I found this book at the library. It was copyrighted in 2004; the trade paperback was re-issued by Random House in 2012, the same year the movie was released.
Genre: Humor / Satire
Book Length: 320 Pages (trade paperback)
Amazon Link: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Author Website: Deborah Moggach
Book Beginning (Each chapter starts with a quote):
The Truth will set you free. - Swami Purna
Muriel Donnelly, an old girl in her seventies, was left in a hospital cubicle for forty-eight hours. She had taken a tumble in Peckham High Street and was admitted with cuts, bruises, and suspected concussion. Two days she lay in A&E, untended, the blood stiffening on her clothes.
It made the headlines. TWO DAYS! screamed the tabloids. Two days on a trolley, old, neglected, alone. St. Jude's was besieged by reporters, waylaying nurses and shouting into their mobiles, didn't they know the things were forbidden? Photos showed her lolling gray head and black eye. Plucky pensioner, she had survived the Blitz for this? Her image was beamed around the country: Muriel Donnelly, the latest victim of a collapsing NHS, the latest shocking statistic showing that the British health system, once the best in the world, was disintegrating in a welter of underfunding, staff shortages and collapsing morale.
The Friday 56 (from Page 156 - trade paperback edition):
As it turned out, the minibus broke down on the journey home. It had taken a while to repair, apparently with a length of twine donated by a roadside coconut-seller, and they were late for dinner. Plus, Madge had lost her sunglasses.
Synopsis:
When Ravi Kapoor, an overworked London doctor, reaches the breaking point with his difficult father-in-law, he asks his wife: “Can’t we just send him away somewhere? Somewhere far, far away.” His prayer is seemingly answered when Ravi’s entrepreneurial cousin sets up a retirement home in India, hoping to re-create in Bangalore an elegant lost corner of England. Several retirees are enticed by the promise of indulgent living at a bargain price, but upon arriving, they are dismayed to find that restoration of the once sophisticated hotel has stalled, and that such amenities as water and electricity are . . . infrequent. But what their new life lacks in luxury, they come to find, it’s plentiful in adventure, stunning beauty, and unexpected love.
The book is better than the movie? I liked the movie pretty well, so I think I'll look for this.
ReplyDeleteThe book went deeper into the characters, which is why I enjoyed it more than the movie.
DeleteI've heard of this one before, but I just never got around to actually reading it. It does seem interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun story.
DeleteI absolutely loved the movie and have put off reading the book because I don't want the movie love diminished. I know I'll get to it some day!
ReplyDeleteIf I read a book after I've seen the movie, I envision the movie stars as the book's characters.
DeleteI also loved the movie. I keep meaning to read the book though, I'm sure it is better. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy Friday Book is Faithful , by Alice Hoffman.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
DeleteI haven't seen the movie yet. I'd like to read the book and then watch it.
ReplyDeleteMy Friday 56 from Chasing Fireflies
I hope you enjoy them both.
DeleteI haven't read the book, but I enjoyed the movie. The first one, anyway. I haven't seen the second.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and I might have to look for the book. Here's mine: “THE FUTURES”
I haven't seen the second one either. Should add it to my Netflix queue.
DeleteI didn't know there was a book either. I have loved both of these films and own them to watch now and again. The actors are wonderful and the images of that part of India
ReplyDeleteI think I enjoyed the book so much because it gave the back story of some of the characters.
DeleteI loved both books and films! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by... and for hosting The Friday 56.
DeleteI loved the movie - I had no idea it was based on a book! I may have to try it!
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
I came across the book at the library. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known it was from a book either.
DeleteHi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this film, although I did know that it was based on a book, which I'm afraid I haven't read either, although it is very popular and always sells quickly when I have a copy on the shelves.
Mind you with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith heading an all star cast, I should think that the film must be pretty spectacular.
Happy Reading and have a good weekend :)
Yvonne
I agree with you about Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. Excellent actresses. They portrayed their characters beautifully.
DeleteI've been wanting to see the movie but had no idea it was based on the book! I'm definitely intrigued by the teasers and the blurb and will have to get a copy before I watch the movie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this week's book.
ReplyDeleteENJOY the weekend.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Book Beginnings
Suddenly, Blogspot won't let me reply to comments!
ReplyDeleteI've heard really good things about the movie based on this book. Hope you enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat 56!
ReplyDeleteWhat an oversight on my part. This would make a great addition to my list of Midlife Fiction. Plus I saw the movie but never read it. Will look for it at my library. Thanks! Here's my Midlife Fiction list for anyone who's interested: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LynneSpreenAuthor/photos/?tab=album&album_id=767202190051440
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list, Lynne. I've read some of these books and will look for the others.
DeleteI haven't seen the movie or read the book. Sounds like my "cup of tea."
ReplyDeleteIf the book is better then the movie, it must be an amazing book! Thanks for visiting my blog! I hope your readers will as well. http://tinyurl.com/LisaKsBookReviewsBDS
ReplyDeleteSeems to be popular! I just might have to look into it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend!
I loved both of these movies! I had no idea it was a book. That's great to know!
ReplyDeleteWhen I came across the book in the library, I was surprised, too.
Delete