Set during the British Raj, E. M. Forster’s “A Passage to India” is regarded as a monumental work detailing the complex realities of colonialism.
First published in 1924, the novel explores the precarious relationship between the British and the Indians in the fictional city of Chandrapore.
It centers around Dr. Aziz, a young Indian Muslim physician, and his relationship with a visiting English schoolteacher, Adela Quested, and the elderly Mrs. Moore.
The narrative delves into themes of friendship, betrayal, and the collision of cultures, capturing the psychological nuances and the socio-political contestation of the period.
This Booker Prize-winning masterpiece by Salman Rushdie weaves the magical with the historical, offering a vivid portrayal of India’s transition from British colonialism to independence and partition.
“Midnight’s Children” follows the story of Saleem Sinai, born at midnight on the very day of India’s independence, whose life becomes inextricably linked with the fate of the nation.
His narrative is filled with a cast of over a thousand characters who are also “midnight’s children,” all born with magical abilities and together reflecting the diverse tapestry of the newly freed country.
“Swami and Friends,” the first of the trilogy set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, introduces readers to young Swaminathan and his adventures.
R. K. Narayan, known for his simple storytelling style, depicts the everyday life and transformation of Swami as he navigates the mundane and significant societal changes of the pre-independence era.
The warmth and humor with which Narayan writes have made “Swami and Friends” a timeless classic.
Another work by R. K. Narayan, “The Guide,” transports readers to the same fictional universe of Malgudi.
The novel unravels the life of Raju, a corrupt tour guide who, through a series of unexpected events, becomes a revered spiritual guru.
Through Raju’s exploits, Narayan explores themes of self-deception, responsibility, and transformation, once again showcasing his exceptional narrative gifts.
A historical romance set in the 7th-century south India, written by Kalki Krishnamurthy, “Sivagamiyin Sapatham” is a tale of love, war, and honor.
The novel centers on the Pallava dynasty and Chalukya kingdom’s struggle for power, intertwined with the story of the beautiful dancer Sivagami and her devotion to the sculptor father.
Originally written in Tamil, this epic narrative remains one of the most beloved in the genre, capturing the rich cultural fabric of the time.
“The Raj Quartet” is Paul Scott’s magnum opus, consisting of four separate but interrelated novels detailing the end of the British Empire in India.
Spanning from World War II to Indian independence, the series carefully examines the lives of British and Indian characters against the backdrop of political transformation.
Scott’s deep examination of class, race, and imperial dynamics resonate through his well-crafted prose and complex characters.
Set in the ecologically sensitive and geographically dramatic Sundarbans delta, “The Hungry Tide” by Amitav Ghosh is a story of environmental struggle and human endeavor.
The novel brings together a diverse cast, including an American marine biologist, a local fisherman, and a Delhi businessman, investigating themes of displacement, belonging, and survival in the midst of nature’s unpredictability.
In this satirical novel, Shashi Tharoor reimagines the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, setting it against the backdrop of 20th-century Indian politics.
“The Great Indian Novel” uses the skeleton of the classic story, interweaving it with historical figures and events, providing sharp critique and insightful humor into the workings of Indian political life.
In “A Suitable Boy,” Vikram Seth spins an expansive narrative focusing on the quest of Mrs. Rupa Mehra finding a suitable husband for her daughter Lata.
Set in post-independence, post-partition India, the sprawling novel canvasses a rich tapestry of characters and subplots that explore India’s complex social structures, its political realities, and the personal lives of its diverse citizenry.
“Randamoozham,” meaning 'second chance,' is a Malayalam novel by M. T. Vasudevan Nair which reinterprets the Mahabharata from the perspective of Bhima, the second Pandava brother.
This novel challenges traditional narratives, offering a version that humanizes the characters and delves deeper into their psychological makeup.
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “Sister of My Heart” tells the haunting story of two cousins, Anju and Sudha, raised as sisters in Calcutta.
Their bond is tested by family secrets, heartbreaks, and the divergent paths their lives take.
Divakaruni’s lyrical prose powerfully portrays the nuances of the tradition-bound world the women inhabit and their efforts to forge their own destinies.
Aravind Adiga’s striking debut, “The White Tiger,” winner of the Booker Prize, throws light on the vast disparities in contemporary Indian society through the eyes of Balram Halwai, a village boy who rises to become an entrepreneur in a ruthless India.
This rags-to-riches story is presented with a darkly comic voice, raising profound questions about fate, morality, and the Indian class struggle.
In “2 States,” a semi-autobiographical novel, Chetan Bhagat humorously narrates the challenges of an inter-state love marriage in India.
It delves into the cultural tug of war that ensues when a Punjabi boy and a Tamil girl decide to get married, exploring the comic and often complicated negotiation of Indian matchmaking.
“Aranyak,” written by acclaimed Bengali author Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, is a reflective novel that examines the relationship between humans and nature.
The narrative is set in the forests of Bihar and tells the story of a young man who finds solace and conflict amidst the wilderness.
Bandopadhyay’s signature lyricism shines through as he addresses the poignant theme of environmental degradation.
S. K. Pottekkatt’s “Oru Desathinte Katha,” which translates to “The Story of a Locale,” is a Malayalam novel that paints an intricate portrait of a village in Kerala and its inhabitants.
This Sahitya Akademi Award-winning work captures the spirit and culture of the village, illustrating the diverse lives and customs that define rural India.
“Yakshi” is a psychological thriller by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan, revolving around a college lecturer who, disfigured by an accident, believes he has married a shape-shifting serpent.
Set in Kerala, the novel uses elements of folklore and horror to explore deeper themes of love, identity, and human frailty.
A disconnected Italian narrator travels through India in search of a friend who has mysteriously disappeared in Antonio Tabucchi’s “Indian Nocturne.”
This short yet evocative novel is more a metaphysical journey than a physical one, capturing the sensory experience of India and the transient nature of human life.
Though not entirely set in India, a significant portion of Jeffrey Eugenides' “The Marriage Plot” transpires on the subcontinent.
The book revolves around three college graduates wrestling with love, mental illness, and the pursuit of happiness.
With a strong focus on one character’s spiritual quest in India, the novel contrasts western intellectual life with the allure of eastern spirituality.
Prequel to the blockbuster Indian film “Baahubali,” Anand Neelakantan’s “The Rise of Sivagami” is set in the fictional kingdom of Mahishmati.
The novel reveals the early days of Sivagami, plotting her journey from a vengeful girl to a wise and just queen.
It paints a complex political landscape filled with intrigue, ambition, and betrayal.
In “Sleeping on Jupiter,” Anuradha Roy explores the intersection of violence, religion, and sexuality against the backdrop of a small Indian temple town.
The story follows the life of a girl who, after surviving a traumatic childhood, returns to India to confront her past.
Roy’s poignant narrative touches on themes of memory, injustice, and the search for meaning.