The best birthday gift I got in 2004. What highly recommended the book to me when I read about it on Alternet was that it seemed not to tread the Kala Ghoda – Fire’n’Ice map. It was my Bombay – the city of spittle-stained staircases and stoned street children in Azad Maidan.

A three-star book. But neat narrative – little chapters that branch off and tell you about absinthe or airships, depending on their relevance to the events in the story.

Slightly boring, but erudite and illuminating.

Loved it, not just because it IS a short history of nearly everything, but because that history is populated by such interesting characters, and Bryson brings them to life.

Like Maya said, it’s full of rude words, but like her Mum, I’d still make my kids read it. Part murder-mystery, part coming-of-age, part pop math – subversive and subtle, taut read-between-the-lines experience.

One of the best I read in 2004. Have been recommending and gifting it to people. Fell in love with the feisty little girl.

Well written to almost the point of faultlessness. Love his seemingly breezy skipping in and out of different narratives, and the multiple frames, just like ‘Oscar and Lucinda’ and ‘Ned Kelly’.

Mind bogglingly well-researched. Lived in it for several weeks last year. The footnotes provide a convincing backstory, that adds to the feeling of this being a historical novel, really, and not one of fantasy. Also, good to hit someome over the head with, though haven’t had a chance to yet.

Malkovich has done a great job adapting it. Fell in love with Bardem’s restrained style, and subsequently Bardem himself.

Apart from the fact that I had to hug the book to me and sob uncontrollably every few chapters, I was also left breathless by the immense composure in the writing. I’m planning to read whatever else I can find by her.