Author: New Asian Writing

Online Asian Literary Community

Book Excerpt: Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain

In the twilight of the Mughal Empire, amid the decaying grandeur of Delhi’s Red Fort, a young woman stepped intohistory. She was eighteen, sharp-eyed and unexpectedly powerful. Zeenat Mahal was born to be empress. She had no royal lineage, no…

NAW Interview with Priya Hajela

Priya Hajela lives in Pune with her husband and two dogs. Writing is a second career for her. She graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College in Vermont in 2017. Prior to taking to writing, Priya got an…

NAW Interview with Sudha Subramanian

SUDHA SUBRAMANIAN lives in Dubai with her husband. She was a columnist in Gulf News for over fifteen years. Her articles and opinion pieces have been published widely in many newspapers and magazines while her short stories have appeared in…

Book Review: The World Was Not Their Story by Saeed Naqvi

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…

Book Review: Bombay Tabloid by Kersi Khambatta

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,…

Book Review: Those Boyhood Years by Shibram Chakraborty

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…

Book Review: Redtooth by Satyajit Sarna

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)…