Top 3 India-related books?

whatsilliness

top 3 India-related books you feel one must read before going there?
fiction or non fiction.

Dr Funkenstein

I'm reading 'The Age Of Kali' by William Dalrymple at the moment and it's proving to be one of best-researched and well-written books on India that I've yet come across. It's pretty pessimistic but he's got a great eye for irony and seems to be simultaneously enthralled and appalled by India. He's equally at home with Bollywood millionaires as he is with Bihar villains. A very good journalist. I like him a lot.

2 other recommendations: 'Are You Experienced?' by William Sutcliffe. Laugh-out-loud funny piss-take of Western backpackers in India.

And 'India in Slow Motion' by Mark Tully. Similar to Dalrymple but lacking the humour and breadth of subject-matter.

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wonderwomanusa

Some of the most important info about India is in the introductory pages of the Lonely Planet, and probably in the other guides, as well. Some of this is a lot more useful than the Upanishads.

What stuff? How to mail a package, for one. How to buy a train ticket. How to get from the airport to downtown Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata.

Also, at the ends of the info about specific cities: how to get there and how to get away. How to get around while you're there.

bijapuri

1. The Nolo press book on how to make a will
2. Footprints guidebook
3. The Gita

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SHIMLA

What a co-incidence, Dr.! I happen to be reading the same book too; having finished the "Lucknow" chapter, which was extremely well written. I also share your views on Dalrymple. His "City of Djinns" is wonderful too.

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Dr Funkenstein

Great writer, isn't he? 'City of Djinns' is next on my list.

wandering_kat

J, City of Djinns is awesome- i bought it at Heathrow and was halfway thru by the time i got to Delhi! Haven't quite finished it, but it really gave me a lot more interest in Delhi than i had before reading it.

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lyndy

I forgot everything I'd read when I saw all those flesh-eating touts out front of Delhi arrivals hall!

katcalls

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.

I've just started The Age of Kali and I have City of Djinns waiting for me when I'm done that.

The Age of Kali is great so far!

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