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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Behind the Beautiful Forevers summary
Katherine Boo
Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Slum
16 mins
Brief summary
In Katherine Boo's 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers', we are transported to the slums of Mumbai and introduced to the lives of several families striving to survive and succeed in a harsh environment of corruption, poverty, and inequality.
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Behind the Beautiful Forevers
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Key idea 1 of 9
In the slum of Annawadi, the smallest coincidence can thwart your attempt to make a better life for yourself.
All people have hopes and dreams for the future. This is true even for the inhabitants of the illegal settlement – or slum – of Annawadi, next to Mumbai’s international airport. But their dreams can be shattered by something as simple as a neighborhood disagreement.
Meet the Husain family, who are fairly well off by Annawadian standards, earning up to eleven dollars a day with their garbage business. Their dream is to buy a plot of land on a legal settlement and build a new home. In fact, they have already paid a deposit for a plot.
But then, one day as they are renovating their home, the Husains accidentally shake a brick wall that they share with a mentally unstable neighbor, Fatima. The only damage is some rubble falling into a pot of rice Fatima happens to be cooking, but since she is jealous of the Husains’ “wealth,” she claims her home has been destroyed and demands compensation.
The Husains’ refusal sends Fatima into such a rage that she sets herself on fire. At the hospital, she receives grossly inadequate treatment for her burns and subsequently dies.
The tragedy is further compounded when several members of the Husain household are arrested and falsely charged with the murder of their neighbor.
Now the Husains begin to see their meager savings disappear.
First, since the local justice system is wholly corrupt, they need to pay various bribes.
Second, the neighbors are also aware of the Husains’ supposed wealth, so they demand payment from them just to tell the police the truth about what happened.
Third, when the Husains are jailed before their trial, they lose their income because they can no longer work.
Fourth, they have to sell a part of their original hut to pay their lawyers, further hurting their garbage business.
And finally, since they cannot afford to buy the new plot of land for which they’d paid a deposit, it is sold to another family. The Husains are not reimbursed.
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What is Behind the Beautiful Forevers about?
Behind the Beautiful Forevers describes life in the Annawadi slum in India, close to Mumbai’s international airport. These blinks tell the story of families who live in squalid conditions but still dream of a better life, even though the odds are overwhelmingly against them.
Behind the Beautiful Forevers Review
Behind the Beautiful Forevers (2012) by Katherine Boo sheds light on the harsh realities of life in a Mumbai slum and the resilience of its residents. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a gripping portrayal of poverty and inequality, exposing the hardships faced by the people living in the Annawadi slum.
- By diving deep into the lives of its characters, the book humanizes poverty and provides a nuanced understanding of the complex social dynamics at play.
- Boo's meticulous research and immersive storytelling create a deeply impactful narrative, making the book anything but boring.
Best quote from Behind the Beautiful Forevers
The Indian criminal justice system was a market like garbage, Abdul now understood. Innocence and guilt could be bought and sold like a kilo of polyurethane bags.
—Katherine Boo
Who should read Behind the Beautiful Forevers?
- Anyone who wants to know about life in the slums of Mumbai
- Anyone who liked the movie Slumdog Millionaire
- Anyone who wants to understand the damage caused by corruption
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Behind the Beautiful Forevers FAQs
What is the main message of Behind the Beautiful Forevers?
The main message of Behind the Beautiful Forevers is a powerful exploration of poverty, inequality, and the strength of the human spirit.
How long does it take to read Behind the Beautiful Forevers?
The reading time for Behind the Beautiful Forevers varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Behind the Beautiful Forevers a good book? Is it worth reading?
Behind the Beautiful Forevers is worth reading for its raw honesty and compassionate portrayal of life in an Indian slum, offering valuable insights into social and economic issues.
Who is the author of Behind the Beautiful Forevers?
The author of Behind the Beautiful Forevers is Katherine Boo.
What to read after Behind the Beautiful Forevers?
If you're wondering what to read next after Behind the Beautiful Forevers, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
- Zucked by Roger McNamee
- No Ego by Cy Wakeman
- Say Nothing by Patrick Keefe
- The Art of SEO by Eric Enge
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Upside of Your Dark Side by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener
- Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
- Negotiation Made Simple by John Lowry
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman