Indian Readers discussion

A lot of new writers have come to the scene but who do you think is the best among them artistically not popularity.

I don't know any new writers :( Could you post a few names to help those like me get a better hang of what will be discussed in the few days ahead?

Ravinder Singh
Chetan Bhagat
Aravind Adiga
Amish Tripathi
are some new writers coming to the stage. I don't like any of them personally but if you know of any new good writers please confide.

Would like to name-drop Janice Pariat here

Ravinder Singh and Chetan Bhagat are simply awful. The rest I haven't ventured to read, so can't say.

Earlier Indian English writers were far better - Arun Kolatkar, Vikram Seth, Rohinton Mistry, etc. I don't see any new one even worth considering today.

Sticking to the topic, I'm afraid I don't find any kid on the block worth reading - there are scores of wonderful unread books that I'd rather pick than read authors who haven't even got their plot and characters right - it's as if every third person is writing a book and calling him/herself A PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

Ravinder Singh's first book I could only bear because it was a true account and I was curious about it's end - but tragic as it must be for him, for me it didn't work because it wasn't effectively written - he could be excused this one time for at least his sincerity to the content. But I don't want to read any other book by him, not even a second true-account.

He is immensely melodramatic, and tells instead of showing - he gets too repetitive in places like a dusty old cassette stuck in the player.

Chetan Bhagat - is a smart man who knows how to sell his stupid books to blind readers. Claims to represent the youth while all he does is repeat classic angsts and anxieties through melodrama and naïve, childish irritating prose.

Amitav Ghosh - I loved his non-fiction travelogue In an Antique Land: History in the Guise of a Traveler's Tale but found River of Smoke too unappealing and superficial on many counts. Although he isn't young like the other authors, the latter book was released in 2011 so I assume he counts. But I'm still willing to read his other stuff. He ain't that bad.

I tried reading some of the self-help book stuff that became recent best-sellers - heck! can't remember the titles or authors even! - but was so thoroughly disgusted by their pretenses and high-blown over-confident mannerisms that I abandoned them.

I hardly read recent Indian writers for that reason - most of my time's wasted over left-over scraps disguised as entrees.

Sangita wrote: "Surely, publishers (i.e. editors) could have helped make the writing better before they published it. Instead, they are helping make bad writing a habit.


Hmmm never thought that part :D"

Publishers won't bother as long as bad writing sells - the day these below-average writers starting writing better, their millions of copies will remain unsold - people do prefer those bad writers to good ones - so why would publishers go after these kids and tell them to improve their English and also their stories when they can simply print it and start earning good cash?

I'm not sure - we might see better writers again - one thing is, good writers will never write bad stuff, except for exceptional bad stuff that happens - and they too will come. It is also up to the publishers to recognize good ones from the bad. I don't think anything is permanent - just that till then I'm not going to waste more than a fistful of time and patience on works that don't fulfill me. I'll dump it and move ahead with something better.

It's like the cinema - more bad stuff is churned out and much appreciated - once in a while, somewhat better but still mediocre work too gets produced and is hailed as a masterpiece. And a rare gem surfaces once in a blue moon, and might be or might not be adequately appreciated. But I won't quit seeing movies, nor will I tolerate an insipid movie out of generosity.

Well , I am currently reading the last book in Shiva's Trilogy by Amish Tripathi and liking it a lot :) . Before that I had only read 1 book by an Indian author , Chetan Bhagat, didn't want to read any Indian author after that , I don't even know any other Indian author apart from these two . I was clearly surprised with the way Amish wrote this trilogy. I hope he continues to write that way :).

I might give it a try some time...

I'm not sure about that - people didn't read Mistry or Seth or Kolatkar only because they needed to pass their exams - they are amazing writers who don't write mediocre stuff, which is why they are widely read even today by people who don't have to clear exams. If there had been better, new books today, there'd be a section of people rushing to buy them like some people who rush to buy other mediocre writers.

