All year I have been waiting for a sprawling maximalist novel I could love, and I finally found it in Rege’s debut. Set in 2014, this book follows three main characters in a landscape of cultural and political upheaval. Naren has recently abandoned a lucrative Wall Street career to return home to India where he sees new economic opportunity. His brother Rohit is eight years younger and determined to seize “the cusp of an era and [to be] at the centre.” Meanwhile, Amanda is an old college friend of Naren’s who, determined to make meaning for herself, nervously accepts a teaching fellowship though she’s barely ever left her country. I love books that get political because they are about people who either care about or are deeply enmeshed in a political moment and Rege does this so well. But the real star here is the knock-out writing that had me highlighting more passages than any other book on this list.

India’s literary novel of the year—an enthralling, award-winning debut from a “blazingly original voice”. I read this novel with tears in both my eyes and really, really you should read this novel, too.

An intriguing look at young people in India coping with politics and life, It suffers regrettably from purple prose and over writing which almost led me to put it aside. That would have been a mistake so if it's affecting you the same way, push through. It's a novel of ideas and idealism as much as it is of characters. Rege has a bright future if she, and her editor, can put a strong hand on the blue pen. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of literary fiction and those interested in India and Hindu nationalism.

I was a bit torn in what to think of this book for so long. All the characters were frustrating but recognizable in different measures. Amanda's fate seemed particularly on the nose and cruel, but I understand what it did for the narrative. This book made me uncomfortable in ways that I admire.

This intense novel highlights the significance of the shifts within people, as well as nations. Despite some Googling, I found it hard to fully gauge the implications of some of the political, social, and religious commentary and I suspect that affected my overall impression of the book. Those better versed in issues pertaining to present day India likely will have a more complex and interesting take on this book. I'm glad a gave it a try, and it certainly showed me how little I truly know.

Thanks to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. Quarterlife brings together the story of three main characters— one returning home to Mumbai, his brother who lives in Mumbai, and their American friend who travels to the city to partake in charity work in the city. This is all at the beginning of the Modi/Bharatiya Era and we see through the characters eye’s what impression this new India leaves and how life changes.

This was a well done, interesting story. I needed to do a bit of personal research in order to get the most out of this book; it is not the author’s responsibility to educate us as readers but, I did feel like additional context was helpful to me as a reader. The author covers a wide variety of heavy topics and at times, it feels like she is trying to say too many things at once. There were definitely sections of this book that I found more propulsive than others and ultimately, I think the writing was very well done and carried the book forward for me more than anything else. I would certainly be interested to read future books by this author and looks forward to seeing what else she puts out.

Ultimately, this book may not have been exactly to my taste but, I am still grateful to have read it. I learned a great deal about modern day India and appreciated the messages shared by the author around the topics of sexism, poverty, caste, etc. I look forward to seeing what other readers think when this is published!

A long sumpsitious novel set in India after the Bharat Party comes to power - an election that divided the country and set a spotlight on the young rising generation of contemporary Indians.

In Quarterlife we meet Naren, who comes home to Mumbai, dissatisfied with his New York life. He brings Amanda, a do-gooder who will embark on a teaching fellowship. They coalesce with Naren's brother Rohit who hopes to hang his star on filmmaking. The three orbit one another and interact with a variety of Indians, continuing with discussions about life and how to live it. It's a hypnotic novel that you never want to end, but it does in a a night of crowds and parties in Mumbai #wwnorton #liveright #quarterlife #devikarege

India - land of mystery, fascination, endless hope and despair. India - with the world's largest population (1.4 billion), and largest “democracy”, where respect as a Global South power player is always just out of reach.

Devika Rege’s engrossing debut novel, “Quarterlife”, does a masterful job of setting the scene for the current attempt. Readers are treated to just the right amount of history covering millenia of Empires, Dynasties, growth of religions, colonialism, alliances, brutal conflict.

It’s 2014 as the Modi/Bharatiya Era has begun, bringing renewed hope. Naren is a Wharton-trained, Wall Street savvy investment banker, committed to returning home to Mumbai to help build the New India. Brother Rohit is a filmmaker willing to take risks and stir the pot. Amanda knows that there is a world beyond her Blueblood New England upbringing and is eager to bring her photographic talents to help a struggling NGO. Together with a diverse cast of complimentary characters, there is a spirit that maybe this time India can succeed.

“Quarterlife” is “a lot of book”, but never dull nor laborious. It is quick-paced, compelling, informative, and dramatic . Rege pulls no punches in describing heart-breaking juxtapositions between abject poverty living side-by-side with lavish opulence. Frank treatments of racism, casteism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, patriarchy, religious intolerance, and general abuse of power are never shied away from.

Could this be the time that a Golden Generation finds a way to succeed in putting India on the road to success? We are left to eternally wonder. India.

“Quarterlife” is a worthy addition to the rich tradition of epic Indian novels. Well done, Devika Rege. We look forward to your future endeavors.

Thank you to Liveright Press and NetGalley for the eARC

A very topical novel about contemporary India. The author's command over language makes it all the more enjoyable. A brilliant work!

Quarterlife is many excellent things: thoughtful, detailed, timely, beautifully written and genuinely moving. Unfortunately it suffers from being overwritten and overworked - it is clear that the author had many things they wanted to say, but often the desire to make a Grand Statement about modern India impedes the organic flow of the narrative. I will happily read this writer’s future works, but this feels like a missed opportunity.