books by Kushwant Singh...

Zen · Nov 1st, 2004, 09:11

Have you guys read his work?
is he any good?
any suggestions on any particular book?

soulstation · Nov 1st, 2004, 10:24

Khushwant Singh is a very well known Indian writer. He is not exactly a travel writer. He is popular for his many non-fiction books on Delhi, nature and current affairs. But I think, his most sustantial work is the classic two-volume 'History of the Sikhs'. My reccomendations would be 'Delhi - A Novel' and 'Train to Pakistan'.

His novel Delhi, offers combination of semi-autobiographical narrative and fictional recreation of the most dramatic and tumultuous episodes of the city’s history. He rites...‘I return to Delhi as I return to my mistress Bhagmati when I have had my fill of whoring in foreign lands…’ - he is travelling through time, space and history to ‘discover’ his beloved city.

Some of my other picks:
William Dalrymple, Delhi: City of Djinns
Ved Mehta, The New India
Anita Desai, Clear Light of Day
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, The Householder

usha · Nov 1st, 2004, 11:51

Well I like to read all kind of books..starting from Comic books like, Tintin, Asterix, Archie to Mysteries like ,Sherlock Homes to fictions to Spritual books, to Autobiography of a Yogi..
All depends upon the mood and the place..

Well I found Kushwant sing's Joke Books are okey reading (light reading while travelling) . I havent read other books written by him. May be becoz, my choice of books are different.
I like God of Small Things- Arundhati Roy
Ageless body Timeless mind- by Deepak Chopra
All time favorites
- The Littel Prince By Antoine De Saint-Exupery
- Jonathan Livingston seagull by Richard Bach ( I like to read all Richard Bach's works)

The list is long..

I believe -Let any form of information technology come , but NOTHING CAN REPLACE A BOOK.
cheers
usha

wonderwomanusa · Nov 1st, 2004, 12:40

TRAIN TO PAKISTAN was one of the first books I read that was about India -- and it was so heavy and intense and well-written, that it blew me right away.

Alas, I read about 100 pages of DELHI -- A NOVEL and hated it; traded it to someone in India without finishing it.

I've probably read 200 books about India or by Indian writers, but this was the one, along with everything by Saliman Rushdie, that I wasn't able to read.

usha · Nov 1st, 2004, 12:49

Thanks for that tip,
I will try to get a copy of TRAIN TO PAKISTAN and read.
Hope I to wont end up trading it to someone

. ( like wonderwomanusa mentioned in her reply).
see ya
usha

Zen · Nov 1st, 2004, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by trvl_in

As one might expect the tale isn't a balanced one -- I have yet to read anything at all written by, well, anyone, that achieves anything like balance on what is known in India as "communal relations". And invariably the work that achieves the nearest semblance of balance turns out to be working an ever so fevered subterranean agenda.

...but I digress. By all means read Kushwant Singh -- if your tastes resemble mine at all (no reason why they should), then read him as part of the historical record rather than for entertainment.

hmmm... but u noe, each book... by any writer is more or less... his own opinion/view of things.. i dont i i wud be able to read anyone and say 100% that yes... this appears to be balanced as i see it.. coz u know what.....watever might be balance for me.. might not be for someone else.

but nonetheless.. your point is taken. thanks for the reply!

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulstation

Khushwant Singh is a very well known Indian writer. He is not exactly a travel writer. He is popular for his many non-fiction books on Delhi, nature and current . My reccomendations would be 'Delhi - A Novel' and 'Train to Pakistan'.

yeah... i'd like to read mostly.. non-fiction, i think Delhi may be a good choice. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by usha

Well I like to read all kind of books..starting from Comic books like, Tintin, Asterix, Archie to Mysteries like ,Sherlock Homes to fictions to Spritual books, to Autobiography of a Yogi..
All depends upon the mood and the place..

I believe -Let any form of information technology come , but NOTHING CAN REPLACE A BOOK.
cheers
usha

talk abt comics...... ur not alone.. ..

books need time... i dont think a lot of us have that privilege anymore! the joke book...yes, i beleive i've read some ..long time back.. it was indeed funny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

TRAIN TO PAKISTAN was one of the first books I read that was about India -- and it was so heavy and intense and well-written, that it blew me right away.

Alas, I read about 100 pages of DELHI -- A NOVEL and hated it; traded it to someone in India without finishing it.

I've probably read 200 books about India or by Indian writers, but this was the one, along with everything by Saliman Rushdie, that I wasn't able to read.

I guess Train to Pak. wil be intense... i've read quite a few stuff abt partition and not to mention a billion movies and tv programs... i guess i've had too much of that already....
As for Delhi... hmm... u did not like it.. eh! well, lemme gimme a try.. and perhaps i will be better able to give me opinion on that.

200 books!? whoa

thanks for the input.

beach · Nov 2nd, 2004, 21:43

"WE INDIANS" is a good book. It's a collection of essays by him.
He looks at various facts of indian life.

"END OF INDIA" too a good book by him (a best seller in Pakistan

)
This too a small book with mostly collection of his essays.

