the masses and/or to gain some sort of spiritual enlightenment. The characters seem to reveal tendencies in themselves that, while dormant in the US, are exposed like a raw wound in India. I was disappointed with the way things were left unresolved, however, I do think the bad characters, by way of karma, got what was coming to them. "

" So far it is very easy reading. It is about a couple in India. But, it doesn't really tell you about India, more it is about the couple's life. I generally his books because they are about travel. More to come as I read. "

" As much as I like reading his travel books,I just don't want to go to where he wrote about.Is he delibaretely beeing negative?True,Elephanta Suite is fiction,nevertheless there is a certain amount of truth here. "

" Three thought-provoking stories about Americans experiencing India. "

" Three novellas about American visitors to India and the disasterous results of their cultural encounters which include sexual exploitation, trickery, mob attacks and murder. The author's writing style is compelling, dark, and mysterious. I didn't like any of the characters but I still wanted to find out what would happen. The endings however seemed contrived in order to be overly disturbing. "

" Terrible. I wasn't too thrilled with the entire plot, which was silly and contrived. Moreover, the interpersonal dialogue was flat and really awkward at times. The only good part about it was the textual illustration of India - or rather the travelogue part. I would advise Theroux stick to travel nonfiction. "

" Theroux's three novellas all took place in India and were all cynical depictions of travelers discovering the country. The last story was the best and I would give that one three stars if it stood alone but collectively I only thought this compilation was "OK". Not my favorite Theroux writing. "

" I knew the background of the book, but I couldn't finish the first story because I was immediately disgusted with the characters' reactions and opinions to India. I don't understand why they would extend their stay in India yet have such bad opinions of everything. "

" Theroux is not...well...cheery, but at its best this reminded me a little of Graham Greene or the best of Somerset Maugham. What happens to folks when they step (or imagine that they can step...or are pushed) out of their normal lives? "

" curious book - interesting, if not too flattering, insights about ex-pats in India "

" Interesting stories woven together by the Elephanta Suite. "

" three novellas about India, and how different westerners react to it. ok, but not theroux's best "

" These were three barely-connected stories set in India. I expected it all to be tied together at the end, but NOOO. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had ever been in India. "

" Frustrating, compelling and offensive. "

" I didn't really like the characters. "

" for the record, I am reading this to see if I am still creeped out by Paul Theroux. So far, the answer is yes, but I am trying to "read fair." "

" I don't know enough about Theroux to know whether this is typical of him, or he's being ironic or critical, but all the pasty white businessmen finding "spiritual salvation" in the arms of poverty-stricken exotic brown vixens turned my stomach. "

" Believe me, the Indian Bureau of Tourism will not be putting this on their Top 10 list. Hardly a likeable character in the book, but some disturbing insights into human nature, and the nature of India today. "

" I love Paul Theroux's travel writing. His travel fiction is worthwhile, too. I enjoyed reading these novellas about Westerners bumbling their way through India. Good summer read for those interested in travel or India. "

" i'd still like to read more of his stuff. extremely perceptive chap. "

" Theroux tends towards the stark reality that third world experiences evoke and this book is no different. Not a read that will lure you to India, but probably an accurate depiction. Not a flattering depiction though. "

" Beautiful prose. Lots of intimacy and spirituality. "

" I liked it. I found it harsh but it also described India as a complex place where you hardly know up from down or right from wrong or 'what's the what'. It was entertaining, perplexing, thought-provoking. Reminded me of my own trips to India and narrow-mindedness at times about the country. "

" Well- written book, but featuring horrid characters. I wanted to reach into the pages and smack the lot of them. "

" I picked this one up because I heard good things about Paul Theroux. This particular book wasn't really my cup of tea. I don't like short story collections and I don't like angst-ridden books about westerners having a hard time adjusting to another culture while travelling. "

" curious book - interesting, if not too flattering, insights about ex-pats in India "

" --Vivid description of the extravaganza of self-deception that is India! "

" 2.33 to be more exact:Monkey hill: 3 starsElephanta Suite: 3 starsThe elephant god: 1 star "

" pretty interesting if you like stories set in India -not for everyone "

" Made it to page 43....and it looked like it would be so good. On to the next one... "