Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece - a poem of life!
Review: One of the most common factors that binds people is a common language. Mr.Seth's book is written in the universal language of human emotions, and that is what makes reading this book, an experience of life by itself.Another thought-provoking entity is the idealism skilfully woven into the story. It strikes a parallel with Elizabeth B Browning's 'Aurora Leigh' where the main protagonist addresses issues related to an individual's freedom and role in society, making one feel that idealism is an inseparable part of all great poetry. The anxieties and meaninglessness felt by the software professionals with respect to their jobs, in the book does, to some extent echo the feelings of software professionals of the present day. As an electronics engineer currently employed in the IT industry, I could easily comprehend and relate to the thoughts expressed in the book, written nearly 13 years ago. The humour in parts of the book makes it an absolute delight. In short, a great modern classic that is more than a book - It's (literally) a poem of life!
Rating:
Summary: A versified slice of modern life
Review: One of the most common things that links people together is a common language. 'The Golden Gate' is written in the universal language of human emotions, and reading this book is an experience of life in current times. Acclaimed to be a typical Californian novel when first published in 1986, the settings and characters easily fit modern youth in almost every part of the developed world. Above all, the book bears the warmth and touch of humanity that identifies Mr.Seth's inimitable style of writing. The plot is simple and straightforward, lucidly composed in a sequence of sonnets - The main protagonist John is a successful and lonely engineer. His one-time girlfriend Janet places an ad in a personal column on his behalf and through it, John meets Liz Dorati, a lawyer. An instant attraction brings them together, and they set up home only to drift apart due to opposing views on politics and social ethics, the process accelerated by John's hatred of Liz's cat Charlemagne. John's colleague Phil who forsakes a lucrative job to keep up with his anti-nuclear principles forms another thread of the story, and reflects the changing face of modern youth, concerned about the world and threats to the environment. The affair between Phil and Liz's brother Ed is depicted in a poignant manner that makes the reader feel sympathetic, rather than repelled, such relationships being forbidden in many sections of society even today. Ed's religious beliefs cause him to break up with Phil, and the arguments between the two vividly portray changing values and morals, and the confused state of today's youth in a world that is as transient as their views. In a surprising turn of events, Phil and Liz get married, while John tries to cushion his jilted pride in wine and women and the story goes on with a few more twists and turns to a sad and sentimental finish. The disastrous consequences of nuclear weapons is driven home albeit in a refreshing manner. The book makes one reflect about the current trends observed in society regarding life, the world, relationships, family, friends, love and much more. In this respect, it strikes a parallel with Elizabeth B Browning's brilliant classic 'Aurora Leigh' where the main protagonist questions an individual's freedom and role in society, making one feel that idealism is an integral part of all great poetry. The verse and the story support each other, and the sequence of sonnets enhances the flow, rather than hamper it. A variety of topics ranging from the healthiest diet for a pet iguana, the method of pickling olives, to an invocation to St.Francis are handled with equal veracity. The characters speak in ordinary language that makes it easy to identify with them. The humour woven into the book makes it an absolute delight, and reveals a tongue-in-cheek satirist who perceives the comical angle in even the most tension-ridden situation. Mr.Seth makes his presence felt, subtly and otherwise in each sonnet and one gets the feeling of having taken a fascinating journey along with him, a feeling that persists long after the book is finished. In one stanza, he mentions that he was inspired to write this book after reading Charles Johnston's translation of Pushkin's 'Eugene Onegin', and fervently recommends it to the reader - It would hardly come as a surprise if 'The Golden Gate' inspires an author (or more) to create another masterpiece as a tribute. History as we know has long had a tradition of repeating itself...
