Slumdog Millionaire (originally titled Q & A) by Vikas Swarup is the rags-to-riches story of Ram Mohammad Thomas, an orphaned Indian teenager from Mumbai’s slums who unexpectedly wins a massive prize on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Arrested on suspicion of cheating, Ram recounts the life experiences behind each trivia question, revealing a series of dramatic and often harrowing stories from his upbringing. Themes of perseverance, courage, and the true meaning of intelligence are woven through his journey, which includes encounters with mentors, childhood friends, harsh realities of poverty, and eventual love and redemption. The novel offers a richly textured portrait of contemporary India, distinct in plot and character from its acclaimed 2008 film adaptation.
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