Publication
Vintage, c2004
Status
Available
Description
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:Now a major motion picture starring Jude Dench, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Tom Wilkinson, and Maggie Smith. 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 sophisiticated 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 u… (more)
Media reviews
Savista Magazine
To be honest, I’d never heard of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (or even These Foolish Things as it was originally titled) until Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and a whole host of other famous faces made it a big screen success. Of course, with a cast like that failure isn’t really an
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option, but would the book live up to my high expectations after belly laughing my way through the movie?
The good news is the paper version is sufficiently different to the screenplay that you don’t feel like they’re reinventing the wheel. But the basis of the story is the same; a group of seventy-somethings who up sticks and leave the UK to spend their twilight years at the ultimate retirement home – the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in Bangalore, Southern India. This overseas retreat might not quite live up to the OAP oasis its guests expect; but as their tales unfold and begin to intertwine, they each discover a very individual affection for their new found home and the people they encounter there.
Take Norman Purse, the very definition of a dirty old man. Thrown out of countless residential homes for inappropriate behaviour he is the inspiration behind the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, set up by his long suffering son in law Ravi and Ravi’s cousin Sonny. Then there’s Evelyn Greenslade, a rather timid widow who has barely made a decision in her life – until now that is. Dotty Dorothy Miller, who was born and brought up in India, and Jean and Douglas Ainslie, a ‘happily’ married couple who thrive on adventure. Last but by no means least, Muriel Donnelly; one of the Marigold’s most unlikely residents. Her aversion to ‘darkies’ isn’t quite as deep routed as her conviction that India will lead her to Keith - the prodigal son, on the run after some dodgy dealings went wrong.
Add a few more eccentric characters to the mix, a pinch of sadness, a good helping of humour and a love interest or two and hey presto –you‘ve got yourself a winner. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
I don't go to many movies- we might watch one movie a month at home, but generally only grace the local theater once a year. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith together were enough of a draw for us to attend the afternoon matinee last week to see "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" - a marvelous, well-acted,
The story basically portrays the lives and losses of a group of English elders: widows and widowers, divorcees, singles, and a well-traveled couple. For various reasons, most of them economic, these folk have decided (or their less than caring off-spring decided for them) that they can no longer afford to stay in Merry Old England, and accept the offer to move to a new retirement community in India (well after all, they speak English there!) billed as the Best EXOTIC Marigold Hotel.
The Marigold can best be described as a dowager empress....good bone structure, but the skin is sagging, and the bones are creaking. Each of the emigres brings a unique set of expectations, and is dealing with singular losses. How they handle the enormous changes and adapt themselves to a new culture, new food, lack of the plumbing, transportation, and energy standards to which they were accustomed at home, is portrayed with empathy, gentleness and wonderful respect for aging human beings. They eventually form a family unit as they muddle their way through their unexpected difficulties, and expand that family to include new friends from the Indian community.
It's a lovely book, an affirming story that helps us realize that "we're not getting older, we're getting better" and that the model of a society where all the generations live together and the elderly are esteemed and cared for is one much to be coveted.
Do go see the movie if you have a chance, and read the book too. They're different enough that one doesn't impinge on the other. They are distinct and delightful.
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uproariously funny movie that showed us the best and the worst of aging. It was so well done, and so enjoyable that I immediately went on the hunt for Deborah Maggoch's original novel that was the basis for the screenplay. It was not easy to find, but I did locate it for my Kindle, and had an even more enjoyable experience reading the novel.The story basically portrays the lives and losses of a group of English elders: widows and widowers, divorcees, singles, and a well-traveled couple. For various reasons, most of them economic, these folk have decided (or their less than caring off-spring decided for them) that they can no longer afford to stay in Merry Old England, and accept the offer to move to a new retirement community in India (well after all, they speak English there!) billed as the Best EXOTIC Marigold Hotel.
