Description
“Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity” is a non-fiction book written by American journalist Katherine Boo. The book was published in 2012 and is a work of narrative non-fiction that offers an intimate and in-depth look into the lives of the residents of Annawadi, a slum located near the Mumbai airport in India.
The book is the result of several years of immersive reporting by Katherine Boo, who spent time living in the slum and closely following the lives of the people who call Annawadi their home. Boo’s reporting is based on extensive interviews, observations, and research, and she paints a vivid and often harrowing portrait of the challenges, aspirations, and resilience of the slum’s residents.
“Behind the Beautiful Forevers” explores themes such as poverty, inequality, corruption, and the pursuit of a better life in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It delves into the lives of a range of characters, including Abdul, a young garbage sorter, Asha, a politically ambitious woman, and Manju, a college student aspiring to escape the slum.
The title “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” alludes to the stark contrast between the shiny, modern developments near the airport, referred to as the “beautiful forevers,” and the grim realities of life in Annawadi, which remains hidden from the view of the wealthier residents and travelers passing through the area.
The book received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and its unflinching examination of the lives of the urban poor in India. It won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2012 and was widely praised for its deep empathy and the author’s dedication to presenting the voices and experiences of the people she wrote about.
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