The City of Joy

( 5 )

Overview

Made into a movie starring Patrick Swayze, this is the inspiring story of an American doctor who experienced a spiritual rebirth in an impoverished section of Calcutta.

Lapierre creates a searing vision of the struggle for survival and the social and cultural practices of a ghetto in Calcutta.

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More About This Book

Overview

Made into a movie starring Patrick Swayze, this is the inspiring story of an American doctor who experienced a spiritual rebirth in an impoverished section of Calcutta.

Lapierre creates a searing vision of the struggle for survival and the social and cultural practices of a ghetto in Calcutta.

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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
What irony that one of Calcutta's most devastating slums should be known as Anand Nagar, ``the City of Joy.'' By interweaving impressionistic glimpses from the lives of a French priest, a rickshaw driver, and an American doctor, Lapierre creates a searing vision of the struggle for survival, the flashing violence, and the social and cultural practices of the slum. His theme that from human misery can emerge joy might seem to some readers as a bogus acceptance of a terrible evil. Yet Lapierre's narrative slides skillfully in and out of both history and fiction to create an effective but horrible montage of disease, death, and destruction amid elements of charity, hope, and love. The City of Joy should elicit strong reactions from readers. BOMC and Quality Paperback Book Club alternates. John F. Riddick, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780446355568
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • Publication date: 7/28/1988
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Edition description: REISSUE
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 552
  • Sales rank: 174009
  • Product dimensions: 4.12 (w) x 6.75 (h) x 1.32 (d)

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 5 )
Rating Distribution

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(1)

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  • Posted Mon Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2008

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time
    City of Joy
    A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
    Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle against World Poverty
    A Fine Balance

    Amazing!

    Read this book. You won't complain about things for a long time. The epilogue is particularly touching because you learn about what people were inspired to do after reading this book! I recommend it to everyone!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sat May 09 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    Shantaram

    An inspiring true-life story that brings India alive

    This book may not make you want to travel to India but if you don't, this is the closest thing to the real experience that you'll find. The lives of the characters, their emotions and day-to-day routines get you into the mindset of Calcutta slum residents. Two of my daughters traveled to India and what they described seeing there exactly mirrors what I read in this book so I know it is accurate. Lapierre will inspire you to want to help the Indian people.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 24 00:00:00 EST 2001

    effecting to the core

    I HAVE NEVER READ A BOOK WITH AS MUCH EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON ME. I WISH EVERYONE WOULD READ THIS BOOK. YOU CANT HELP BUT HAVE A SOCIAL CONSCIOUNCE AFTER READING THIS.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Oct 06 00:00:00 EDT 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Jan 19 00:00:00 EST 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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