The memoir is equally compelling because it does not romanticise journalism. Reporters demand independence while depending upon institutions. They seek truth while requiring access. They challenge politicians while cultivating relationships with them. They may find themselves close to historic events…
Guts, Glory and Empire ultimately succeeds as an act of historical recovery. It restores an overlooked South Asian community to the history of Zanzibar and, in doing so, offers a broader and more complicated understanding of how the Indian Ocean world…
Bombay Tabloid is messy, excessive and deliberately outrageous, but its distinctive voice and vivid depiction of Bombay give it an identity that is difficult to mistake for any other novel. Best for readers who enjoy black comedy, crime fiction, morally ambiguous characters,…
A historically remarkable and emotionally daring novel; uneven in places, but extraordinarily courageous, intimate and ahead of its time. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.9/5) A Forgotten Story of Love, Desire, Friendship and Rebellion Some books acquire importance not merely because of the…
Redtooth is an atmospheric, increasingly brutal and distinctly Indian folk-horror novel that rewards patience. Its greatest strengths are its Himalayan setting, cultural tension, vivid physicality and gradual evolution from trekking adventure into nightmare. Read an excerpt from Redtooth here. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)…
A candid and absorbing exploration of India’s complicated relationship with intoxicants, combining personal memory, cultural history, travel writing and investigative reportage. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) Akshaya Bahibala’s Bhang Journeys: Stories, Histories, Trips and Travels is difficult to classify neatly, and that is one…
Shashi Tharoor’s Our Living Constitution approaches the Constitution of India as something considerably larger than a legal text. At its heart, the book is concerned with the political and philosophical idea of India that emerged alongside the Constitution—and with the question of…
Priya Hajela’s For Whose Dear Sake Our Fathers Died approaches the subject of war not merely as a landmark in colonial history, but as a deeply human experience shaped by individuals navigating conflicting loyalties, personal obligations and the demands of survival. The…
Ajay Shukla’s The Yali Awakens is an ambitious attempt to bring together Indian mythology, spirituality, fantasy adventure and environmental concerns within a single narrative. The novel follows Shankara, a young man whose seemingly ordinary journey gradually draws him into a world of…
A Story of War, Friendship and Freedom! The War Elephants of Trigarta is an engaging and emotionally rich historical adventure that successfully combines the grandeur of ancient warfare with the intimacy of a child’s friendship with an elephant. Mili and Nathu…
A compelling, deeply personal and richly observed wildlife book—especially rewarding for readers interested in tigers, Ranthambhore, Indian conservation and the complex behaviour of wild animals. Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.5/5) Valmik Thapar’s The Mysterious World of Tigers is best understood as a portrait…