Rating:
Summary: A versified slice of modern life
Review: One of the most common things that links people together is a common language. `The Golden Gate' is written in the universal language of human emotions, and reading this book is an experience of life in current times. Acclaimed to be a typical Californian novel when first published in 1986, the settings and characters easily fit modern youth in almost every part of the developed world. Above all, the book bears the warmth and touch of humanity that identifies Mr.Seth's inimitable style of writing. The plot is simple and straightforward, lucidly composed in a sequence of sonnets - The main protagonist John is a successful and lonely engineer. His one-time girlfriend Janet places an ad in a personal column on his behalf and through it, John meets Liz Dorati, a lawyer. An instant attraction brings them together, and they set up home only to drift apart due to opposing views on politics and social ethics, the process accelerated by John's hatred of Liz's cat Charlemagne. John's colleague Phil who forsakes a lucrative job to keep up with his anti-nuclear principles forms another thread of the story, and reflects the changing face of modern youth, concerned about the world and threats to the environment. The affair between Phil and Liz's brother Ed is depicted in a poignant manner that makes the reader feel sympathetic, rather than repelled, such relationships being forbidden in many sections of society even today. Ed's religious beliefs cause him to break up with Phil, and the arguments between the two vividly portray changing values and morals, and the confused state of today's youth in a world that is as transient as their views. In a surprising turn of events, Phil and Liz get married, while John tries to cushion his jilted pride in wine and women and the story goes on with a few more twists and turns to a sad and sentimental finish. The disastrous consequences of nuclear weapons is driven home albeit in a refreshing manner. The book makes one reflect about the current trends observed in society regarding life, the world, relationships, family, friends, love and much more. In this respect, it strikes a parallel with Elizabeth B Browning's brilliant classic `Aurora Leigh' where the main protagonist questions an individual's freedom and role in society, making one feel that idealism is an integral part of all great poetry. The verse and the story support each other, and the sequence of sonnets enhances the flow, rather than hamper it. A variety of topics ranging from the healthiest diet for a pet iguana, the method of pickling olives, to an invocation to St.Francis are handled with equal veracity. The characters speak in ordinary language that makes it easy to identify with them. The humour woven into the book makes it an absolute delight, and reveals a tongue-in-cheek satirist who perceives the comical angle in even the most tension-ridden situation. Mr.Seth makes his presence felt, subtly and otherwise in each sonnet and one gets the feeling of having taken a fascinating journey along with him, a feeling that persists long after the book is finished. In one stanza, he mentions that he was inspired to write this book after reading Charles Johnston's translation of Pushkin's `Eugene Onegin', and fervently recommends it to the reader - It would hardly come as a surprise if `The Golden Gate' inspires an author (or more) to create another masterpiece as a tribute. History as we know has long had a tradition of repeating itself...
Rating:
Summary: This book is a manifestation of true poetic Craftsmanship
Review: Picking up a book like "The Golden Gate" can be quite a turn off for the traditional novel reader. However, it came as a pleasant surprise when Seth's masterpiece surpassed all literature I had read in the near past. Sonnet after sonnet and one controlled emotion after another, Vikram Seth is more than a writer - he is an invisible omniscience throughout the reading. Although, much in the novel is left to personal opinion and speculation, the options before the reader are as many as two steps to the right or the left of the intended effect. Starting off with neutrality and working his way into the emotional touch that has often defined Indin writing, Vikram Seth gives no reason for the reader to believe that there is an Indian hand behind the book. While bringing in poetic structure common to the Romantics and to the likes of Shakespeare, the language is simple, often slang and in no sense phrased in the manner Keats or Wordsworth might have put it. There is hardly more to say than "the book is a success and has become as much a part of growing up as is Enid Blyton or Shakespeare"
Rating: 
Summary: Stars for style and originality only
Review: Probably through my own ignorance, this is the only modern novel I have read which was composed in verse. For that reason alone, the novel had considerable curiosity value for me. The style is accomplished, and at times witty, and it kept my attention to the extent that I didn't struggle with or become irritated by it. But that, I'm afraid, is it. The story itself read like a verse version of Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City", apart from the fact that the characters were just about wholly two-dimensional. I was left not caring in the slightest about them or what happened to them. To be fair, reading the novel some 15 years after it first appeared was probably not the best thing to do: it's 1980s style felt very dated now - for example, I confess to finding characters who keep exotic pets (iguanas in this case) utterly irritating rather than quaint, interesting or avant-garde. Times and tastes move on. Not a book I will return to.
Rating:
Summary: memorable, witty, funny and an enjoyable plot ;a great book.
Review: Really very funny, worth any money. In double quick time will have you thinking in rhyme.
Rating:
Summary: San Francisco comes alive..........
Review: San Francisco definitely comes alive in this novel in verse. After studying this truly remarkable city myself over the last two years , I realize how vividly he has captured the people and the places in this city - especially its "yuppiness" which I feel has only multiplied since the books writing.
The story is about an educated,hip typically San Franciscan circle of friends and their highly entangled love affairs. It sometimes digresses into preaching about nuclear arms and its dangers but I guess it is justified as these issued were far more relevant in the 80s than now. The entire book - 300 pages or so written in delightfully rhyming verses is a pleasure to read and is extremely difficult to put down. I was afraid of missing some cleverly constructed rhymes the first time because of my eagerness to find out what happens next. This book deserves to be read twice to truly understand how good it is........
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Genius!
Review: Seth's creativity is amazing. The novel is touching as the web of the lives of the characters unfolds. Seth has an incredible ability to make you feel the emotions of each person. His use of verse adds another dimesion to the enjoyment. A must read!
Rating: 
Summary: A book of mixed merit
Review: Technically, this book is excellent. The poetry is extremely well done, the characters are well-drawn, and the pacing is just right. The story itself, however, is one I can't imagine tolerating in prose. It could be described as 'Musical Beds.' It's a rather bleak tale in which a collection of people with no concept of sexual morality worth discussing fall into and out of each other's beds in succession in a desperate attempt to bring meaning to their lives. Believably and realistically, this procedure doesn't work very well for the characters in the story. My problem is that I wanted to read a different story. 'Musical Beds' just doesn't hold my interest.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, touching and brilliant
Review: The first page always reminds me of the Paul Simon song, "Call me Al". If that's not enough to hook you, I don't know what is. =)
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