The novel “The Guide” by R. K. Narayan tells the story of Raju, a tourist guide in a small Indian town. His life takes unexpected turns after he meets Rosie, a dancer unhappy in her marriage.
Raju’s choices lead him from being a guide to taking on a very different role as a spiritual figure, with his past catching up to him in surprising ways. The story explores his transformation and the relationships that define his journey.
“The Home and the World” by Rabindranath Tagore explores the tension between tradition and modernity in early 20th-century Bengal.
The story follows Bimala, a woman caught between the ideals of her husband, Nikhil, who values reason and harmony, and the fiery nationalism of Sandip, a charismatic leader.
As Bimala becomes drawn to Sandip’s vision, the relationships between the three characters begin to unravel, reflecting the larger struggles within the country during this time.
“Kim” by Rudyard Kipling follows the life of a young orphan boy in British-ruled India. Kimball O’Hara, known as Kim, becomes a street-smart child who blends into the vibrant and diverse cultures around him.
He gets swept into a world of espionage as he serves as a spy for the British Secret Service while also accompanying a Tibetan monk on a spiritual journey.
The story paints a vivid picture of India’s landscapes, from bustling cities to quiet mountains, and explores themes of identity and friendship through Kim’s adventures.
The novel “Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie follows the life of Saleem Sinai, a boy born at the exact moment India gained independence in 1947. Tied to the nation’s history, his life reflects the country’s struggles and transitions.
Saleem discovers he has telepathic powers and a mystical connection to other children born at the same time. The story mixes personal and political events, creating a rich tapestry of magical realism and historical backdrop.
The novel “A Passage to India” by E. M. Forster explores the tensions between British colonial rulers and native Indians in the early 20th century.
It follows the friendship between Dr. Aziz, an Indian Muslim, and Cyril Fielding, a British schoolmaster, as misunderstandings and cultural divisions arise.
A turning point occurs when Aziz is accused of assaulting an Englishwoman during an outing to the Marabar Caves, unraveling the fragile relationships between the characters.
“A Suitable Boy: A Novel” by Vikram Seth is a sprawling story about family, marriage, and politics in post-independence India. The book follows Lata, a young woman whose mother is determined to find her the perfect husband, and her journey through love and societal pressures.
Alongside her story, it weaves in the lives of four families, capturing the complexities of tradition, modernization, and relationships in a rapidly changing world.
Aravind Adiga’s “The White Tiger” tells the story of Balram Halwai, a man born in a poor village in India who rises to become a wealthy entrepreneur.
Told through letters Balram writes to a Chinese premier, the novel explores his journey from a servant to a self-made businessman.
The story takes sharp turns, with moments like Balram’s experiences as a chauffeur for a corrupt family or his reflections on the deep class divides in India. It’s a dark and fascinating look at ambition and survival in modern India.
“2 States: The Story of My Marriage” by Chetan Bhagat tells the story of Krish and Ananya, who come from two very different Indian cultures. Krish is Punjabi, and Ananya is Tamilian.
The novel follows their struggle to convince their families to accept their relationship, dealing with cultural clashes, family expectations, and generational differences.
The story explores love, humor, and the challenges that arise when two families from opposite backgrounds come together.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote “Anandamath,” a novel set during the late 18th century in Bengal. The story follows a group of rebels who form a brotherhood to fight against British colonial rule.
The rebels, inspired by their love for the land they call their mother, band together under the guidance of a wise leader. The novel also includes the famous hymn “Vande Mataram,” which became a symbol of Indian nationalism.
Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s “Aranyak” paints a vivid picture of life in the forests of Bihar. The story follows Satyacharan, a city man who takes a job managing forested land. Through his encounters, he grows connected to the wilderness and the people living there.
The book captures the beauty of nature and explores the struggles of the villagers, their customs, and their beliefs. Satyacharan’s journey reflects the tension between urban life and the simplicity of rural existence.
“The Bachelor of Arts” by R. K. Narayan follows Chandran, a young man navigating his final years in college and the challenges of adulthood. Set in the fictional town of Malgudi, the story captures his experiences with love, tradition, and his search for purpose.
Chandran falls deeply for a girl he sees by chance, faces heartbreak, and questions societal expectations while trying to find his own path. The book paints a vivid picture of life in pre-independence India and explores themes of family and individual desires.
Chetan Bhagat wrote “Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT,” a story about three friends—Hari, Alok, and Ryan—navigating life at one of India’s most competitive engineering colleges.
The novel explores their struggles with academic pressure, friendships, and personal ambitions. Their unconventional ways and decisions often lead to humorous and thought-provoking moments, offering a glimpse into the lives of students at IIT.
