Fantastic Indian English Literature: 5 Must-Read Books

[Schrodingerscat]

"Indian English literature (IEL), also known as Anglo-Indian literature refers to the body of work by writers in India who write in the English language and whose native or co-native language could be one of the numerous languages of India"

- Wiki

Well, I am not really a fan of quoting Wikipedia as source, but I felt that they defined IEL very precisely. I feel that everyone has to read at least one book which is set in a complete foreign land, with a drastically different culture than own. Same reason I picked " Disgrace" by Coetzee. Thus, my list of 5 novels by Indian English authors for you.

1. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

A novel set in post independence era, is about two Indian Punjabi families- Mehra and Kapoors. It's about how they find 'a suitable groom' for the Lata- youngest girl in Mehra family.Rich with many characters, it talks about social and political problems in India in a unique, satirical way. This 1349 page book has many plots and subplots which converge into a ending. What I love most about this book is that all characters are well developed. Even the minor ones.

2. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie

Magical realism that is intertwined beautifully with history of India from colonial days to post independence days. The story moves across various cities in India. A story of a boy- Salim Sinai, born at midnight of 14 August 1947, the precise moment India got independence. They made a movie on it (which sucks compared to book, yet worth a watch). You just cannot miss this one!

3. Calcutta Chromosome by Amitav Ghosh

This is picture of Calcutta Chromosome from my insta account :)

Anyway, this book is a fine mix of mythology, Hindu beliefs, mysticism, medical science (especially the research on malaria). This book is what you call 'unputdownable'. The novel 'Hungry Tide' by same author is also worth a read.

4. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpha Lahiri

A collection of 9 short stories that mostly revolve around lives of people in India and Indians those who have settled in USA. It stresses on complexities of various relationships,families and people. My most favorite stories are"A Temporary Mater', 'Interpreter of Maladies' and 'Third and Final Continent'.

5. Five Point Somone by Chetan Bhagat

It's a page-turning story of lives of 3 students in most prestigious engineering school- IIT (Indian Institute of Technology, you can say it's equivalent of MIT in India). They have GPAs that are around 5 (hence below average on 10 scale). How they make through their lives in hyper- competitive environment in this school. This novel makes a lighthearted comment on overall education system in India. It can be put in YA (Young Adult).

Thanks!

#booksuggestions

[vekin]

You know I enjoy reaidng a lot and I also like reading this kind of books, I gonna try to find one of them to read.

Thank you very much for sharing!

[Schrodingerscat]

Welcome!

[vekin]

Time for a part 2?

[HookingSwan]

Thank you too, for sharing

I feel like I may try it out

[vekin]

maybe you can make a mytake about Portuguse books?

[Schrodingerscat]

Yea, I'd like a post about Portuguese books :)

[HookingSwan]

Ok sure

After my exams 😂

[vekin]

When will they be?

[HookingSwan]

@vekin

in about 3 weeks time

[vekin]

Good luck coming weeks with preparation and your exams already

[HookingSwan]

@vekin

thank u :)

[justbanANNAz]

very interesting, ill keep these at the back of my mind. i was expecting to see 'a passage to india' on this list too.

[Schrodingerscat]

I have heard about it but I haven't read it. That's why
:)

[justbanANNAz]

fair enough :) these stories look better anyway lol

[candyaurora]

I have read "The God of small things" and "The white tiger" and I really enjoyed them.

[Schrodingerscat]

Nice!
I have read White Tiger recently. I liked it. :)
But that was after I made this list haha