The Marigold can best be described as a dowager empress....good bone structure, but the skin is sagging, and the bones are creaking. Each of the emigres brings a unique set of expectations, and is dealing with singular losses. How they handle the enormous changes and adapt themselves to a new culture, new food, lack of the plumbing, transportation, and energy standards to which they were accustomed at home, is portrayed with empathy, gentleness and wonderful respect for aging human beings. They eventually form a family unit as they muddle their way through their unexpected difficulties, and expand that family to include new friends from the Indian community.
It's a lovely book, an affirming story that helps us realize that "we're not getting older, we're getting better" and that the model of a society where all the generations live together and the elderly are esteemed and cared for is one much to be coveted.
Do go see the movie if you have a chance, and read the book too. They're different enough that one doesn't impinge on the other. They are distinct and delightful.
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LibraryThing member SmithSJ01
A very different book to what I had expected. I thought it was going to be a light-hearted comedy when in fact, it’s much more. I loved all of the characters, feeling they were a good representation either of their gender, age or nationality. The novel opens with Ravi, born in India but lived in
Slowly, we are introduced to all the characters who eventually come to stay Dunroamin (play on words from ‘done roaming’). We hear their stories about why they got there and about their family lives. Some of the stories are brutally honest and seem to be representative of the aged today. Their initial fears of moving to India and also their prejudices are eventually put to one side as they realise one culture is not that different to another. Wonderfully written with superb narrative and characterisations, there are definite highlights and lowlights to retiring to a residential home but moving to another country was not one of the lowlights. It had an effect on all of the residents, making them evaluate their lives and what was important to them. I got to the end of novel having felt happy and sad – all the signs of a good writer to instil emotions in their reader.
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London having trained as a doctor. His wife Pauline has the patience of a saint where her father, Norman, is concerned. Norman is once more living with them, having been asked to leave yet another residential home. This is to Ravi’s disgust and is having a detrimental effect on his marriage. One evening his cousin Sonny is visiting London on business and Ravi unburdens himself. It is at this point that Sonny hits on the idea to build a residential home in Bangalore, India. The plan comes through and Norman is the first resident. Slowly, we are introduced to all the characters who eventually come to stay Dunroamin (play on words from ‘done roaming’). We hear their stories about why they got there and about their family lives. Some of the stories are brutally honest and seem to be representative of the aged today. Their initial fears of moving to India and also their prejudices are eventually put to one side as they realise one culture is not that different to another. Wonderfully written with superb narrative and characterisations, there are definite highlights and lowlights to retiring to a residential home but moving to another country was not one of the lowlights. It had an effect on all of the residents, making them evaluate their lives and what was important to them. I got to the end of novel having felt happy and sad – all the signs of a good writer to instil emotions in their reader.
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LibraryThing member PermaSwooned
Like several other reviewers, I saw the movie and loved it and then decided I needed to read the book. This is a story that was changed IMMENSELY from the book, unfortunately. I thought the movie was wonderful, but could barely recognize most of the characters when I read the novel. Perhaps I might
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have enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the movie, but that spoiled it for me. The writing was fine, so I gave it 3 stars anyway. Show Less
LibraryThing member jayne_charles
An excellent examination of the business of growing old this highly original tale centres around a retirement home set up in Bangalore with the intention of attracting British pensioners We are introduced to a variety of characters, from the Indian operators of the home to the incoming residents
As the new arrivals touch down on Indian soil the plot takes a breather. At that point I fet there was no plot hook, nothing specific to force the reader to read on, beyond an interest in the characters and the way they are likely to react to eachother and their new environment.
Fortunately this is what Deborah Moggach does best - the development of fascinating characters through sharp and witty observation ('Look at that Mrs Greenslade, a vision in beige, so well mannered she hardly existed any more....'). There are so many of them clamouring for our attention; if anything the book was too short to accommodate them all - expand it a bit and we would have had more time to enjoy the individual stories branching off the main 'trunk' of the story. This said, everything was resolved with the help of some hectic head-hopping as the book headed for its conclusion
A jolly good read, as always from Deborah Moggach. She writes the sort of lively character-based fiction that Kate Atkinson writes with such commercial success, and she has been doing it for years and years.
