21st Century Literature discussion

This is the background thread for the discussion of We That Are Young - the debut novel by Preti Taneja, a young Anglo-Indian writer. The book takes the plot of King Lear and transplants it into a modern Indian setting. Please do not post spoilers here.

I became aware of this book thanks to its shortlisting for this year's Republic of Consciousness Prize. It was published by Galley Beggar press, one of Britain's best small independent presses. It subsequently won the Desmond Elliott Prize 2018.

Will anyone be joining me? For anyone still wavering, although it is quite long, it is not a difficult read, and no knowledge of Shakespeare is needed to enjoy it. And there is plenty of plot!

A few reviews (these may contain spoilers):
https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/bo...
http://www.thewhitereview.org/reviews...
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-...
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/re...

Thanks for the links.

I started reading it last night.
I was enjoyed what I read and the author already teased out some information and I definitely want to see where it goes.

Not sure what to make of the different covers depending on the publisher.


Galley Beggar Press


US cover - Knopf


UK - Penguin Hamish

Thanks Beverly. The Galley Beggar one is standard house style.

I just started, so I'll be late to the party as well.

No rush - I was beginning to think nobody would be reading this one before Beverly's comment!

This is an interesting article (and may contain spoilers):

https://www.publicbooks.org/we-are-al...

This article was of interest to me as when I hear a book is a retelling - I tend to take that as a very "open" definition on what that means. For me I am not necessarily looking for the current book to "follow" the retelling book but just to have the "essence" of the original.

Hugh wrote: "Thanks Beverly. The Galley Beggar one is standard house style."

I thought that was the case with The Galley Beggar cover so glad you confirmed.

I actually think I am leaning towards The Galley Beggar cover to be my favorite.

The US cover is actually my least favorite.

Beverly wrote: "Hugh wrote: "Thanks Beverly. The Galley Beggar one is standard house style."

I thought that was the case with The Galley Beggar cover so glad you confirmed.

I actually think I am leaning towards ..."

My Galley Beggar one is similar but black.



Incidentally I think the cover you / Goodreads has as "UK - Penguin Hamish" is actually the one for India: Penguin Books.
Galley Beggar still have the UK rights.

Paul wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Hugh wrote: "Thanks Beverly. The Galley Beggar one is standard house style."

I thought that was the case with The Galley Beggar cover so glad you confirmed.

I actually think I am ..."

Thanks for the correction

The U.S. cover is horrible IMO.

Beverly wrote: "This is an interesting article (and may contain spoilers):

https://www.publicbooks.org/we-are-al......"
Thanks for sharing that

Hi all. I'm brand new to the book club, and will be participating in this discussion. I just finished the book. Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!

Welcome, Yvette!

Welcome Yvette. I am still hoping more people will read this book, and like all of our book discussions, this one will remain open for comments beyond the nominal end date.

Another article (thanks to Galley Beggar for sharing it):
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo...

Hugh wrote: "Another article (thanks to Galley Beggar for sharing it):
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/bo..."

Thanks for sharing.
I must like the re-telling of King Lear as I have enjoyed The Green Road and I am enjoying We That Are Young!

I will mention another retelling of King Lear - this time in an American setting - A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley.

And I do have Dunbar by Edward St. Aubyn sitting on my kindle unread.

Thanks Beverly. The discussion has now reached its planned end date, but as always it will remain open for late contributions, and I very much hope that more of you will eventually find time to read this book!

Hugh wrote: "Thanks Beverly. The discussion has now reached its planned end date, but as always it will remain open for late contributions, and I very much hope that more of you will eventually find time to rea..."

Hugh -

Sorry I did not read this novel in a more timely manner (life just threw me a couple of curves that impacted my reading life). I still need to read Sita's section to finish the book. And I too hope more people will read this book.

In LA Review of Books

https://www.lareviewofbooks.org/artic...