Indian Literature

[Lydia Jamyoung]

Since i have made it my mission to read all the books in the BBC's "100 books to read before you dies" list...(well except for war an d peace and crime and punishment), i thought i would start with some Indian Lit, because i love Indian Lit.
A fine balance by Rohinton Mistry is one excellent book. It is a book about politics, and lifestyle.
The book tells the stories of Om and Ishvar, who are of a lower caste and are regarded as untouchables, and their bid to become tailors and become people of worth; Dina Dahlal, who was from a wealthy family but life  was not so kind to her; Maneck who is going to college as a back up plan and who, while in college befriends Avinash, and Avinash, a student leader who teaches Maneck Chess and politics, and whose life is turned inside out when a state of emergency is declared in India. 

Line Vikas Swarup's Q&A (slumdog millionaire), the book provides a really distinctive description of India and its Inhabitants during Ghandi's era.

Which Indian Literature do you like?

[Charlie]

Hi Lydia,

I'm also trying to look for books outside my normal "crime and more crime" genre that I'm always drawn to. Sometime back I read "Coolie" by Mulk Raj Anand. Its about an Indian coolie and the struggles he faced as a member of the lower caste.It also showed the relationship between the Indian and Muslim community at that time, as well as a glimpse of the realities of colonial rule on the coolies.
 I'm inspired to look for more Indian literature.

[James Wamathai]

I'm also a bit fan of Indian literature and Asian literature in general. Aravind Adiga & his book 'White Tiger' are a new favourite. I've put 'A Fine balance' on my wish list.

[Aamera]

I loved reading White Tiger.

It was different from the writing from my favourite Indian authors - albeit those with a Western edge like Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy - but it had a comfortable narrative feel which flowed really well.

For those interested in Indo-Kenyan authors you should try Braz Menezes' Just Matata ... the Kenyan references make it very familiar - and after reading it, you drive round Nairobi like a tourist discovering familiar landmarks all over again.

[AKenyanGirl]

I've read quite some, on India and by Indian writers.

If only I could find them on my bookshelf lol. I'll let you know when I do. 

 

[Nyambura]

I confess I'm yet to sample Indian lit BUT someone has offered to ease me into it by loaning me his copy of 'The marriage bureau for rich people' Farahad Zama...

 

On Wednesday, June 27, 2012 10:39:17 PM UTC+3, Lydia Jamyoung wrote:

[Beenduta]

I have read The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan.

It's about  Mehrunnisa, who became the legendary Empress of the Mughal Empire. It tells of her quest to win the emperor (then prince) heart until he marries her. Interesting read.

On Wednesday, June 27, 2012 10:39:17 PM UTC+3, Lydia Jamyoung wrote:

[Prina]

A Fine Balance is one of my favourite books! If you liked his style of writing, I recommend you check out books by the following authors:

 

1) Amitav Ghosh - particularly The Glass Palace and Sea of Poppies

2) Vikram Seth - A Suitable Boy

3) Vikram Chandra - Red Earth and Pouring Rain and Sacred Games

 

I've read about 70 books on the BBC list - it's a great reference list!