From a writer's point of view (I'm a first-time Indian author as well), I guess, most of you are right in saying that the new Indian authors' writing isn't up to the mark (mine included). After Chetan Bhagat, most Indians who had nice tales to tell (and Indians do tend to be good story-tellers), but mediocre language skills, thought that they could share their stories as well. There's no harm in writing, right? They thought that if their quality was good they would be selected for publishing, else, they'd carry on with their lives as usual. It was kind of a gamble. I did the same, I must admit. However, after 8 rejections, my manuscript was selected!

After turning a "published author" (pun intended) I started focusing on what the readers expected out of a book. And now I realize what a byzantine task I have in front of me! So, for the past almost half a year, after almost finishing writing my 2nd book, I started focusing on my writing skills. Unfortunately, I didnt find any seminars/classes/author get-together sort of things to help authors write better (like they have in US and UK), though I'm still searching. As some of you have correctly pointed, the Indian literary scene will see an evolution cycle, so hopefully, the future writing would improve. For now, I could confidently say that my 2nd book would be much better than my first. Since I'd reached the climax of my 2nd book before starting studying for my writing skills, I've scrapped the whole 170 odd pages and have started writing again, the story remaining the same. Hopefully, as there's an evolution cycle for everything, even my writing skills will improve with every book I write.

Lit Bug wrote: "Sangita wrote: "Surely, publishers (i.e. editors) could have helped make the writing better before they published it. Instead, they are helping make bad writing a habit.


Hmmm never thought that p..."
I think bad writing is authors fault. writing is an art and should be kept like that. Hemingway wrote with simplicity which is beyond my imagination and still came out with works of art. Indian lit scene is getting ignored cause we don't have authors with guts people who believe in their work. Most of them like Chetan Bhagat and Amish are businessmen and know more about business than about writing.

Rupali wrote: "From a writer's point of view (I'm a first-time Indian author as well), I guess, most of you are right in saying that the new Indian authors' writing isn't up to the mark (mine included). After Che..."

That would be great.Would love to read your novel. I myself am working on my first novel. But I come from a small family in a small town. I don't know if my book will ever see light of the day. But I believe that we should as writers no matter how small or ignored must keep faith in our work and stay true to our art and hope that one day the readers and publishers would consider art over financial success. Though I think a true work of art might take time to find its horizons but it will make its mark one day.
P.S I hope you could help me with my novel.

Qube [rV³] wrote: "I agree. I am more than willing to ignore average writing as long as it doesn't come in the way. Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle & Asimov - three authors I really like - have very functional writing t..."

Thanx for the incite!

Kevan wrote: "Aditya wrote: " I myself am working on my first novel. But I come from a small family in a small town. I don't know if my book will ever see light of the day...."

Seldom has the first novel clicked..."

It is actually my third novel. Went through two very different manuscripts wrote them thought they were shit and moved on. Never could see those two get published. I think this new one is different, it has a new mature story and its about India and in a perspective that is I guess never has been touched at-least in Indian context. The problem is I donot have any access to any publishers just want to share my idea.

Thanx man..Hopefully. I would like to go with traditional publishing just for the feel of it.

I've worried that this thread would give really a bad image on Indian literature on a whole.. Hence added "English" to the title.. :)

There are aplenty of good authors in native languages.. The issue I think is with English not being our tongue, we 'learn' it.. India is one of the very few countries (If not only one) that publish so many English language books despite it not being the mother tongue of any of us.. :)

Also, part of the blame should go to the lack of good editors.. Got to know from some of the interviews of US/UK authors, the editors have a lot of say on the way the story being told including the use of languages.. But we lack a lot in this department I guess..

There really has been nobody after Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi who has been fully deserving of that title. That's almost a decade.

In my opinion its Kunal Sen. Havent read Jeet Thayil yet, but Kunal Sen's Left from DhaKeshwari was one of the best booKs i ever read.

I have heard a lot about Left from Dhakeshwari... would soon be reading it I guess. :-D

Thayil was a wonderful read.Descriptive,vivid and gripping.And the fact that he's a poet,clearly showed in his carefully chosen words.(Plus I learnt a lot about drugs :P )

Jokes aside,I saw people talking about Indian authors from the previous generation.I'm really in love with Upamanyu Chatterjee's English,August.Does anyone know a 'new kid on the block' who writes with similar dollops of sarcasm and humour? I just love the feel of it in text.

