Ms. Boo's story brings to life, the statistics and numbers that regale our magazines and newspapers about the grim existence of the India slum dweller. Unlike the movie, 'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Behind the Beautiful Forevers' is not a story of impossible hope but one of incredible humanity. Ms. Boo provides us with insight into the daily travails of those who must eek out an existence by finding and sorting garbage, exploiting the largess of the Indian government and NGOs, and the temporary work provided by hotels and construction sites. The Annawadi slums are located next to the international airport in Mumbai. Around this mass of people living in shacks with little running water and few public toilets, stand luxury hotels servicing international travellers who pay little attention to the people they can see from their cars and taxis and hotel rooms. Abdul, a boy of seventeen or eighteen years of age, supports his mother, his alcoholic father and their many children by purchasing recyclables that he then transports by auto rickshaw for sale. His dedication and hard work have made him the envy of his Hindu neighbours who despise his Moslem ancestory. The neighbour, in a fit of envy and anger, pours kerosene on herself, and sets it on fire causing serious burns to much of her body. She blames Abdul, his sister and father for driving her to this act of desperation. The three must now face trial. Somehow, Ms. Boo through her vast collection of interviews and videotape, is able to share the inner feelings and thoughts of these people as the drama unfolds. I had to google the web just for reassurance that the book was, in fact, non-fiction. I've rarely read a book with so much to say about what it means to be human.