Book Review: Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo

Introduction

Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity is a non-fiction masterpiece that is a compelling novel. Published in 2012, this book offers an account of life in Annawadi, a slum near Mumbai’s international airport. Boo spent over three years immersing herself in the lives of Annawadi’s residents, recording their stories with vivid detail and deep empathy. The book explores themes such as poverty, inequality, hope, and resilience in a rapidly globalizing world, making it both an enlightening and thought-provoking read.

Katherine Boo: A Journalist of Integrity

Katherine Boo is well-known for her detailed journalism and heartfelt storytelling. Before writing Behind the Beautiful Forevers, she worked for The Washington Post and The New Yorker, focusing on poverty and social issues. In 2000, she won a Pulitzer Prize for her reporting on the mistreatment of people with disabilities in state institutions. Boo's journalistic skills are clear in this book, where she truly captures the lives and voices of the people she writes about.

   Boo's commitment to her work and to finding the truth is clear on every page of Behind the Beautiful Forevers. She treats her subjects with care and respect, letting their stories come to life naturally. Her writing is both vivid and accurate, making it deeply moving without being overly sentimental. Boo's ability to mix detailed journalism with compassionate storytelling makes her book a powerful and important read.

 

                                           Katherine Boo in Annawadi. Source: Outlook India

 

Life in Annawadi

Abdul Husain, a teenage garbage sorter, dreams of lifting his family out of poverty through his recycling business. He works tirelessly, sorting and selling garbage collected from the streets of Mumbai. Abdul's dedication is driven by a simple yet profound desire to improve his family’s circumstances. However, his life takes a tragic turn when he is accused of abetting the suicide of his neighbor Fatima, known as “The One Leg.”

Residents of the Annawadi slum, Mumbai, the setting for Katherine Boo's non-fiction book 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' Credit: Photo: AFP

Fatima’s story is a touching depiction of the psychological toll of poverty. Desperate for attention and validation, she sets herself on fire in a tragic act that has devastating consequences for everyone involved. Fatima once declared, “I am not nothing. I am something,” a haunting reminder of her quest for recognition in a society that often overlooks people like her. Abdul’s reflection, “I just want to be better at being good,” shows his moral struggle in a world where survival often demands moral compromises.

The Shadow of Globalization

The people in Annawadi live very close to Mumbai’s international airport, which represents the city’s economic growth. The big difference between the luxury hotels and the poor slum is shown in the book’s title: Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Sunil, a young boy in the slum, notices that “Everything around us is blooming, but we are stuck in the mud.” Boo shows how the benefits of globalization often miss the poor, leaving them to struggle.

The luxurious developments around the airport serve as a constant reminder of the opportunities that remain out of reach for Annawadi’s residents. They see the wealth and progress but are trapped in a cycle of poverty that seems impossible to break. Boo effectively contrasts the luxury of the nearby hotels with the poor conditions of the slum, showing the big differences in wealth and living standards in modern cities. 

Corruption and Survival

Corruption is a major argument in the book. Bribery and exploitation are common in Annawadi, affecting everything from healthcare to the justice system. Abdul's family faces many challenges with the police and courts, showing how the poor are often unfairly targeted. Asha Waghekar, an ambitious woman in the slum, tries to become a leader by navigating the corrupt political system. She believes that “If we don’t take bribes, we’ll never get ahead,” highlighting the tough choices people must make to survive.

Two friends of Sunil, one of the subjects of Katherine Boo's book, which chronicles life in Annawadi, a slum next to Mumbai's main airport. ILLUSTRATION: Chiara Goia

Hope and Resilience

Despite their tough circumstances, the people of Annawadi show incredible hope and determination. Asha’s daughter, Manju, wants to be the first woman in the slum to go to college. She balances her studies with teaching children in the neighborhood. Manju believes that “Education is the only way out of here.” 

Abdul keeps going even when he faces jail and criticism from society. His dedication to his family and his strong belief in a better future make him a character we can root for. Through Abdul's story, Boo shows how strong and determined people can be, always trying to improve their lives despite big challenges.

A Masterpiece of Narrative Journalism

Behind the Beautiful Forevers is an outstanding example of storytelling journalism. Katherine Boo's writing is both direct and empathetic. She allows the people of Annawadi to share their own experiences, which makes the book feel very real and impactful. Boo's thorough research, including countless hours of interviews and legal document reviews, gives the story credibility. Her writing is clear and powerful, and it touches the heart without being overly emotional.

By staying out of the narrative herself, Boo lets the residents' voices shine, making the book feel personal and close. Her simple and clear writing style makes complex issues easy to understand and relatable for readers. Boo's talent in bringing the struggles and strengths of Annawadi's people to life shows her skill as both a journalist and a storyteller.

Children in Annawadi, the Mumbai slum that is the focus of Katherine Boo's "Behind the Beautiful Forevers." (Katherine Boo)

                                                                Annawadi’s Sewar Lake

                                                     Annawadi, India with Airport in View

Critique

While the book is highly praised, there are some areas where it falls short. As a reader, I felt that Boo, being an outsider, might miss some of the cultural nuances of Annawadi. Although she lets the residents speak, I sometimes questioned if her reliance on interviews fully captured their emotions.

Also, while the focus on individual stories was compelling, it sometimes took away from a broader look at the systemic issues of poverty and inequality. Readers looking for a more policy-focused analysis might find this approach lacking. However, Boo's ability to humanize these issues made them relatable and important to a global audience. Her storytelling blends personal stories with a critique of globalization and inequality, making the book very impactful.

Also, Boo relies a lot on personal stories to highlight larger issues like poverty and inequality. While these stories are touching and powerful, they sometimes overshadow a wider look at the systemic problems. The book focuses on characters like Abdul, Asha, and Manju, but spends less time on the broader political and economic systems that keep places like Annawadi in poverty. Readers who want more about the policies affecting these issues might find this approach lacking.

Moreover, Boo's writing style, while engaging, can sometimes seem overly dramatic. Her vivid descriptions and focus on the tragic aspects of the residents' lives are effective in drawing empathy, but can also feel overwhelming. Boo usually balances this well, but there are times when the depiction of suffering feels too intense.

Despite these critiques, Boo’s storytelling is exceptional. Her writing is clear and emotional, yet not overly sentimental. The residents of Annawadi are given a voice that goes beyond their circumstances.  Boo’s dedication to her work, her careful research, and her commitment to uncovering the truth make Behind the Beautiful Forevers a powerful read.

Conclusion

Behind the Beautiful Forevers is an important book that makes readers think about the harsh realities faced by the world's poorest people. By sharing the stories of Annawadi's residents, Boo shows our shared humanity and the urgent need for change. The book's vivid storytelling, deep compassion, and thorough research offer a powerful look at resilience, hope, and the struggle for dignity.

Katherine Boo’s dedication to her work and her commitment to uncovering the truth make Behind the Beautiful Forevers a must-read. She blends journalistic integrity with empathetic storytelling, making this book both powerful and impactful. It provides a compelling look at poverty and the human spirit's strength. In conclusion, Behind the Beautiful Forevers is not just about life in a Mumbai slum; it shows the strength and resilience of the human spirit. It challenges us to look beyond appearances and see the real lives and struggles of those often overlooked. Boo’s work is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the need for change. She also gave a thought provoking statements that connect with the story of slums and dreams that she shared to the world through this book, 

“What you don’t want is always going to be with you

What you want is never going to be with you

Where you don’t want to go, you have to go

And the moment you think you’re going to live more, you’re going to die”