Handpicked by Karma Group Literary Luminary and Ultimate Library’s Philip Blackwell, these 5 epic novels about India are written by some of India’s greatest novelists including Arundhati Roy and Anita Desai. Through the eyes of these award-winning writers, journey through exotic lands and deepen your understanding of India’s rich and complex culture. Their words will linger long after you have turned the final page.
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The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
The story of twins Esther and Rahel, The God of Small Things explores their patchwork childhood, which is shaped during political turbulence in Kerala. Sensational characters abound in their charming and hideous idiosyncrasies and Roy’s Booker-winning story is a literary sensation that has swept the globe with both its tragedy and magic.
2. In Custody by Anita Desai
Set around the life of the impoverished and lonely lecturer, Deven, In Custody is a touching and wonderfully funny story of a man who takes an opportunity to escape the mundanity of his daily existence. When Deven is offered to interview the star Urdu poet – Nur, the situation can only end in disaster.
3. We That Are Young by Preti Taneja
This novel is a modern-day King Lear that takes place in the climate contemporary India. Playing on Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, Taneja uses her story to reflect on modern India, as she inspects the nationalism, religious fanaticism and sexism that still exists in one of the fastest-growing economies of our time.
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The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Balram Halwai is the smartest child in school – The White Tiger. But despite his good prospects, his poor family can no longer afford for him to attend school. However, Balram lucks out when a rich man hires him as a driver, but as Balram increasingly sees the hopelessness of his situation, desperation drives him to commit murder and himself to a life of crime.
5. Small Days and Nights by Tishani Doshi
To escape her failing marriage, Grace returns to Pondicherry to cremate her mother and finds, to her surprise, that she has inherited a rather hefty lineage of belongings, including her mother’s house. As she sets herself up in the house alongside Lucia, Mallika and Auntie Kavitha, she discovers the true chaos and tenderness of life with these women.
Read none of the above. Keen to read the White tiger to begin with. Thanks
Thanks Dr Sen for your time .We hope you do enjoy the book recommendations. Do tell us which one was your most preferred. Cheers
A very good selection of books. Loved reading the God of small things and white tiger.
That’s Wonderful Ms Verma .We hope you enjoy the other reads as well. Cheers!