He is a very good critic of Indian society. A very sharp man. He cracks the dirtiest jokes imaginable. According to him he is not a dirty man, just he has a dirty mind

There are only two types of Indians who reads his books, the one hates him the ones fall in love with his writings. I like his writings

usha · Nov 2nd, 2004, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach

"WE INDIANS" is a good book. It's a collection of essays by him.
He looks at various facts of indian life.

"END OF INDIA" too a good book by him (a best seller in Pakistan

)
This too a small book with mostly collection of his essays.

He is a very good critic of Indian society. A very sharp man. He cracks the dirtiest jokes imaginable. According to him he is not a dirty man, just he has a dirty mind

There are only two types of Indians who reads his books, the one hates him the ones fall in love with his writings. I like his writings

Thanks beach,
Atleast he admits that he has a dirty mind..

..Look at our politicians always denying ....rite??
How do u find Shoba de's books ?
Do u find Shoba de books also intresting??
usha

malvin · Nov 3rd, 2004, 05:05

"He is a very good critic of Indian society. A very sharp man."
that is the best introduction of this journalist/writer."the train to pakistan" in my opinion is his best fictional writing and "delhi" isn`t bad as well.

Merchant · Nov 3rd, 2004, 05:12

Singh writes regularly for www.tehelka.com, which is worth a web subscription if you are interested in progressive journalism in India.

Nov 1st, 2004, 09:11	#1
Zen Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tdot Posts: 6	books by Kushwant Singh... Have you guys read his work? is he any good? any suggestions on any particular book?

Nov 1st, 2004, 11:51	#3
usha Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Back to 'God's own country' Posts: 527	The books I like to read Well I like to read all kind of books..starting from Comic books like, Tintin, Asterix, Archie to Mysteries like ,Sherlock Homes to fictions to Spritual books, to Autobiography of a Yogi.. All depends upon the mood and the place.. Well I found Kushwant sing's Joke Books are okey reading (light reading while travelling) . I havent read other books written by him. May be becoz, my choice of books are different. I like God of Small Things- Arundhati Roy Ageless body Timeless mind- by Deepak Chopra All time favorites - The Littel Prince By Antoine De Saint-Exupery - Jonathan Livingston seagull by Richard Bach ( I like to read all Richard Bach's works) The list is long.. I believe -Let any form of information technology come , but NOTHING CAN REPLACE A BOOK. cheers usha __________________ Life is a beautiful journey so keep travelling with a SMILE

Nov 1st, 2004, 12:49	#5
usha Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Back to 'God's own country' Posts: 527	Thanks Thanks for that tip, I will try to get a copy of TRAIN TO PAKISTAN and read. Hope I to wont end up trading it to someone . ( like wonderwomanusa mentioned in her reply). see ya usha

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Nov 1st, 2004, 10:24	#2
soulstation For God's Sake, Save The Tiger! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IND Posts: 141	Khushwant Singh is a very well known Indian writer. He is not exactly a travel writer. He is popular for his many non-fiction books on Delhi, nature and current affairs. But I think, his most sustantial work is the classic two-volume 'History of the Sikhs'. My reccomendations would be 'Delhi - A Novel' and 'Train to Pakistan'. His novel Delhi, offers combination of semi-autobiographical narrative and fictional recreation of the most dramatic and tumultuous episodes of the city’s history. He rites...‘I return to Delhi as I return to my mistress Bhagmati when I have had my fill of whoring in foreign lands…’ - he is travelling through time, space and history to ‘discover’ his beloved city. Some of my other picks: William Dalrymple, Delhi: City of Djinns Ved Mehta, The New India Anita Desai, Clear Light of Day Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, The Householder

Nov 1st, 2004, 12:40	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dhaka Posts: 3,570	TRAIN TO PAKISTAN was one of the first books I read that was about India -- and it was so heavy and intense and well-written, that it blew me right away. Alas, I read about 100 pages of DELHI -- A NOVEL and hated it; traded it to someone in India without finishing it. I've probably read 200 books about India or by Indian writers, but this was the one, along with everything by Saliman Rushdie, that I wasn't able to read.

Nov 2nd, 2004, 21:43	#7
beach Lost in translation Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India ! Posts: 2,234	"WE INDIANS" is a good book. It's a collection of essays by him. He looks at various facts of indian life. "END OF INDIA" too a good book by him (a best seller in Pakistan ) This too a small book with mostly collection of his essays. He is a very good critic of Indian society. A very sharp man. He cracks the dirtiest jokes imaginable. According to him he is not a dirty man, just he has a dirty mind There are only two types of Indians who reads his books, the one hates him the ones fall in love with his writings. I like his writings

Nov 3rd, 2004, 05:05	#9
malvin Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: hallein(austria)/chandigarh(punjab) Posts: 171	"He is a very good critic of Indian society. A very sharp man." that is the best introduction of this journalist/writer."the train to pakistan" in my opinion is his best fictional writing and "delhi" isn`t bad as well.

Nov 3rd, 2004, 05:12	#10
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,101	Singh writes regularly for www.tehelka.com, which is worth a web subscription if you are interested in progressive journalism in India.

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