Contemporary Indian Fiction

vanvolkin2 · May 17th, 2005, 11:50

If I can't be in India in body I at least like to be there in my imagination! The easiest way I've found to do this (other than this amazing forum, of course) is through contemporary Indian fiction. I'm currently reading Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri and my all-time favorite is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, but I'm running out of authors/books that I know or that have been recommended to me. So, I thought I would ask you all.... what is your favorite piece of contemporary Indian fiction?

Nick-H · May 17th, 2005, 12:00

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. An absolute delight and so long it will keep you busy for weeks

India Edge · May 17th, 2005, 12:50

I really liked "Death of Vishnu". "Suitable Boy" was great. Recently read "The Sari Shop" by Rupa Bajwa - a small but powerful story - highly recommended.

vanvolkin2 · May 17th, 2005, 12:55

I knew I was asking the right people. I've added both books to my list. Thanks!

readmymind · May 17th, 2005, 13:00

i have enjoyed reading both, A Suitable Boy and A Fine Balance . i have also read a few books by author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Sister of my Heart was very good, in my opinion. one of her other books, The Mistress of Spices, is being made into a movie.

also, God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy, was recommended to me and i found it to be quite moving.

one way i've found other books was to go to my local library and do a search on india.

happy reading !!

xealot · May 17th, 2005, 13:08

INDIA - A Million Mutinies Now by V.S Naipaul is what I'm currently in the middle of.

It's great so far and is giving me an amazing insight into South Indian Culture!

Auntyji · May 17th, 2005, 20:20

"Riot" by Shashi Tharoor
"Listening Now" by Anjana Appachana
"Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" by Kiran Desai
"A House for Mr. Biswas" by VS Naipaul

Just a few names to add to the suggestions above-happy reading!

Wander Whai · May 17th, 2005, 20:42

1) A house for Mr.Biswas by V.S Naipaul
2) The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
3) God of Small things by Arundathi Roy

Merchant · May 17th, 2005, 20:55

You liked "Riot," Auntiji? I thought it was one of the worst books ever written-- laughably, embarrassingly bad. Shashi trying to write a sex scene? Painful . . .

fotowallah · May 17th, 2005, 21:21

Okay, I'll give you my short list of indian fiction and nonfiction, not in any particular order:

Vikram Seth...read him. He's amazing. But especially read A Suitable Boy. It's a very long book but every word is brilliant.

Raj Kamal Jah...his first novel was called The Blue Bedspread, his latest is called A Fear of Heights or something like that

William Dalrymple...okay, he's not indian, but he should be an honorary indian or something. His nonfiction books on india are great, well-informed, and well written. Try The City of Djinns (about Delhi) or The Age of Kali.

Anita Desai...anything by her is good. Try any one of the 3 or 4 novels that have been runners up for the Booker Prize.

Amitav Ghosh...a great Bengali writer. The Circle of Reason is good, as is his latest called The Hungry Tide (about Sundarbans).

RK Narayan, of course. He has written great fiction about south india as well as good, readable re-writes of some of the great indian myths, epics and folk tales. I've lost count of how many novels he's written. Try any of the Malgudi Tales, or a book called The Guide.

Chasing the Monsoon is a decent book by a westerner (Alex Frater) who travels with the monsoon as it progresses from the tip of Kerala across india.

Okay, I hope I mentioned some that you haven't read yet. That's the short list. Seriously.

Auntyji · May 17th, 2005, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

You liked "Riot," Auntiji? I thought it was one of the worst books ever written-- laughably, embarrassingly bad. Shashi trying to write a sex scene? Painful . . .

Each to her own, Merchant. Or perhaps I have poor taste.

Merchant · May 17th, 2005, 21:23

Quote:

Or perhaps I have poor taste.

Certainly not! Surely MCC has instilled in you an appreciation for the finest things.

Sonomama · May 17th, 2005, 22:01

"A Strange and Sublime Address" by Amit Chaudhuri

I bought a book with a title "Three Novels" published by Picador which includes, in addition to the above, "Afternoon Raag" and "Freedom Song". Among these three I like the first one best.

