Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is a city that never sleeps.
With its vibrant streets, diverse cultures, and rich history, it has been the muse for numerous authors who have taken its essence and weaved it into the fabric of their storytelling.
Here, we explore some of the literary works that have captured the spirit of Mumbai.
Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children” is a profound narrative braided with the strands of magical realism and historical fiction.
It tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born at the stroke of midnight, the moment India gained independence from British rule.
His life is forever intertwined with the fate of the nation, and as he narrates his family’s history, Mumbai emerges as a central character—a chaotic and pulsating entity that mirrors the complexities of Saleem’s own existence.
Another Rushdie masterpiece, “The Moor’s Last Sigh,” spans generations while painting a vivid portrait of Mumbai through its protagonist, Moraes Zogoiby, affectionately called 'Moor.'
It is a tale of love, betrayal, and familial conflict, with the city’s evolving landscape serving as the backdrop for the Zogoiby family’s saga, capturing the cultural and political shifts within Mumbai.
Rohinton Mistry’s “A Fine Balance” is a deeply touching narrative set against the backdrop of the Emergency period in India during the 1970s.
The novel portrays the lives of four diverse individuals who come together in the city of dreams, Mumbai.
The city’s stark economic and social disparities are on full display as these characters form unexpected bonds while trying to maintain their balance amid the chaos.
“Shantaram” is a semi-autobiographical novel by Gregory David Roberts that recounts the story of a convicted Australian bank robber who escapes to India.
Mumbai becomes his refuge, a place of redemption and self-discovery.
The city’s dark underbelly is explored through his involvement with the local mafia, its slums, and the colorful spectrum of expatriates and locals who accompany him on his journey.
In “Such a Long Journey,” Rohinton Mistry takes us back to Mumbai of 1971.
The protagonist, Gustad Noble, is a bank clerk embroiled in a deceptive scheme.
The novel offers a peek into the Parsi community in Mumbai and provides commentary on the political turbulence of that era, all the while painting a heartfelt picture of a man trying to protect his family and integrity.
With “The Ground Beneath Her Feet,” Salman Rushdie uses the myth of Orpheus and fuses it with the tale of two star-crossed lovers who rise to fame in the music industry.
Mumbai is the birthplace of this rich narrative, and it imbues the story with a sense of rhythm, romance, and the pursuit of dreams that characterize the city.
Suketu Mehta’s “Maximum City” is a non-fiction exploration, but its vivid prose garners it a place in this list.
As a biographical tale of Mumbai, Mehta’s work is an intimate portrayal of the people and places that give the city its pulse.
From the bar dancers to the 'encounter cops,' Mehta offers insights into the lives that define Mumbai’s relentless spirit.
Aravind Adiga’s “Last Man in Tower” presents a microcosm of Mumbai through the residents of Vishram Society, a co-operative housing society earmarked for demolition.
The lure of money from a real estate developer pits neighbor against neighbor, illuminating the moral dilemmas faced by ordinary citizens in a rapidly modernizing city.
Jeet Thayil’s “Narcopolis” is an intoxicating novel that delves into the opium dens of 1970s Mumbai.
The city’s underbelly is unleashed in a tale that is both pungent and poetic, as Thayil’s characters navigate through a world of addiction, crime, and lost souls.
“The Satanic Verses,” arguably Salman Rushdie’s most controversial book, has scenes that float over Mumbai, integrating the city into its surreal and complex narrative.
The story begins with a miraculous event happening above the city, setting the stage for an exploration of identity and transformation.
Looking at Mumbai through the lens of class struggles, “The Space Between Us” by Thrity Umrigar narrates the bond between Sera, an upper-middle-class Parsi woman, and Bhima, her domestic worker.
The novel thoughtfully portrays the city as a place divided yet connected by the relationships fostered across economic lines.