“The Great Indian Novel” by Shashi Tharoor reimagines India’s history through the framework of the Mahabharata. It takes key events from the country’s independence movement and blends them with characters and stories from the ancient epic.
Figures like Gandhi, Nehru, and others are cleverly recast as characters from the Mahabharata, offering a satirical and thought-provoking take on politics, culture, and society in modern India.
The novel “The Hungry Tide” by Amitav Ghosh takes readers to the Sundarbans, a remote region of islands and mangrove forests in India. It follows Piya, a marine biologist searching for river dolphins, and Kanai, a translator uncovering past secrets.
The terrain is dangerous, with unpredictable tides and threats from wildlife, but the lives of the characters are equally tumultuous as they navigate love, survival, and identity in this unique and fascinating setting.
Paul Mark Scott wrote “The Jewel in the Crown,” a story set during the final years of British rule in India. It begins with the arrest of an Indian man accused of assaulting an Englishwoman, which exposes the tensions between colonizers and the people they control.
The book explores the characters’ struggles as they navigate prejudice, power, and loyalty in a country on the brink of independence.
“The Man-Eater of Malgudi” by R.K. Narayan tells the story of Nataraj, a peaceful printer in the small town of Malgudi, whose life is upended when a taxidermist named Vasu moves into his attic.
Vasu is loud and disruptive, with a knack for causing trouble, and he even begins planning to kill a temple elephant for his work. The book explores how an ordinary man handles the chaos brought by someone so destructive and self-centered.
It features Narayan’s usual mix of humor and thoughtful storytelling.
The story in “Mr. Sampath - The Printer of Malgudi” revolves around Mr. Sampath, a printer in the fictional town of Malgudi, and his unexpected partnership with a struggling writer named Srinivas.
Together, they launch a newspaper, leading to a series of misadventures that highlight both their ambitions and flaws. The plot takes an interesting turn when Mr. Sampath becomes involved in the world of filmmaking, pulling both men into personal and professional chaos.
The book paints a vivid picture of life in a small town, with characters that feel real and situations that blend humor and irony.
“The Raj Quartet” by Paul Scott is a series that captures the final years of British rule in India. It revolves around the lives of British officials, their families, and the Indian population during the 1940s.
The story explores complex relationships, cultural tensions, and historical shifts. A pivotal moment occurs when a young British woman, Daphne Manners, faces a traumatic event that sets off ripples across both communities.
The books offer a look at personal and political struggles in a time of great upheaval.
The novel “Untouchable” by Mulk Raj Anand tells the story of a single day in the life of Bakha, a young man who belongs to India’s lowest caste. Bakha cleans latrines for a living and faces constant humiliation and rejection from society.
The story captures his struggles as he deals with the harsh realities of untouchability, an accidental encounter with someone from a higher caste, and his contemplations about a future where his fate might be changed by technology or social reform.
“Ajaya: Rise of Kali” by Anand Neelakantan offers a retelling of the Mahabharata from the perspective of the Kauravas, particularly Duryodhana.
The story questions the traditional notions of heroism and villainy, presenting the events of the epic through the eyes of those often regarded as the antagonists.
The book sheds light on caste struggles, politics, and the ethics of war in ancient India, challenging readers to see familiar characters in a new way.
Anand Neelakantan’s “Ajaya: Roll of the Dice” tells the story of the Mahabharata from the perspective of the Kauravas, often painted as the antagonists. It focuses on Duryodhana, showing his motivations, struggles, and ideals in a society riddled with inequality and power games.
The book highlights the conflicts between dharma and ambition, where characters navigate a world shaped by caste, politics, and privilege.
“Battle for Bittora” by Anuja Chauhan is about Jinni, a young woman working in Mumbai, who gets drawn into politics when her grandmother persuades her to run for Parliament from their hometown, Bittora.
Her opponent is Zain, her childhood friend and former crush, whose family stands for everything hers opposes. The story blends sharp humor with the chaos of Indian elections, showing the ups and downs of love, family, and ambition.
The novel “The Coolie” by Mulk Raj Anand tells the story of Munoo, a young boy from a poor village in India, who moves from place to place searching for work and better opportunities.
The book follows his experiences as a servant, factory worker, and rickshaw puller, shedding light on the harsh realities of poverty and exploitation during colonial-era India.
Munoo’s journey takes him through different parts of society, exposing the deep inequalities and struggles faced by the underprivileged.
The book “Cuckold” by Kiran Nagarkar tells the story of the unnamed Rajput prince, known as the Maharaj Kumar, who is married to Meera, a woman deeply devoted to Lord Krishna.
