8 Best Books by Indian Authors in 2021 so far | Top 8 works by Writers of India

Indian authors have since log struggled to establish themselves on the atlas of world literature, and only now has that started becoming a ground reality. This year alone, works from authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, Amitav Ghosh and Chitra Divakaruni have shaken the world literature ground. There are also debutants and other locally known authors who have also managed to craft masterpieces of Indian writing in English. Some of these authors don’t stay in India anymore but are diasporic residents of other countries, but their origins are Indian and their works are imbued with Indianness. Because no one can forget their roots. Here are 8 best books by Indian authors in 2021 so far.

Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri

This is Lahiri’s first book in Italian, which she herself has translated into English. The protagonist, as the title suggests, is in constant movement, oscillating between belonging and detachment, between one place and another. And then suddenly, there is a peripeteia in her perspective – a sudden change that will change her life. This book is poetry – and an examination of very important, intangible themes.

Languages of Truth by Salman Rushdie

This book is a compilation of celebrated storyteller Rushdie’s essays from 2003 to 2020. It explores language in its realest sense. It talks of the work of famous authors like Cervantes and Shakespeare and what it means to him. He views literature from the lens of an eternal truth and from the prism of an ever-evolving cultural paradigm. Ultimately, he explores how storytelling is a need rather than a product of talent. This is definitely a must read for all lovers of literature.

The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Of ‘The Palace of Illusions’ fame, Divakaruni’s newest book focuses on Punjabi history, in specific, on Jindan Kaur, wife of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. She was fierce and indomitable, a woman of sheer will unafraid to break away from traditions. This newest book by Chitra brings another unheard of voice of a woman to light, with the tenderness and poetic-ness she is known for.

Jungle nama by Amitav Ghosh

Ghosh, who is a master storyteller has now come out with his newest novel. He possesses the ability to craft stories of epic proportions and multitudinous characters, such as the Ibis trilogy, and has now turned to poetry. His first work in verse captures a folktale at the heart of the Sunderbans, from the legends of Bon Bibi. Artist Salman Toor has lent his art to the novel, enriching it further.

Rumours of Spring by Farah Bashir

Set against the polaroid-like backdrop of 1990s Srinagar in Kashmir, this poignant coming of age memoir is teeming with tenderness and innocence. While it deals with the political phenomena in Kashmir, it is also a portrait of girlhood and adolesnce. Bashir deftly balances the tension of violence with pop song fandom and crushes, making this a true memoir.

A Map of Longings by Manan Kapoor

This is the first definitive biography of Agha Shahid Ali, the great poet of the 20^th century. Glistening with the richness of India, Ali’s life and poetry, this book delves into Ali’s life and works, as well as his mastery of language. Indeed Ali was a polymath expert in Hindu, Urdu and English and his poetry shines with the brilliance of his language and thoughts. This book starts at Ali’s very roots in Kashmir, following in his nostalgic footsteps to New Delhi and then USA. We also encounter other charismatic figures such as Begum Akhtar and James Merrill, who played important roles in Ali’s life. We also look into his intimate relationships, realizing for the first time that the great poet was also a great man and that his brilliant poetic vision was an extension of his life vision.

Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Acclaimed Bollywood actress and pageant winner Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ memoir chronicles her life in India as well as USA. Her childhood in India, her entry in the glamorous world of beauty pageants and Indian films, the expansion of her oeuvre into include some of the biggest TV shows of the West – it’s all here. She emphasizes on the fact that though her accomplishments may seem mammoth considering her young age, she is nowhere near done. Her dreams soar high, and so does she.

India After Liberalisation by Bimal Jalan

In this book, Jalan offers a bird’s eye view of the singular decision that changed and shaped India’s economy – the liberalization reforms of 1991. This may seem like an ideal textbook for students of economics. But it is an essential guide for all of us, to understand where we are, why we are so and where we are going in terms of the economy.

Also Read: Authors Who Died in the First Half of 2021