Bombay: City Rediscovered

Suketu Mehta, a native of Bombay, provides us with an insider's perspective of this remarkable metropolitan area. He approaches the city from unexpected angles, taking us into the criminal underworld of rival Muslim and Hindu gangs, following the life of a bar dancer raised amid poverty and abuse, opening the door into the inner sanctums of Bollywood, and delving into the stories of the countless villagers who come in search of a better life and end up living on the sidewalks.

As each individual story unfolds, Mehta also recounts his own efforts to make a home in Bombay after more than twenty years abroad. Candid, impassioned, funny, and heartrending, Maximum City is a revelation of an ancient and ever-changing world.

The book provides an insider's view of Bombay, a stunning metropolis that Mehta, a native of the city, intimately explores. He takes readers into unexpected realms, from the criminal underworld of rival Muslim and Hindu gangs to the lives of bar dancers raised in poverty and abuse. Mehta also opens the door to the inner workings of Bollywood and the stories of villagers who come to the city in search of a better life, only to end up living on the sidewalks.

As these individual narratives unfold, Mehta also shares his own journey of trying to make a home in Bombay after more than two decades abroad. Candid, passionate, humorous, and heartbreaking, Maximum City is a revelatory exploration of this ancient and ever-evolving urban landscape.

Mehta's work offers a unique and compelling perspective on Bombay, blending personal experience with a deep dive into the diverse stories and experiences that make up this remarkable city. From the gritty underbelly to the glitz of Bollywood, the book paints a multifaceted portrait that is both captivating and profound.

Throughout the narrative, Mehta's own search for belonging and connection in the city he once called home adds an additional layer of depth and perspective. The result is a work that is simultaneously informative, emotional, and deeply immersive, inviting readers to step into the vibrant and complex world of Bombay through the eyes of a native son.

product information: