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Favourite Indian Writer in English. Free Speech Host 2/5/2001 For now we'd skip the more interesting discussion about whether or not Sri Salman or Sir Vidya are Indian Writers in English. Let's talk about who our favourites are. If not these two gentlemen, then who? Arundhati? Seth? Mistry? All right, let's include all of South Asia, then. |
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Preeti 2/5/2001 ( 1 of 41 ) None of these. The only Indian author who really grips is Ghalib and Faiz. But then I am still learning urdu script. |
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Prem 2/5/2001 ( 2 of 41 ) Prem Naam Hai Mera, Not Chopra. Rushdie is the granddaddy of them all. Those who haven't read Haroun and the Sea of Stories should read it before passing judgements. Preeti, from when are Ghalib or Faiz I.W.E? |
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Preeti 2/5/2001 ( 3 of 41 ) Why, Prem, don't you know how to read ? |
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rav666 2/5/2001 ( 4 of 41 ) From my limited exposure, R K Narayan, Arundati Roy...... |
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Lamba 2/5/2001 ( 5 of 41 ) Why no one remembers R.K. Narayan or Khushwant Singh? I think his Train to Pakistan is a haunting and powerful book. But my personal favourite is Vikram Seth. He is a class apart. A very suitable boy indeed. |
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jeekay 2/5/2001 ( 6 of 41 ) I like Ruskin Bond, R.K. Narayanan, Khushwant Singh's "Train to Pakistan"and "My Story" by Kamala Das and her poems. |
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bbas 2/5/2001 ( 7 of 41 ) NO TRASH MAIL, PLEASE - GOOD STUFF IS WELCOME YES, RUSHDIE IS THE GRAND-DAD ALL RIGHT, BUT NOT SO MUCH FOR HAROUN AS FOR MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN. IT IS AN EPIC THAT EVERY INDIAN SHOULD READ. SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE NOBEL, I THINK. AND BY THE WAY, ANYONE WONDERED WHY NO INDO-ANGLIAN WRITER HAS EVER BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE NOBEL? IS THE NOBEL BEING HIGHLY POLITICISED OR RACIST, THEN? OR WILL THEY HAVE NOTHING BUT SERMONS ON THEIR PLATE? IF WINSTON CHURCHILL COULD BAG ONE FOR LITERATURE, WHY NOT THE LIKES OF RUSHDIE, AND HIS CHEAPER IMITATION, ARUNDHATI ROY? |
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sifar 2/5/2001 ( 8 of 41 ) V. S. Naipaul. Pankaj Mishra, Ms. Roy (I have not read her book, but I have read all her articles in various magazines). |
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rav666 2/5/2001 ( 9 of 41 ) sifar, i recommend 'The God of Small Things' |
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Prem 2/5/2001 ( 10 of 41 ) Prem Naam Hai Mera, Not Chopra. The God Of Small Things was one over-rated, over-hyped book written by a copywriter with an eye to the market, much like a Hindi masala filum with child-abuse, rape, incest, revolution, class-struggle and what not thrown in. One helluva contrived book. After reading this week's books section, I am now convinced that Sardar Khushwant Singh Uncle is my favourite Indian Author in English. But then what's in a name! Khushwant Singh, Khushamad Singh, one and the same thing. |
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sifar 2/5/2001 ( 11 of 41 ) Thanks for recommending Ms. Roy books. However, I have somehow developed aversion to famous things. I get to feel her energy just after reading her articles. She has so much of passion. I would love to just see her from a distance, and I am sure I am going to feel orgasmic. I love people being capable to loosing themselves. Another such guy till now was V.S. Naipaul. I am also in love with him. However, the intensity of my emotions lost it's passionate fervor after realizing very egotistical personality. I am reading a book by Paul Theroux, called Sir Vidia's shadow. It's beautiful book, some tinge of betrayal is their in his assessment of his friendship with Naipaul. I would suggest this book for sincerely, however, one would be able to justice with Naipaul only after reading his own book of letters between his father and himself, and his sister, Kamla. I swear to you had never read something so sincere in my life before. The book is called "Letters between father and son". I would also recommend the book review by pankajMishra in The New york review of books (just go on www.nybooks.com, and look for Pankaj Mishra.) |
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rav666 2/5/2001 ( 12 of 41 ) Prem, i think it's the cynic in u saying it :-) I too am against hype. But i'm honestly impressed by God of small things. It's not abt the storyline but the narrative style - that calls a spade a spade. Ms.Roy will go down in history as one of the women who saved me from becoming an MCP ;-) |
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jeekay 2/5/2001 ( 13 of 41 ) I am reading Vikram Chandra's 'Love and longing in Mumbai'. I am half way through the book and I like his style. His narrative style is good. Readability is one quality I admire.. and Mr.Chandra has it. |
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GB 2/5/2001 ( 14 of 41 ) definitely rushdie, the way he redefined the very genre makes him my favorite. And this here may be herecy , but quite like Thatcher, Rusdie changed the nature of the opposition (The Misra's and Roys:inflated egos created by strategic hobnobbing, methinks)which can not but tinker with the medium he as so wonderfully shaped into a palimpsest. Midnight, the Moor, Shame, each one a classic, searing satire that could shame any politico, except subcontinental ones, nach, to change their ways |
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Preeti 2/5/2001 ( 15 of 41 ) Rushdie-wushdie is simply-wimply unreadable-sheadable, anybody-shanybody you know-wo who-ho speaks-shpeaks like-shike this-wiss? I say read Vikram Seth. What simple prose and what a refined sensibility. A bit sentimentalish and mawkish maybe, but oh, my, what a neat looking sensitive man. Vikram CHandra looks like a college ruffian and going by the little I have read by him, seems to write like one too. Yikes! |
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badrinp 2/5/2001 ( 16 of 41 ) The only Vikram seth book i tried reading was one written in verses!..That was definitely not readable... Talking of simple prose, there is nobody to beat RK Narayan. His lucidity of plot and sharpness of characterization definitely make him one of India's greatest authors! Arundhati Roy is defnitely on top of my list. Again, the reasons, one simplicity and two, the immense passion with which she writes. I don't quite agree with one of the earlier messages titling roy as rushdie's cheaper imitation. Rushdie has got this insatiable urge to display his articulation skills which unfortunately results in a headache for many! Whats his problem in keeping it simple,huh? |
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jeekay 2/5/2001 ( 17 of 41 ) Preeti..don't go by looks..go by books |
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Shabnam 2/5/2001 ( 18 of 41 ) By any yardstick, my favourite is Amitava Ghosh and his Shadow Lines a classic. I am still to read the last book and wasn't so enamoured by his Calcutta Chromosome, but it was a good, gripping yarn, comparable to any in that genre. The Burma book seems a bit daunting as of now, but then in the beginning I was a bit put off by the Circle of Reason too when it came out. It took some time, just the first 20-30 pages or so before Ghosh just has you fascinatedly turning pages and how he weaves the past and present, like the warp and weft, so effortlessly, so seamlessly... |
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Tathagat 2/5/2001 ( 19 of 41 ) appa DeepO bhava ...its Arundhati, I told her she is probably a much awaited avatar, she shook her head in a non malayal fashion... clearly meaning no :). Mostly success comes of PR and ambition, content and luck or coincidance. long ago I read reviews of Vikram Seth's and Rooma Mehra's verse... found her better than him... yet look where is he n no one seems to know her. There are a loadz of good writing but neither they are Seth nor Ravi Shankar, Vilayat can't do PR, self respecting guy he is... Sonal Mansing dancing in the laps of religious right n fanatics... to git state recognition I git pisses off the way DaCunha does... and like many others... ambitions dancing naked... a mad desire to become somebody... and do whatever it takes to accomplish it.... is another form of corruption... yikes... reading "end of imagination" i fell (actually i rise in love, instead of falling) in love with her, "greater common good" made me cry so mooch |
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paddy 2/5/2001 ( 20 of 41 ) folks have any of you read " such a long journey" by Rohinton Mistry? i believe he is absolutely brilliant. G.V Desani's " All About H. Haterr" is another classic. Rushdie himself claims to have got his inspiration from desani! One crticism about Post- Colonial literature as they like to call it, has been that it doesen't give you any characters that remain with you for a long time and that a common man can identify with, but Mistry does away with that. Of course Rushdie's Salim Sinai is there but Gustad Noble in Mistry's " such a long...." is great, as also his characters in " tales from firozsha baug" |
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devika 2/5/2001 ( 21 of 41 ) How come everybody forgot Ruskin Bond? Unfortunately, the general perception is that he is a children's author , but that is far from the case. His prose is simple but not simplistic, and he brings to his stories and poems the experience of a life well lived. 'Our Trees still grow in Dehra' is a stunning collection of short stories; For an overview of his work, 'Delhi is not far' is perfect. Vikram Seth is , of course, a born storyteller. His 'The Golden Gate' is a book that evokes very strong reactions from people, but I loved it. Anita Desai is yet another author who completely understands human pstchology and puts her knowledge to good use in her books. |
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chandygs 2/5/2001 ( 22 of 41 ) Actually, the question should be: "Who are the best Indian 'story tellers' in the world?" In which case, the answers are as follows (in no particular ordering of skills or abilities): Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, Sonia Gandhi, Bal Thackeray, other politicians. The story they are telling: "We serve the country!" Ah, what powerful fiction! What genius story tellers!! What astonishing skills!!! World class levels of art produced!!! No Arundhati Roy, Ruskin Bond, Khushwant, and so on can EVER compare!!! |
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uma 2/5/2001 ( 23 of 41 ) R.K.Narayan. Most readable, most Indian. |
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Anita 2/5/2001 ( 24 of 41 ) My fav Indian-English Authors are Vikram Seth,R.K.Narayan,Ruskin Bond, Arundhathi Roy. |
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freshros 2/5/2001 ( 25 of 41 ) hi! our graet arundathi roy,any creative thinker would fall for her book 'GOD OF SMALL THINGS'.she is my idol writer |
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openmind 2/5/2001 ( 26 of 41 ) Jhumpa Lahiri comes to mind - although many readers picked up her 'Interpreter of Maladies and other stories' only after the Pulitzer prize (surprise!) was announced. Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni is OK too, although she relies too much on Indian exotica to carry her not-extraordinary stories. Vikram Seth is definitely a great writer. I recently read a book called 'A storehouse of tales' by contemporary Indian women writers - several good ones, incl. Madhu Kishwar, Sujata Sankranti... There are several more - Pankaj Mishra, Anita Desai, Bharti Kirchner; and several new ones I am yet to read - Manil Suri seems promising. |
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sapna 2/5/2001 ( 27 of 41 ) I would opt for Rohinton Mistry. His 'Fine Balance" deserves the accolades it received and is a celebration of man's instinct for survival rather than than a tragedy. His "tales from firozshah bhag' was realistic, rich and varied at the same time. Of course, I like R.K. Narayan and Tagore too. |
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ramnix 2/5/2001 ( 28 of 41 ) independant thought is essential to common sense!! It would have to be R.K.Narayan, Vikram Seth, Allan Sealy, Anita Desai, Geeta Hariharan and Arundati Roy's God of small things, I would say sucked. Dont get me wrong the language and effect was good but the art of good ol' story telling was lost in the perseverence to make it a very eloquent prose, but the human tension and sensitivity was not much found, But her non fiction book called For a greater comman good on the Narmada Bachao Andolan was awesome. I forgot the author of The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes , it won the crossword book of the year award that to was excellent book in the treatment of its theme. |
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vinay 2/5/2001 ( 29 of 41 ) My favourite Indian writer in English is none other than JAGVIR GOYAL for his excellent and none to second book THE FORLORN PHOENIX. Come what may, this book has no comparison ! |
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sanjugop 2/5/2001 ( 30 of 41 ) though the term Indian writer is still to be defined and demarcated from the rest...i assume them to be having hazy boundaries. my favorite authors are arundhati, sujata sankranti,jumpha, jaishree mishra...not necessarily in the same order..but no Shobha dev if i have to consider her books alone.Hey! i got only female authors.!! |
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anix 2/5/2001 ( 31 of 41 ) Not read much, but GOlden Gate (Vikram Seth) is definitely very high on my list. Jhumpa Lahiri, contrary to public opinion, was a big disappointment |
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bob147 2/5/2001 ( 32 of 41 ) Snakes and Ladders by Gita Mehta was the best book I read in english by an Indian author this year. |
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rigzin 2/5/2001 ( 33 of 41 ) Hi all!! My all time favorite Indo anglian writer is RK Narayan who recently passed away. I thoroughly enjoyed all his Malgudi based novels. His short stories are also very good. The last year ie 2001, I read Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies and I loved it. |
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india47 2/5/2001 ( 34 of 41 ) Shashi Deshpande for being able to write naturally without any of the postmodern fads. No artificial aids, no attempt to impress the west, no Indian exotica or erotica. Her world is that of the average middleclass indian woman. |
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shobha 2/5/2001 ( 35 of 41 ) Vikram Seth. He is very honest. |
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incaztec 2/5/2001 ( 36 of 41 ) Amitav Ghosh. For his considerable intellectual width. |
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sachi_m 2/5/2001 ( 37 of 41 ) salman rushdie, one of the best ever. |
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rajat99 2/5/2001 ( 38 of 41 ) Here is a surprise for everyone! Guess mine favourite writer! No! It is not Khushwant or Rushdie or Arundhati or Amitabh Ghosh. Not even Shobha de or Vikram Seth. It is JAGVIR GOYAL of 'The Forlorn Phoenix' and 'Love You Dad' fame. These books have touched me the way no other book could ever. Marvellous thoughts! Excellent expression! Love and regards,Sir Jagvir goyal ! |
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TylerD 2/5/2001 ( 39 of 41 ) Arundhati Roy. For the sheer beauty in her writing. I hope everyone gets to read her book "God of small things". Its one of the best books that i've ever read. |
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Nomad 2/5/2001 ( 40 of 41 ) test |
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funcrazy 2/5/2001 ( 41 of 41 ) Lets see where do we start...amit chaudhri (freedom song) upamanyu chatterji (English August), pankaj mishra (butter chicken in ludhiana), Akhil Sharma (An Obedient father), ...others are anurag mathur, ved mehta, pico iyer, rohinton mistry, vikram seth, mukul kesavan, etc. etc....they are all phenomenal...I can relate to their characters...they are me...I am them!! |
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