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and their offspring - ranging from the unscrupulous to the exasperated - who are prepared to export their ageing parents halfway across the globeAs the new arrivals touch down on Indian soil the plot takes a breather. At that point I fet there was no plot hook, nothing specific to force the reader to read on, beyond an interest in the characters and the way they are likely to react to eachother and their new environment.
Fortunately this is what Deborah Moggach does best - the development of fascinating characters through sharp and witty observation ('Look at that Mrs Greenslade, a vision in beige, so well mannered she hardly existed any more....'). There are so many of them clamouring for our attention; if anything the book was too short to accommodate them all - expand it a bit and we would have had more time to enjoy the individual stories branching off the main 'trunk' of the story. This said, everything was resolved with the help of some hectic head-hopping as the book headed for its conclusion
A jolly good read, as always from Deborah Moggach. She writes the sort of lively character-based fiction that Kate Atkinson writes with such commercial success, and she has been doing it for years and years.
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LibraryThing member eastonanni
Excellent humour. English old peoples home in Bangalore
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
Recently filmed under the title "The Best Exotic marigold Hotel" this utterly charming novel tells of the experience of a group of British pensioners who chose to move to a retirement home in Bangalore, lured by the promise of warmer weather and an economy in which their dwindling pensions would go
The characters are all marvellously drawn, especially the rakish Norman Purse, and their adventures (or misadventures) are most entertaining.
I am now looking forward to seeing the film.
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much further than was happening back in Britain.The characters are all marvellously drawn, especially the rakish Norman Purse, and their adventures (or misadventures) are most entertaining.
I am now looking forward to seeing the film.
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LibraryThing member wbwilburn5
Wonderful book. So insightful about relationships, the things we do say, the things we should say and the things we don't say. She captures the British psyche so honestly.
LibraryThing member SandDune
I struggled to decide what I finally thought of this book. Initially I didn't like it very much at all: the characters seemed stereotypes and their situations didn't seem altogether believable, and at the beginning the book jumped around introducing one character after another at some depth so that
Ravi's father-in-law Norman is the bane of his life: blacklisted at all the local care homes for his lecherous attention to the female staff, he is once more living with Ravi and his wife Pauline in London. After he accidentally sets fire to their kitchen, Ravi pours out his troubles to his cousin Suni, a businessman on a visit from his home in India, who comes up with a solution to Ravi's problem and a idea for a new money spinning venture at the same time. Why not outsource the old people of England to India: Indian prices would be so much cheaper that their retirement savings would pay for a much better standard of living. The perfect venue is found: The Exotic Marigold Hotel, a slightly run- down establishment which is reminiscent of the last days of the British Raj. The old people are collected: Norman himself; Evelyn a self-effacing woman lost in the modern world without her husband; Dorothy, an ex BBC producer who was respected but not much liked in her profession life; Muriel, a working class woman from Peckham who lives for her son Keith; and several more. All are transplanted to India, where as seems usual in this sort of book about India, they undergo various transformations as they find their true selves in the community of the hotel. And that's one of the reasons that the book falls down for me: I'm not a great believer in a change of country being a huge life-transforming experience - the people themselves are still the same. Those who make a success of retiring abroad always seem the ones who were reasonably happy in the UK anyway - unhappy people generally take their unhappiness with them. Certainly with the film of the same name I get the impression that you were supposed to come away with a lovely fuzzy warm feeling, which I didn't get from the book.