Srishti wrote: "Thayil was a wonderful read.Descriptive,vivid and gripping.And the fact that he's a poet,clearly showed in his carefully chosen words.(Plus I learnt a lot about drugs :P )

Jokes aside,I saw people..."

I agree with you about Upamanyu Chatterjee's English, August. I really enjoyed that book. But don't know whether his other books have matched that standard or not.

I recently reviewed books by Janice Pariat and Ashok Banker for my blog and I really liked their writing. Janice Pariat's book is a collection of short stories set in the North East while Ashok Banker's book Red Blood Sari had exceptionally strong women as lead characters (always a plus point for me :-P ).

Looking for recommendations from among the new kids on the block.

Good detective fiction set in India, written by an Indian. I really don't what Indo-Pak or Indo-China espionage, or any of that high-octane thrillers. I'm looking for a good, down-to-earth mystery or two.

Would like reasonably good writing and plot - may not be the Christie or Perry Mason quality, but something not too far off. I sampled a few suggested in another thread (something related to IPL, Hickory Dickory shomething, and a few others), but the writing dissuaded me from buying them.

Any reccos?

Srishti wrote: "Thayil was a wonderful read.Descriptive,vivid and gripping.And the fact that he's a poet,clearly showed in his carefully chosen words.(Plus I learnt a lot about drugs :P )

Jokes aside,I saw people..."

I agree. There has been no other book quite like it. Upamanyu Chatterjee's 'English, August' is a classic, a once in a generation work of genius. I think it would be almost impossible to match it, especially for a debut author. I would be very surprised if Chatterjee's seminal novel gets outdone anytime soon.

Would you like to try- You Adored, Me Ignored?

Kunal wrote: "Srishti wrote: "Thayil was a wonderful read.Descriptive,vivid and gripping.And the fact that he's a poet,clearly showed in his carefully chosen words.(Plus I learnt a lot about drugs :P )

Jokes as..."

I guess I'm the only one not raving about it...

EDIT: Aaaargghhhh! bugs won't let me edit or delete my comment.

coming back, the earlier comment is with reference to 'English, August' - somehow I didn't like it so much... as with Narcopolis. Neither of them were my kind of works, I guess.

I'm a bit late to this thread but wanted to add my two cents (or Rs 1.38) regarding quality vs. popularity, from an author perspective. This is a problem not only in India.

It can be difficult for a new author to choose: write literary fiction, knowing there is a limited market and he/she will not make much money; or write trendy stuff (romance/erotica) and potentially make a lot more money. I think we're seeing literary standards being lowered a lot over the past 10-20 years in the USA.

So, I actually have a lot of respect for writers like Bhagat who can exploit the trends and make money :)

obviously chetan bhagat. but il also say karan bajaj! explicit writing of jhonny gone down, keep off the grass. i dnt know why he is underated :(

Rana Dasgupta i would say .

Anybody read Sidin Vadukut's "Dork"? It is hilarious. It was one of the best attempts at humor and satire I have read anywhere.

Some weeks ago I have finished a book with essays and short stories by emergent Indian authors and they were really very good, interesting and well written.
I add also here the names of these authors, if someone is interested can check them out.

Tishani Doshi
Altaf Tyrewala
Chandrahas Choudhury (his short story was my favorite!)
Susan Mridula Koshi
Sarnath Banerjee
Samrat Choudhury
Palash Krishna Mehrotra
Sonia Faleiro
Anindya Roy
Annie Zaidi
Smriti Nevatia

Chandrahas Choudhury has also an interesting blog: http://middlestage.blogspot.it/


Some days ago I added to my wishlist
The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy but I must still buy and read it.