Set in 16th-century Mewar, the story explores the prince’s struggles with love, betrayal, and political ambition. It weaves his personal frustrations with the larger backdrop of courtly intrigue and power struggles during a turbulent era in Indian history.
The tension between his attempts to win Meera’s affection and her unshakable loyalty to her divine love creates a unique and unforgettable narrative.
R.K. Narayan’s “The Dark Room” focuses on the life of Savitri, a housewife in a small South Indian town, who struggles with her role in a patriarchal society. Her husband, Ramani, is domineering and unfaithful, leaving her to endure emotional neglect.
Feeling trapped and humiliated, she eventually attempts to break free from her oppressive life. The story paints a vivid picture of Savitri’s inner conflict and the societal norms that confine her, offering a powerful look into family dynamics and gender roles in Indian culture.
The book “English, August” by Upamanyu Chatterjee follows a young Indian man named Agastya, who is posted to a small, rural town as part of his civil service training.
Agastya, steeped in urban life and Western influences, struggles to adapt to the slow pace of the town and the absurdities of bureaucracy.
The story dives into his boredom, his introspections, and his attempts to deal with the eccentric characters he meets, offering a humorous and sharp look at modern India.
“Girls Burn Brighter” by Shobha Rao tells the story of two friends, Poornima and Savitha, from a small village in India. Their deep bond is tested when life forces them apart. Poornima faces an arranged marriage, while Savitha must flee after a tragic event.
The novel follows their separate but connected journeys as they endure hardships and hold on to hope, always searching for a way to reunite. It highlights resilience and the lengths one might go to for friendship.
“Heat and Dust” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala tells the story of a young Englishwoman who travels to India to uncover the truth about her step-grandmother, Olivia.
Olivia’s scandalous affair with a local Nawab in the 1920s caused ripples through both the British colonial community and her own life.
The narrative shifts between the present and past, exploring how two women experience India in profoundly different ways, yet share a sense of fascination and conflict with its culture and expectations.
“In Custody” by Anita Desai follows Deven, a small-town Hindi teacher, as he gets the chance to interview Nur, a fading Urdu poet he admires.
What starts as a dream opportunity turns into a chaotic and disheartening journey, exposing Deven’s struggles with his own limitations and the challenges of preserving art in a changing world.
The book explores his disillusionment, flawed relationships, and the clash between idealism and harsh reality.
“Independence: A Novel” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is set in the turbulent period of India’s partition in 1947. The story revolves around three sisters—Priya, Deepa, and Jamini—whose lives are upended as the country is torn apart.
Each sister faces personal struggles while navigating the shifting social and political landscape. Their bond is tested by love, betrayal, and choices that could lead them down very different paths.
The “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling centers on Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle. He grows up under the care of animals like Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, while facing threats from Shere Khan, a tiger.
The book also includes other standalone stories about the natural world, such as “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi,” which features a brave mongoose defending a family from cobras.
“The Serpent and the Rope” by Raja Rao follows the journey of Ramaswamy, a young Indian philosopher, as he navigates his spiritual beliefs and personal relationships. The story moves between India and France, reflecting on themes of tradition, identity, and self-discovery.
Ramaswamy’s marriage to Madeleine, a French woman, becomes a focal point that highlights their cultural and philosophical differences. The novel also draws on Indian mythology and philosophy, blending them into the narrative as Ramaswamy searches for meaning and truth.
The novel “Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress)” by Satyajit Ray follows the adventures of Feluda, a brilliant detective, as he investigates a peculiar case involving a young boy who claims to remember a past life in a golden fortress.
The boy’s vivid memories attract criminals seeking hidden treasure, pulling Feluda into a race across Rajasthan’s deserts and palaces to uncover the truth. The story combines mystery, action, and moments of warmth between the characters.
“All the Lives We Never Lived” by Anuradha Roy tells the story of Myshkin, a man reflecting on his childhood. His mother, Gayatri, leaves their home in 1930s India, pursuing a life of independence and art.
Set against the backdrop of colonial India and World War II, the book explores the personal impact of larger historical events. Through Myshkin’s memories, we see his longing for the mother he lost and the choices she made that shaped both their lives.
The book “Chhinnamastar Abhishap” by Satyajit Ray follows the detective Feluda as he investigates a mysterious death tied to an ancient curse linked to a temple of the goddess Chhinnamasta.
The story takes place in a rural setting, where historical secrets and suspicious characters add to the intrigue. As Feluda uncovers clues, the plot reveals a mix of greed, betrayal, and eerie superstitions surrounding the temple.
With his sharp mind, Feluda untangles the mystery, leading to an unexpected truth.