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I seemed to lose track of the earlier ones. However, it did grow on me halfway through. I listened to this as an audiobook and I think it would have been better read: I'd have probably read it more quickly and enjoyed it more.Ravi's father-in-law Norman is the bane of his life: blacklisted at all the local care homes for his lecherous attention to the female staff, he is once more living with Ravi and his wife Pauline in London. After he accidentally sets fire to their kitchen, Ravi pours out his troubles to his cousin Suni, a businessman on a visit from his home in India, who comes up with a solution to Ravi's problem and a idea for a new money spinning venture at the same time. Why not outsource the old people of England to India: Indian prices would be so much cheaper that their retirement savings would pay for a much better standard of living. The perfect venue is found: The Exotic Marigold Hotel, a slightly run- down establishment which is reminiscent of the last days of the British Raj. The old people are collected: Norman himself; Evelyn a self-effacing woman lost in the modern world without her husband; Dorothy, an ex BBC producer who was respected but not much liked in her profession life; Muriel, a working class woman from Peckham who lives for her son Keith; and several more. All are transplanted to India, where as seems usual in this sort of book about India, they undergo various transformations as they find their true selves in the community of the hotel. And that's one of the reasons that the book falls down for me: I'm not a great believer in a change of country being a huge life-transforming experience - the people themselves are still the same. Those who make a success of retiring abroad always seem the ones who were reasonably happy in the UK anyway - unhappy people generally take their unhappiness with them. Certainly with the film of the same name I get the impression that you were supposed to come away with a lovely fuzzy warm feeling, which I didn't get from the book.
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LibraryThing member namaste374
Disappointing given that the film was so good. it was very different.
LibraryThing member knitwit2
Wonderful funny characters. There may have been too many characters for such a short book. I would have liked to have seen the characters develop more fully. Dororthy was funny with her serious retired careeer woman demeanor, Muriel with her unabashed bigotry, and Evelyn a sweet wish-she-was-my
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mother type were my favorites. There was the over sexed gentleman who meets his end with a transvestite, and the couple with the "perfect/not-so perfect life ( gay/closetted son). Can't wait for the movie! Show Less
LibraryThing member Maydacat
It’s not often that I will say that a movie is better than the book it is based on, that is the case with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. The flavor of India is better depicted in the visual medium, and the relationships between the characters seem to be better developed and understood. The
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excellent cast is surely the reason behind the success of the movie. That being said, the book is still enjoyable and the characters, though not all likeable, are at least entertaining. The premise of the book – out-sourcing your elderly citizens to another country for retirement – is an interesting one and open to further debate. The book is definitely worth reading, but then be sure to see the movie. Show Less
LibraryThing member sharlene_w
Interesting storyline and endearing characters. Also a smattering of local sights and sounds that bring a reader into the story.
LibraryThing member nina.jon
I purchased this book, not because of the hype surrounding the film (which I still haven't seen), but after it was recommended to me by a number of different people as being laugh out loud. It certainly is that. A lovely read which quite cleverly and subtly describe the barriers, misunderstandings
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and love between the generations, and which cross any cultural divide. The author successfully handles the various plots which make up and drive the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member macrossett
I am currently reading this book and very much enjoying going along for the ride with these English seniors who are in a retirement home in India. It is funny and heartwarming and a bit poignant. I am curious to see where this story takes me.
LibraryThing member Helenliz
meh.
Tells of a plan to set up an English retirement home in Bangalore, taking advantage of the low costs, the availability of staff and the better weather to entice a group of old people out of their unhappy situations and to try something new in the last stage of their life. It all felt just a
Tells of a plan to set up an English retirement home in Bangalore, taking advantage of the low costs, the availability of staff and the better weather to entice a group of old people out of their unhappy situations and to try something new in the last stage of their life. It all felt just a
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little far-fetched. The characters struck me as slightly two dimensional and stereotyped. the energetic retired couple, the cockney who'd never moved away from her street, the solitary women - be that by death or lack of partner and Norman, who (inadvertently) starts the whole thing. He, with his blue jokes, general coarseness, casual racism and sexism put me in my of my not sorely missed grandfather. I didn't like him (or his cut from the same cloth friends) very much either. It all seemed a little bit predictable, from the finding love in strange places to the life can start again whatever age you are messages. Maybe you have to be either a very long way from dealing with this to find it at all amusing, I found it kept falling a bit flat. Show Less
LibraryThing member GTTexas
Excellent bitter-sweet story which ends just as it's getting interesting. I think I may have to see the movie version of this one!
