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Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE 2020

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Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

By: Deepa Anappara
Narrated by: Indira Varma, Himesh Patel, Antonio Aakeel, Deepa Anappara
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

‘'A moving and confident novel about the preciousness of life' Nikesh Shukla
'A brilliant debut' (Ian McEwan) picked as one to watch by the Guardian, Observer, Vogue and Stylist

Three weeks ago I was only a schoolkid but now I’m a detective and also a tea-shop boy…

Nine-year-old Jai watches too many reality cop shows, thinks he’s smarter than his friend Pari (even though she always gets top marks) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Faiz is the one with a job).

When a boy at school goes missing, Jai decides to use the crime-solving skills he has picked up from episodes of Police Patrol to find him. With Pari and Faiz by his side, Jai ventures into some of the most dangerous parts of the sprawling Indian city; the bazaar at night, and even the railway station at the end of the Purple Line. But kids continue to vanish, and the trio must confront terrified parents, an indifferent police force and soul-snatching djinns in order to uncover the truth.

'Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best’ Anne Enright, Booker-prize winning author of The Gathering

© Deepa Anappara 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020

 Action & Adventure Amateur Sleuths Detective Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense South Asian Creators World Literature Crime Suspense

Critic reviews

It’s not hard to see why Djinn Patrol is one of the most eagerly awaited debut novels this spring. It feels like a reckoning with modern India and its many complex problems… Anappara cleverly filters a uniquely Indian horror story through a chirpy, Famous Five-esque narrative and the voice of a witty, young, have-a-go hero (Johanna Thomas-Corr)
Djinn Patrol is storytelling at its best. The prose is not just sympathetic, vivid, and beautifully detailed, but also completely assured and deft. We care about these characters from the first page and our concern for them is richly repaid (Anne Enright, Man Booker Prize-winning author of The Gathering)
In Jai, Anappara has created a boy vivid in his humanity, one whose voice somersaults on the page. Rich with easy joy, Anappara’s writing announces the arrival of a literary supernova... (Warning: If you begin reading the book in the morning, don’t expect to get anything done for the rest of the day.) (Lorraine Adams)
Anappara's characters brim with swagger and spirit and she creates a world of wit, warmth and heart (Nina Stibbe)
A captivating literary style... A dazzling, wonderful book (Elif Shafak)
Extraordinary... moving and unpredictable... remarkable (Maureen Corrigan)
A vivid, immersive debut laced with wonder
A brilliant debut (Ian McEwan, Sunday Times bestselling author of Atonement)
Deepa Anappara’s richly textured and delightfully observed debut evokes the sights and sounds of a sprawling Indian city. Every detail rings true... Day-to-day life in the slums has such vitality that you immediately warm to the residents, with their resilience and dry humour (Max Davidson)
A moving and confident novel about the preciousness of life. The storytelling is distinctive and immersive (Nikesh Shukla, author and editor of The Good Immigrant)
All stars
Most relevant
This was a moving, powerful novel that through the voices of the children living in the poorest sections of an Indian city confronts a horrific reality in the disappearance of children. It was in places painful to read but I felt an important novel that deserves a wide readership.

A Powerful Novel Giving Voice to the Children

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Something about the innocence and kindness of the narrator made this very sad story tolerable and even hopeful; forgotten and ignored children are the centrepiece here and I am better for having listened to 'their' story.

Rarely heard voice in literature

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I chose this book because I needed a change. It was out of my comfort zone, if you like. I am so glad I did. It was sad, funny, delightful, raw, honest, and eye opening. It took me a while to realise there was no happy ending. It wasn’t obvious because the drama was so understated. Very clever writing.

Fascinating read

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Honestly this book wasn't bad and i would have given it more stars if the author didn't see fit to espouse her political views at the end. Don't know what she has against Trump since he alone has been highlighting people trafficking alone amongst western leaders. The bexit vote wasn't necessarily anything to do with immigration, for me it was to do national sovereignty. I know nobody asked my opinion but she started it. Other than that this was a truely depressing book. Deffinitely a one listen only kind text.

Can you stop telling us what to think!

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I absolutely loved this audiobook after having enjoyed reading the book. Listen to it now!

A perfect part coming-of-age, part detective story

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