Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity

Abdul is arguably one of the hardest workers in Annawadi, rising with the sun and working long past sunset on his recycling business. Since his father is unable to work due to poor health conditions, Abdul supports his family of 11. For Abdul, hard work is enough to get ahead. He discourages Sunil and other road boys from stealing, and after his stint in Dongri prison, he refuses to purchase any recycling that may have been stolen.

Abdul serves as a moral compass for this book. By keeping his head down and working hard, Abdul brings the Husains a measure of prosperity. However, he learns that this can vanish in a second. When Fatima sets herself on fire, Abdul goes from being a prosperous recycler to a prisoner. In his absence the family business suffers and the Husains find themselves in a pattern of “earn to eat.” During his time in prison, Abdul comes across a man called the Master, who inspires him to live a purer life. Abdul sees himself as “ice”—made of the same essential components as the other residents of Annawadi but somehow rising to a better state.