Original language:
anglų k. Translated from: anglų k.
Authors: Published Translation of Min Jin Lee NovelSwarup, Vikas
ISBN: 978-9955-24-956-6
Published in: Vilnius
Published on: 2008
Publisher: Alma littera
“Q & A” is a novel, which unravels an unbelievable story about a life that has changed completely just in one night. The writer tells a story about a person who has always been in the bottom of hierarchal system and his life struggles.
The main character Ram Mohammad Thomas runs into life difficulties since he was little. A child who has been abandoned by his parents cannot find his place in the world. He tries to adapt in various institutions, work places, but various struggles do not allow him to settle. A constant lack of income, social separation and other obstacles disturb an everyday life of the young man. However, the strong personality of Ram does not allow him to be self-pity. He tries to fight for a better tomorrow not only for himself but for people around him as well. Ram in his life gets familiar not only with liars, rude and cruel people but he also finds some amazing friends, love of his life and a person who has become a father figure. Thus, he starts to realize that people who bring happiness in life are much more important than the material good.
Ram’s life unexpectedly changes when he finds a commercial for a popular TV show “Who wants to win a billion?” He decides to take a risk and gets in the game. What are the chances that a young man, who has an elementary education at best, will win an intellectual quiz show? This was a preconception of the audience and the host Prem Kumar. However, Ram surprises everyone with his knowledge. He answers all the quiz questions without a struggle. Ram figures out all of the answers because of his life experiences rather than books or school. Every single question asked on the show brings back the memories about some period of life as well as learned lessons. Ram finally reaches the final question and wins the main prize. The payment of the main prize would mean bankruptcy of the show producers. Thus, the legal allegations are presented about Ram’s capability of winning as well as a possibility of cheating. The investigator tries to get young man’s confession in various cruel ways. However, a lawyer Smita Shah helps to get the real story out.
Vikas Swarup is a well known Indian diplomat and writer. His novels “Q&A”, “Six suspects” and many others are well known everywhere in the world. The book “Q&A” has received a massive recognition and its story was turned into a movie called Slumdog millionaire. The film has won eight “Oscars” and four “Golden Globes” awards.