
Rich and enthralling, Age Of Vice is a staggering literary thriller, set by Deepti Kapoor in contemporary India. Centred around the wealthy Wadia family and their criminal activities, the novel is narrated from the perspective of Sunny Wadia, his love interest Neda and his servant Ajay. By introducing them into his life, Sunny involuntarily leads them into a world of corruption, violence, power and desire where they must navigate various obstacles during two decades in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.
Featuring a lengthy cast of characters whose lives are connected but also polarised by poverty and wealth, Age Of Vice is action-packed to boot, with a new turn of events with the turn of each page. Described as the Indian equivalent to The Godfather by some, I also found it reminiscent of Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance, and it’s not surprising that a television adaptation is planned for this extremely accomplished piece of fiction.
This sublime book has set a high standard: a nice problem to have, this, but my first read of 2023 may prove to be my best of the year. As the first of a planned trilogy, I’m also looking forward to Kapoor’s next instalment.
Age Of Vice, Deepti Kapoor (Fleet)
Price: £20/£21.99 audiobook. Info: here
words RHIANON HOLLEY
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