No extraordinary things happen in this novel, just everyday life of ordinary people is described. But it's written in beautiful prose, illuminated by a subtle lighting from an unexpected angle, making everything from taking a nap to visiting relatives look like a mysterious affair which may imply different things to different people.

Gayamom · May 17th, 2005, 22:14

If you can find a copy, please read The Journey by Indira Ganesan, a fine writer who was shortlisted for Granta's Best Young Writer award a few years ago. Why this amazing writer does not get more press is beyond me.

I'll second the vote for Amitav Ghosh. In an Antique Land and Circle of Reason are the kinds of books one reads and re-reads. Being a sci-fi fan, I even appreciated (but couldn't finish) his somewhat sad attempt at the genre, The Calcutta Chromosome.

A Bend in The River and A House for Mr. Biswas are classics. Although I don't like giving misanthropic Mr. Naipaul the knod, what can one do? He's brilliant.

I guess he hasn't been mentioned because he needs no mention. Salman Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet is his best work in years. Funny and dense, like all his better stuff, with loads of references both obscure and not. And he got to work with Bono and then marry some sort of super-model who is also a great cook. Life is so unfair.

Not in the same class as the other writers (IMHO) but with good prose that gets the nostalgia glands working: Amit Chaudhuri and Jhumpa Lahiri.

I'm going to be checking out many of the books mentioned by other posters. Many thanks for this thread.

-- GM

ploink · May 17th, 2005, 22:32

I'm in the middle of The Anger of Aubergines by Bulbul Sharma. A collection of short stories - and recipes!

I'm also in the middle of Everybody loves a good drought by P. Sainath. It's not fiction, but recommended reading. I hope they have good rains in the Thar (and wherever) this year.

May 17th, 2005, 11:50	#1
vanvolkin2 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 9	Contemporary Indian Fiction If I can't be in India in body I at least like to be there in my imagination! The easiest way I've found to do this (other than this amazing forum, of course) is through contemporary Indian fiction. I'm currently reading Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri and my all-time favorite is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, but I'm running out of authors/books that I know or that have been recommended to me. So, I thought I would ask you all.... what is your favorite piece of contemporary Indian fiction?

May 17th, 2005, 12:00	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,372	A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. An absolute delight and so long it will keep you busy for weeks __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 17th, 2005, 12:50	#3
India Edge Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 213	I really liked "Death of Vishnu". "Suitable Boy" was great. Recently read "The Sari Shop" by Rupa Bajwa - a small but powerful story - highly recommended. __________________ India pics India vids

May 17th, 2005, 13:00	#5
readmymind curious soul Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: california Posts: 137	i have enjoyed reading both, A Suitable Boy and A Fine Balance . i have also read a few books by author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Sister of my Heart was very good, in my opinion. one of her other books, The Mistress of Spices, is being made into a movie. also, God of Small Things, by Arundhati Roy, was recommended to me and i found it to be quite moving. one way i've found other books was to go to my local library and do a search on india. happy reading !! __________________ *~ everything is right for it's place and time ~*

May 17th, 2005, 13:08	#6
xealot Longing for India ... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canberra Australia Posts: 195	INDIA - A Million Mutinies Now by V.S Naipaul is what I'm currently in the middle of. It's great so far and is giving me an amazing insight into South Indian Culture! __________________ Laziness is not a real word! It's most literal translation is "Differing Priorities"

May 17th, 2005, 12:55	#4
vanvolkin2 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 9	I knew I was asking the right people. I've added both books to my list. Thanks!

May 17th, 2005, 20:20	#7
Auntyji One tight slap! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New York Posts: 323	"Riot" by Shashi Tharoor "Listening Now" by Anjana Appachana "Hullabaloo in the Guava Orchard" by Kiran Desai "A House for Mr. Biswas" by VS Naipaul Just a few names to add to the suggestions above-happy reading!