Lit Bug wrote: "Sticking to the topic, I'm afraid I don't find any kid on the block worth reading - there are scores of wonderful unread books that I'd rather pick than read authors who haven't even got their plot..."
thats exactly my opinion about these new kids on the block in Indian English Literature.i couldn't have put it so well as you ,so thanks

Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for. By "new kids", do you mean popular kids? Because there's a big different between books that are critically acclaimed and books that are popular. Both types of authors are "new kids" , so to speak. I'm guessing that it's the later.

Rohinton Mistry, Ashok Banker, Jeet Thayil and Aatish Taseer are the new popular writers that have been critically acclaimed. Of course, in the last couple of years.

Rumm wrote: "Looking for recommendations from among the new kids on the block.

Good detective fiction set in India, written by an Indian. I really don't what Indo-Pak or Indo-China espionage, or any of that hi..."
Please don't think I am puffing off my book but yr comment was too inviting to resist....
Try my book Its historical fiction and I have been told its a good read :(

Interesting question, this.

There are numerous definitions of literature, and the one I stand by is: 'written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.'

If we talk about artistic merit, I think one can safely rule out a certain Mr. Bhagat and his clones.

I would rate Vikram Seth, Jhumpa Lahiri, Anita Desai, Ramachandra Guha, Amrita Pritam, Premchand, and Amitav Ghosh among the greats on this list. (Merely an inclusive list, without being exhaustive)

Therefore, I suggest either rephrasing this question to mention 'indian writing' instead of 'literature' or to agree that our definition of 'literature' is abysmally poor.

I don't mean to offend anyone, but I detest it when people consider Chetan Bhagat's writing as 'literature'

Sumit wrote: "Interesting question, this.

There are numerous definitions of literature, and the one I stand by is: 'written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.'

If we tal..."

I totally agree with you Sumit .. :) :)

I saw that Penguin India had a FB chat today with Nikita Singh. I've never read any of her books, but in terms of "new kids" she is probably the youngest Indian author I've heard about in a while.

If anyone has read her work or can recommend one of her books, please share your opinions.

You should take a look at this book.faceless

I have recently read Ravi Subramanian's incredible banker, and I liked the plot.

I am looking forward to read his next book God is A Gamer

Manu Joseph's Serious Men was nominated for 3 awards and won one. I really like this book. Plenty of laugh-out-loud wit and sarcasm !

Very interesting topic. I have to check out some of these writers.

Altaf Tyrewalla maybe not so new but still current.He is behind the organising of this year's Chandigarth Literary Festival I believe.

Yes, Serious Men was really enjoyable. Admittedly, some of his jokes are sexist and politically incorrect but he writes so well that I easily forgave him his tresspasses!

http://www.caravanmagazine.in/essay/l...

S Anand, founder of Navayana publishing on why he found Serious Men very offensive.

dely wrote: "Some weeks ago I have finished a book with essays and short stories by emergent Indian authors and they were really very good, interesting and well written.
I add also here the names of these autho..."

Oh wow! Thank you so much for the list Dely. I was craving for some good Indian reads for some time now. This should be helpful :-)

@All As of now I'm exploring R.K. Narayan. Wow fantastic reads. And I regret I read him v.lately. I really wonder people we Indians never read (haven't heard in some cases) Rohinton Mistry, Arundhati Roy, Vikram Seth, Rushdie to start with. All they do is pick up some mediocre contemporary junk (of names which I don't want to mention here)and say this was so good I'm waiting for his next book. IMPO readers deserve more, they deserve better. Sadly, they don't realize this. Seems like new age authors don't have respect for readers anymore.

Hi All! I'm a novice reader myself, but I've perused two books simultaneously whilst working on my debut manuscript which is ready and forwarded to publishers now. The authors are Kiran Manral and Saurabh Dudeja. Their writing is impeccable (according to me), much stylish and preferable than Chetan Bhagat, Ravinder Singh, or Sudesh Nagarkar (the current popular Indian authors) and could be future literary stars. I have myself tried my level best to include literary content in my work despite it being a light campus novel, but I'm dubious if it will ever be selected.

I have read five Indian novels that i can think of right now from five different authors and my reaction has been great to insufferable.