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The God of Small Things

The God of Small Things is a 1997 debut novel by Indian author Arundhati Roy.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The God of Small Things is a 1997 debut novel by Indian author Arundhati Roy. Set mainly in Kerala, India, it follows fraternal twins Estha and Rahel and their family across a nonlinear narrative shaped by caste, class, colonial legacies, and family tragedy. The novel won the Booker Prize in 1997.

Plot

The novel follows the childhood and later reunion of twins Estha and Rahel, while gradually revealing a family tragedy linked to their cousin Sophie Mol and to Ammu’s relationship with Velutha.

Themes

The book examines caste hierarchy, social discrimination, forbidden relationships, family power, and the long-term effects of trauma and colonial history.

Style and structure

Roy tells the story in a nonlinear, fragmented manner, moving between different time periods and perspectives to build meaning through memory and repetition.

Publication and reception

Published in 1997, the novel received major international attention and won the Booker Prize, establishing Roy as a prominent literary figure.

Key facts

  • It was Arundhati Roy’s first novel, published in 1997.
  • The book won the Booker Prize in 1997.
  • The story is set primarily in Kerala, India, and moves between 1969 and 1993.
  • Major themes include caste discrimination, forbidden love, class, and colonial influence.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote The God of Small Things?
The novel was written by Arundhati Roy.
When was it published?
It was published in 1997.
Where is it set?
It is set mainly in Kerala, India, especially around the town of Ayemenem.
What is the book about?
It follows twin siblings Estha and Rahel and their family, centring on a childhood tragedy and its long aftermath.
What award did it win?
It won the Booker Prize in 1997.
What are its main themes?
Its main themes include caste, class, forbidden love, colonial legacies, and family trauma.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_God_of_Small_Things
    Supports: Identifies the novel as Arundhati Roy's 1997 debut novel; describes the setting, characters, and themes.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-God-of-Small-Things
    Supports: Confirms publication year, Booker Prize win, Kerala setting, nonlinear structure, and major thematic concerns.
  3. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-god-of-small-things/summary
    Supports: Supports the nonlinear, time-shifting structure and the Ayemenem/Kerala family setting.
  4. SparkNotes — https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/the-god-of-small-things/analysis/
    Supports: Supports the narrative structure and the significance of Ammu and Velutha's relationship.