LibraryThing member Davida.Chazan
While the premise was fun, the focus was a bit off, with far too many characters having their stories told. It would have been more effective if the author had concentrated on one or two main stories and let the other characters take a bit more of a back seat.
LibraryThing member fglass
Charming and amusing read. Quirky British seniors from all walks of life, retire to a hotel in Bangalore, India. Each character is given a life before their current one at the "Dun Roamin" hotel (pun itended). They bring their frightening, silly , and down-right nervy "baggage" with them to their
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new "home" with each other. The interactions are quite funny and sometimes quite sad. I look forward to seeing the upcoming movie based on this novel, "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", with Judi Dench. I hope the character she plays is Evelyn Greenslade. Show Less
LibraryThing member librarian1204
Because of the movie and the wonderful cast , I read this book. I doubt if the movie follows the book very closely. Havn't seen the movie.
Because I am of that age... I found myself thinking ouch as I read the story. Fairly predictable.
Because I am of that age... I found myself thinking ouch as I read the story. Fairly predictable.
LibraryThing member CasaBooks
Fun read. It's fiction and has some 'holes' that could be called weak spots - - but what the heck - it has lots of human interest, children's reactions to elderly parents, and elder realities of elderness. All that elder-said, it's still a fun book with lots of unique characters.
Then the setting
The books seems to be just the tip of an iceberg of further plots and explorations.
I'm ready to read more.
I thought each of the characters had so much more room to be developed and expanded that this could be a series of books - like Alexander McCall Smith does - or made into a TV series.
Chose it because I want to see the movie (hopefully soon) and I enjoy reading the book first.
With that marvelous cast of characters - seems the movie has gotten great reviews and with that cast - could imagine this as the basis for a Masterpiece Theatre "At the Marigold"
Go ahead - read it!
Then the setting
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of somewhat 'cast-off' Brits in the country of castes in the cast off British empire and with the CAST of actors in the movie . . .The books seems to be just the tip of an iceberg of further plots and explorations.
I'm ready to read more.
I thought each of the characters had so much more room to be developed and expanded that this could be a series of books - like Alexander McCall Smith does - or made into a TV series.
Chose it because I want to see the movie (hopefully soon) and I enjoy reading the book first.
With that marvelous cast of characters - seems the movie has gotten great reviews and with that cast - could imagine this as the basis for a Masterpiece Theatre "At the Marigold"
Go ahead - read it!
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LibraryThing member Pferdina
I actually enjoyed the movie more. Almost half of the book is taken up introducing the many characters before they move to India, and that makes it move slowly. The second half is better, with action taking place, but the stories do not feel as developed as I expected. There are probably too many
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different threads going on for any of them to get very deep. Still, this was a fine book. Show Less
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
2.5**
Several British retirees move to Bangalore after falling for the promises made in a promotional video for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. This is a new type of retirement community, in a country where the elderly are revered. They are promised adventure, multiple activities, good food, on-site
The novel features quite a collection of characters – a randy old man, a slippery entrepreneur, a dissatisfied hotel owner, a whiny and beleaguered widow whose son may be a crook, an adventurous married couple whose life is just too perfect to be believed, a sweet elderly woman whose son and daughter have basically abandoned her and whose savings have dwindled, and an Indian-born doctor and his British wife whose marriage is at a crossroads. Moggach also sprinkles in a variety of minor characters that come and go but sometimes have a major impact on the plot.
There are some aspects of the story that I really enjoyed. I liked seeing the major characters come face to face with issues they had shoved aside for so long. Some of them really blossomed in the new environment. I liked that not everyone’s story ends nice and neat and tied up with a pretty bow. I liked the unexpected alliances and relationships that formed. What I didn’t like so much was that it felt disjointed and not fully developed. A few of the coincidences were just too far-fetched and unbelievable to me. Also, having such a large cast of characters meant that I could never get close enough to them to really understand or relate to any one of them.
I was intrigued by the premise and, much like the characters in the book, seduced by the promises of the movie version. On the whole I did not find the book particularly entertaining or charming. It wasn’t bad, but it was rather blah.
