01JONAHWHALERANJIT HOSKOTE
This work of poetry has several maritime motifs, locations and characters. From the Ganga to Marine Drive and Jonah to Captain Ahab, Hoskote uses these locales and characters to talk about how the ocean is a medium of transformation, whether through trade or at times of war.
02
THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILLSUJATA MASSEY
Set in 1920s India, this book is the first in a proposed series featuring Perveen Mistry, Bombay’s first female lawyer, and passionate about women’s legal rights. What begins as the simple execution of a will escalates into murders while Perveen investigates the strange will.
03
CLOUDSCHANDRAHAS CHOUDHURY
Set in Bombay, this novel features two protagonists- the suave Parsi psychotherapist, Farhad Billimoria on a nostalgic jaunt around Bombay before he moves to San Francisco; and Rabi, a young man belonging to the Cloud people of Odisha who finds himself acting as caretaker to two old Odia Brahmins who are dismissive of his people. On the face of it, the book is about the inner lives of the characters in the book but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover that it’s really a portrait of India at 70.
04
CENTREPIECE: NEW WRITING AND ART FROM NORTHEAST INDIAPARISMITA SINGH (ED.)
Edited and compiled by Parismita Singh, 21 women authors and artists from Northeast India come together to explore the concept of ‘work’ and tell stories of street hawking, beer brewing, mothering, and dung collection. This anthology explores different ways of telling a story- from textile art to hashtag poetry. Here, traditional tribal art and modern sensibilities intersect to create a new language allowing women to share the stories that need telling.
05
ALL THE NAMES THEY USED FOR GODANJALI SACHDEVA
A collection of 9 short stories spanning centuries and continents, but tied together by one common theme- the characters’ struggle with fate. This work of speculative fiction looks at the different forces- censorship, technology and terrorism amongst others- that shape our lives in unexpected and often dangerous ways.
06
THE ONE WHO WROTE DESTINYNIKESH SHUKLA
Based in part on true stories from Shukla’s own family, this book spans more than five decades and three continents. It is a novel of immigration and assimilation, and of destiny and loss. With characters like an unfunny comedian, a girl dying prematurely of lung cancer, and a young man in search of Keith Richards, this book will make you laugh and cry at the same time.
07
GIRLS BURN BRIGHTERSHOBHA RAO
Poornima is a poor village girl waiting for an arranged marriage her father wants to secure for her. When she meets Savitha, she finds herself dreaming of a life beyond marriage and her village. When Savitha is driven away, Poornima leaves everything behind to search for her friend. This search takes her on a journey across India and finally to America. This is the inspiring story of two girls who don’t lose hope as they face harrowing obstacles.
No comments:
Post a Comment