November / India Reading Poll

[Scheherazade]

In November, we will be reading a book by an Indian author.

Please post your nominations in this thread.

This poll will close on October 31st.


Some information on the books:

1. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (http://www.amazon.com/Equal-Music-Novel-Vikram-Seth/dp/037570924X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980585&sr=8-1)

2. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry (http://www.amazon.com/Such-Long-Journey-Rohinton-Mistry/dp/0679738711/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980636&sr=1-1)

3. Q and A by Vikas Swarup
(http://www.amazon.com/Q-Novel-Vikas-Swarup/dp/0743267486/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980671&sr=1-2)
4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (http://www.amazon.com/God-Small-Things-Arundhati-Roy/dp/0060977493/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980720&sr=1-1)

5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Indian-Novel-Shashi-Tharoor/dp/1559701943/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980755&sr=1-1)

6. The Guide by RK Narayan (http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Novel-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039644/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980792&sr=1-1)

7. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiriwould (http://www.amazon.com/Interpreter-Maladies-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/0618101365/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980853&sr=1-1)

8. The Loom of Time by Kalidasa
(http://www.amazon.com/Loom-Time-K-Kalidasa/dp/0144000784/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980936&sr=1-4)
9.Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa (http://www.amazon.com/Umrao-Jan-Translated-Khushwant-Singh/dp/8125015930/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980992&sr=1-1)

[thelastmelon]

I'd like to nominate An Equal Music by Vikram Seth. :)

[mickitaz]

I would like to nominate Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry.

[Niamh]

I would like to nominate Q and A by Vikas Swarup

[Nightshade]

MIdnight children Salaman Rushdie ( is that the right title?)

[Pensive]

The God of Small Things.


MIdnight children Salaman Rushdie ( is that the right title?)

But as far as I remember haven't we discussed it before here?

[thelastmelon]

MIdnight children Salaman Rushdie ( is that the right title?)


But as far as I remember haven't we discussed it before here?

August 2007: Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie

[Nightshade]

AH my bad thought we might have but was too lazy to check....
OK changing nomination to _ The great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor
And Ill admit I know nothing about it other than its a satire and has a great title :D

[MAXIM]

The Guide by RK Narayan

[Scheherazade]

1. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

2. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry

3. Q and A by Vikas Swarup

4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

6. The Guide by RK Narayan


I was going to nominate The God of Small Things as well. Already started reading it once but could not get into it so maybe next time it will be better.

I am reading A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth at the moment and enjoying it better than other Indian books I have read.

[Nightshade]

Oi! what about my nomnation? :(

[Scheherazade]

It is there! :p

[Nightshade]

hummm Im getting all :confused: now

[thelastmelon]

5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor


Oi! what about my nomnation? :(

hummm Im getting all :confused: now

See, there it is. Number 5 on the list. :)

[rtc143]

I'd like to nominate The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh.

[Remarkable]

Hmmm,I'm not sure...It would be either "Shame " or "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" by Salman Rushdie.But "Shame" is about Pakistan,so probably not much related...I don't know...

[Scheherazade]

I'd like to nominate The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh.Welcome to the Forum, Rtc143! :)

To be able to nominate or vote in the polls, you need to have at least 50 posts. So, if you hurry up before the end of the month, your nomination can still be included.

[Madhuri]

Umrao Jaan Ada -- Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa

Its a novel in Urdu translated in English, about the life of a courtesan in the 19th century.

http://lotusreads.blogspot.com/2007/01/umrao-jaan-ada-by-mirza-mohammad-hadi.html

I would like to re-read; it has some good Urdu verses :)

[_Shannon_]

Can I nominate Kim by Kipling?? I dunno if that technically fits in....

[Madhuri]

All the authors mentioned here are known internationally...

Maybe someone could nominate -- Pinjar (The Skeleton) -- Amrita Pritam. She is a very well known author in India.

Here, is an overview of the story

Her most influential story -- at least in South Asian literature circles in the U.S. -- is Pinjar ("Skeleton"), a dark narrative of the cross-religious abductions of women that took place in the Partition. The protagonist, Pooro, is a Hindu woman who is abducted and forcibly married into a Muslim family. Importantly, in Pritam's novella Pooro doesn't simply become yet another female victim of religious violence. Though she remains scarred, Pooro (renamed Hamida) comes to accept her new identity, and prosper in a provisional, post-traumatic sort of way. She becomes an agent on behalf of other women whose lives are jeopardized, which is almost a happy ending.


About the author -- http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20051105/saturday/main1.htm

[Scheherazade]

Umrao Jaan Ada -- Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa

Its a novel in Urdu translated in English, about the life of a courtesan in the 19th century. Is it available in English on amazon, Madhuri? If so, could you please provide a link?
Can I nominate Kim by Kipling?? I dunno if that technically fits in....Kipling is an English writer so, even though most of his works take part in India, he does not qualify.

