The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
- 784
- Pages
- about 14 h
- Reading time
- NYT bestseller · 1 week on the list
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About the book
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny is a 2025 novel by Kiran Desai. With the narrative taking place mostly between 1996 and 2002, the novel tells the story of Sonia and Sunny, both Indian, one a student in Vermont, and the other a recent graduate from Columbia planning to immigrate to the United States, whose families are long acquainted before they first encounter one another on a train in India. The meeting leads to an extended romance between the two young characters through the thrum and churn of the post colonial world.
Where the score comes from
The sources average 8.0 across 31 ratings — not yet many, so the reader vote carries 14% of the weight and the rest pulls toward the Rankings average of 7.8. That is how 8.2 comes out.
| Source | Average | Ratings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | 8.0 | 31 | 100% |
Reader voices
The most-liked reviews on Hardcover (credited to their authors).
“I really struggled with this. The author just tried to do so much. While the writing was lyrical, and oddly comforting, quite independently from the meaning being conveyed, I ultimately lost all interest.”
“I'm conflicted about this book. I loved the themes and bigger questions it raised on culture, class, race, family and familial expectations, and finding our place in the world and in life. I also loved the central story line of Sonia and Sunny and was completely invested in them finding their way. On the other hand, I agree with many reviewers who noted that the book became unwieldy, trying to include the stories of too many other characters some of which, for me, either left me wondering what was the point or, worse--feeling disappointed that their story(in my opinion) ended abruptly without …”
Frequently asked
What is The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny rated?
8.2 out of 10, from 31 reader ratings across 1 independent sources.
Is The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny worth reading?
Readers give it 8.2/10 from 31 ratings in open sources.
How long does it take to read The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny?
About 14 hours at an average reading pace — 784 pages.
Was The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny a bestseller?
Yes — 1 weeks on the New York Times list, peaking at #14. Sales are shown here but never scored.