Narcopolis by Jeet Thayil

“I found Bombay and opium, the drug and the city, the city of opium and the drug Bombay” 

My impetus for reading this novel was its short listing for the 2012 Man Booker Prize. I really struggled with it and it took much longer than usual for me to finish. Looking back now I wonder whether this could be attributed to the fact I was reading it on my mobile phone rather than in book format. The hazy daze of prose is reminiscent of a drugged out trip and while with hindsight that does seem rather brilliant given the topic, it just really didn't capture my interest. So, it was a 2 out of 5 for me.