Literary · Historical · Family saga
A Suitable Boy
In newly independent India of the early 1950s, Mrs Rupa Mehra is determined to find a husband for her daughter Lata. Four families and a first general election form the backdrop to a huge social novel.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1993
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 1785
- Format
- Book 1 of 1 in A Bridge of Leaves
Read this if you have time for an immersive, Victorian-style doorstop of Indian family life.
Skip this if you want a quick read, since it runs close to 1,500 pages in most editions.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about A Suitable Boy
- What is A Suitable Boy about?
- In newly independent India of the early 1950s, Mrs Rupa Mehra is determined to find a husband for her daughter Lata. Four families and a first general election form the backdrop to a huge social novel.
- Who should read A Suitable Boy?
- Read it if you have time for an immersive, Victorian-style doorstop of Indian family life. Skip it if you want a quick read, since it runs close to 1,500 pages in most editions.
- How long and how fast is A Suitable Boy?
- It is a slow-paced, long read of about 1785 pages, first published in 1993.
- Does A Suitable Boy have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Prejudice.
- Can I borrow A Suitable Boy for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends A Suitable Boy; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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