May 17th, 2005, 20:42	#8
Wander Whai Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Plainsboro New Jersey Posts: 40	My favorites 1) A house for Mr.Biswas by V.S Naipaul 2) The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri 3) God of Small things by Arundathi Roy __________________ Wander Whai

May 17th, 2005, 20:55	#9
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,101	You liked "Riot," Auntiji? I thought it was one of the worst books ever written-- laughably, embarrassingly bad. Shashi trying to write a sex scene? Painful . . .

May 17th, 2005, 21:21	#10
fotowallah Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 9	Okay, I'll give you my short list of indian fiction and nonfiction, not in any particular order: Vikram Seth...read him. He's amazing. But especially read A Suitable Boy. It's a very long book but every word is brilliant. Raj Kamal Jah...his first novel was called The Blue Bedspread, his latest is called A Fear of Heights or something like that William Dalrymple...okay, he's not indian, but he should be an honorary indian or something. His nonfiction books on india are great, well-informed, and well written. Try The City of Djinns (about Delhi) or The Age of Kali. Anita Desai...anything by her is good. Try any one of the 3 or 4 novels that have been runners up for the Booker Prize. Amitav Ghosh...a great Bengali writer. The Circle of Reason is good, as is his latest called The Hungry Tide (about Sundarbans). RK Narayan, of course. He has written great fiction about south india as well as good, readable re-writes of some of the great indian myths, epics and folk tales. I've lost count of how many novels he's written. Try any of the Malgudi Tales, or a book called The Guide. Chasing the Monsoon is a decent book by a westerner (Alex Frater) who travels with the monsoon as it progresses from the tip of Kerala across india. Okay, I hope I mentioned some that you haven't read yet. That's the short list. Seriously.

May 17th, 2005, 22:01	#13
Sonomama Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: India Posts: 56	"A Strange and Sublime Address" by Amit Chaudhuri I bought a book with a title "Three Novels" published by Picador which includes, in addition to the above, "Afternoon Raag" and "Freedom Song". Among these three I like the first one best. No extraordinary things happen in this novel, just everyday life of ordinary people is described. But it's written in beautiful prose, illuminated by a subtle lighting from an unexpected angle, making everything from taking a nap to visiting relatives look like a mysterious affair which may imply different things to different people.

May 17th, 2005, 22:14	#14
Gayamom Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 86	If you can find a copy, please read The Journey by Indira Ganesan, a fine writer who was shortlisted for Granta's Best Young Writer award a few years ago. Why this amazing writer does not get more press is beyond me. I'll second the vote for Amitav Ghosh. In an Antique Land and Circle of Reason are the kinds of books one reads and re-reads. Being a sci-fi fan, I even appreciated (but couldn't finish) his somewhat sad attempt at the genre, The Calcutta Chromosome. A Bend in The River and A House for Mr. Biswas are classics. Although I don't like giving misanthropic Mr. Naipaul the knod, what can one do? He's brilliant. I guess he hasn't been mentioned because he needs no mention. Salman Rushdie's The Ground Beneath Her Feet is his best work in years. Funny and dense, like all his better stuff, with loads of references both obscure and not. And he got to work with Bono and then marry some sort of super-model who is also a great cook. Life is so unfair. Not in the same class as the other writers (IMHO) but with good prose that gets the nostalgia glands working: Amit Chaudhuri and Jhumpa Lahiri. I'm going to be checking out many of the books mentioned by other posters. Many thanks for this thread. -- GM

May 17th, 2005, 22:32	#15
ploink ...thori si pagal hai vo... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 339	I'm in the middle of The Anger of Aubergines by Bulbul Sharma. A collection of short stories - and recipes! I'm also in the middle of Everybody loves a good drought by P. Sainath. It's not fiction, but recommended reading. I hope they have good rains in the Thar (and wherever) this year. __________________ But rather, ten times rather, die in the surf, heralding the way to that new world, than stand idly on the shore! -Florence Nightingale

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