[wilbur lim]

After a lengthy time of searching and musing,I conceive that Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri would befits.The link is literally hither http://www.amazon.com/Interpreter-Maladies-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/039592720X/ref=pd_sim_b_1
It is virtually prohibitive to buy this book for it is $11.16 and now is in stock.If you reject to buy,then you can search inside the book,which I relish.

[Madhuri]

Is it available in English on amazon, Madhuri? If so, could you please provide a link?

I found this on Amazon -- http://www.amazon.com/Umrao-Jan-Translated-Khushwant-Singh/dp/8125015930/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221651710&sr=1-1

It is written in Urdu, but has been translated in English by Khushwant Singh.


After a lengthy time of searching and musing,I conceive that Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri would befits.The link is literally hither http://www.amazon.com/Interpreter-Maladies-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/039592720X/ref=pd_sim_b_1
It is virtually prohibitive to buy this book for it is $11.16 and now is in stock.If you reject to buy,then you can search inside the book,which I relish.

This book has short stories. Can we read short stories or does it have to be a full novel?

[JBI]

How about "The Loom of Time" - a selection of translated works by the poet/playwright Kalidasa, available from Penguin. (I nominate).

[blazeofglory]

How about "The Loom of Time" - a selection of translated works by the poet/playwright Kalidasa, available from Penguin. (I nominate).

I guess that could be the best choice.

[Scheherazade]

Nominations so far:

1. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

2. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry

3. Q and A by Vikas Swarup

4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor

6. The Guide by RK Narayan

7. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiriwould

8. The Loom of Time by Kalidasa

9.Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa

[Scheherazade]

Some information on the books:

1. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (http://www.amazon.com/Equal-Music-Novel-Vikram-Seth/dp/037570924X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980585&sr=8-1)

2. Such a Long Journey by Rohinton Mistry (http://www.amazon.com/Such-Long-Journey-Rohinton-Mistry/dp/0679738711/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980636&sr=1-1)

3. Q and A by Vikas Swarup
(http://www.amazon.com/Q-Novel-Vikas-Swarup/dp/0743267486/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980671&sr=1-2)
4. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (http://www.amazon.com/God-Small-Things-Arundhati-Roy/dp/0060977493/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980720&sr=1-1)

5. The Great Indian Novel by Shashi Tharoor (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Indian-Novel-Shashi-Tharoor/dp/1559701943/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980755&sr=1-1)

6. The Guide by RK Narayan (http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Novel-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143039644/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980792&sr=1-1)

7. Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiriwould (http://www.amazon.com/Interpreter-Maladies-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/0618101365/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980853&sr=1-1)

8. The Loom of Time by Kalidasa
(http://www.amazon.com/Loom-Time-K-Kalidasa/dp/0144000784/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980936&sr=1-4)
9.Umrao Jaan Ada by Mirza Mohammad Hadi Ruswa (http://www.amazon.com/Umrao-Jan-Translated-Khushwant-Singh/dp/8125015930/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222980992&sr=1-1)

I have voted for The Gof of Small Things but won't mind reading Interpreter of Maladies either.

[barbara0207]

I voted for 'The God of Small Things' because the book impressed me very much and I'd love to reread it.

[Niamh]

come on Q and A!!

[pgwodehousefan]

I would go for Room On The Roof and its sequel Vagrants In The Valley by Ruskin Bond (worship at his altar). The book is an amazingly sensitive portrayal of friendship and Anglo Indians in post Independence India.

[Scheherazade]

Only five people have voted? :(

[Niamh]

I think the genre of the month have overshadowed it!
And i've been waiting all year to nominate and vote for Q and A. :(

[Scheherazade]

Only 6 votes so far?

[Niamh]

thats dismal.
I even posted about it in litnet town crier.

[lugdunum]

tough choice...

interpreter of Maladies seems quite interesting, but does it really qualify?
Not that I really know anything about it but I've looked it up on Wiki and read that it was written by an indian american and takes place in the US if i understand properly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpreter_of_maladies)

Just asking, so that I don't waste my vote on something that might get disqualified :)

[Scheherazade]

tough choice...

interpreter of Maladies seems quite interesting, but does it really qualify?
Not that I really know anything about it but I've looked it up on Wiki and read that it was written by an indian american and takes place in the US if i understand properly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpreter_of_maladies)

Just asking, so that I don't waste my vote on something that might get disqualified :)I think it should be removed from the list.

Thanks, Lugs! :)

[Scheherazade]

Going once...

[Scheherazade]

Going twice...

[Jozanny]

Sorry all, I love multi-culturalism and all, and if I could be Superwoman I would do every forum book once a month, but I am always running behind myself, it is my temporal characteristic as an mock-anguished procrastinating author who wants everything to fit perfectly :), and I am far too behind right now--partly because I have to relocate off my floor, soon, for 7 to 12 weeks, and I can't sort of shut this off, forget the laundry too, and personal hygiene, and just work!

But I will attempt to dedicate myself to a full reading in the forums about once or twice a year.