Several British retirees move to Bangalore after falling for the promises made in a promotional video for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. This is a new type of retirement community, in a country where the elderly are revered. They are promised adventure, multiple activities, good food, on-site
Show More
health care, and lower costs. What they get is not what they expected.The novel features quite a collection of characters – a randy old man, a slippery entrepreneur, a dissatisfied hotel owner, a whiny and beleaguered widow whose son may be a crook, an adventurous married couple whose life is just too perfect to be believed, a sweet elderly woman whose son and daughter have basically abandoned her and whose savings have dwindled, and an Indian-born doctor and his British wife whose marriage is at a crossroads. Moggach also sprinkles in a variety of minor characters that come and go but sometimes have a major impact on the plot.
There are some aspects of the story that I really enjoyed. I liked seeing the major characters come face to face with issues they had shoved aside for so long. Some of them really blossomed in the new environment. I liked that not everyone’s story ends nice and neat and tied up with a pretty bow. I liked the unexpected alliances and relationships that formed. What I didn’t like so much was that it felt disjointed and not fully developed. A few of the coincidences were just too far-fetched and unbelievable to me. Also, having such a large cast of characters meant that I could never get close enough to them to really understand or relate to any one of them.
I was intrigued by the premise and, much like the characters in the book, seduced by the promises of the movie version. On the whole I did not find the book particularly entertaining or charming. It wasn’t bad, but it was rather blah.
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LibraryThing member Georgiann
When Ravi Kapoors an overworked doctor in a London hospital. The health care system is going broke and they are understaffed. His Father in law once again comes to live with him and his wife after getting kicked out of another nursing home. He asks his wife can,t we just send him away far far away.
Jan 18, 2012 [edit]
Jan 06, 2012
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His prayers are answered when his entrepreneurial cousin decides to set up a retirement home in India, hoping to re-create in Bangalore an Elegant lost corner of England. The Marigold was many things in its day from a school to a hotel, now its a retirement hotel. Several retirees are enticed by the brochures which promise indulgent living at a bargain price, but once they get there they find the restoration of the once sophisticated Hotel are stalled and that such amenities as water and electricity are....infreguent. But they come to find its plentiful in adventure, stunning beauty and love. The author really draws you into the characters lives and problems . From the couple with the gay son, to the mum who finds out her son was into some shady business and now is on the run from the police.The decriptions of Bangalore and the surrounding area made me feel as if i was there seeing the bazaars , poor street children the beggars and merchants.I would diffently read more books by this author. Once i started reading it i did,t want to put the book down.(less) [edit]Jan 18, 2012 [edit]
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LibraryThing member MomsterBookworm
This book was originally published with the title, 'These Foolish Things', which after having read the book, I think that would have been a more apropos title, albeit, not quite as exotic.
The plot had promise, the gist being of a retirement home ('hotel') being set up in Bangalore, India for old
However, the author continued largely with their individual stories and of their adaptation 'issues' -- which was perhaps the original premise of the novel -- drawing on each character's idiosyncrasies. The problem, for me, was that I felt the ending was too abrupt, a too hasty attempt to tie up loose ends, which didn't match the pace of the rest of the novel, hence the low rating. I have not yet watched the movie, and am interested in making comparisons.
The plot had promise, the gist being of a retirement home ('hotel') being set up in Bangalore, India for old
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folks in England to retire to. The first part of the book told their individual stories, as to why they were leaving their homeland for another clime. I looked forward to the rest of the book where their paths and lives converged on a foreign shore. However, the author continued largely with their individual stories and of their adaptation 'issues' -- which was perhaps the original premise of the novel -- drawing on each character's idiosyncrasies. The problem, for me, was that I felt the ending was too abrupt, a too hasty attempt to tie up loose ends, which didn't match the pace of the rest of the novel, hence the low rating. I have not yet watched the movie, and am interested in making comparisons.
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LibraryThing member ArleenWilliams
Loved this book...a fun, easy read that also made me think a bit about the challenges of aging. Can't wait for the movie!
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9780099572022
Original publication date
2004