Salman Rushdie and Vikram Seth are important writers in today's world. They're known for writing in English about India and for mixing Eastern and Western ideas in their books.
Vikram Seth was born in 1952 in India. He writes many types of books, including novels and poems. Some of his stories are about history, while others are about modern life. Seth is open about being attracted to both men and women, and he supports LGBTQ+ rights in India.
Salman Rushdie was born in 1947 in India and later became British too. He's famous for writing stories that mix reality with magic. He uses complicated storylines, plays with words, and talks about different cultures in his books.
Rushdie wrote a book called "The Satanic Verses" in 1988 that caused a lot of anger in the Muslim world. In 1989, a powerful religious leader in Iran said Rushdie should be killed. Because of this, Rushdie had to hide and have protection for many years.
Rushdie won an important book award called the Booker Prize for his novel "Midnight's Children."
Here are some must-reads from Vikram Seth and Salman Rushdie!
Vikram Seth
Debut Novel:
A Suitable Boy- This massive novel (nearly 1,500 pages) is set in post-independence India in the 1950s. It follows the story of Lata Mehra, a young woman whose mother is trying to find her a suitable husband. The narrative weaves through four large families, exploring themes of love, politics, religious tensions, and social change in newly independent India. It's known for its intricate plot, vast cast of characters, and detailed portrayal of Indian society.
Must read novels:
The Golden Gate: This unique work is a novel entirely in verse, consisting of 590 sonnets in iambic tetrameter. Set in the 1980s San Francisco Bay Area, it follows the lives of a group of young professionals. The story revolves around themes of love, friendship, and the search for meaning in the modern world. It's praised for its technical brilliance and its ability to make a contemporary story work in classical poetic form.
An Equal Music: This novel centers on Michael Holme, a professional violinist in London, who is still in love with his former girlfriend, a pianist he met while studying in Vienna. The story explores themes of love, music, and loss. It's particularly noted for its deep understanding and vivid descriptions of classical music.
Salman Rushdie
Debut Novel:
Grimus- Flapping Eagle, a young Native American, gains immortality from a mysterious elixir. After 777 years of wandering the Earth, weary of eternal life, he seeks Calf Island—a dimension-shifting realm of immortals ruled by the enigmatic Grimus.
On this surreal mountain, Flapping Eagle encounters a cast of eccentric characters and uncovers a cosmic plot that challenges the very nature of reality. As he delves deeper into the island's secrets, he must confront his own identity and the true meaning of his immortal existence.
Banned Book:
Satanic Verses- This controversial novel blends magical realism with historical fiction. It follows two Indian actors who survive a plane explosion and undergo a fantastic transformation. Parts of the book were inspired by the life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which led to accusations of blasphemy and a fatwa calling for Rushdie's death. Beyond the controversy, it's a complex exploration of migration, metamorphosis, and good versus evil.
Latest Release:
Knife- On the morning of 12 August 2022, Salman Rushdie was standing onstage at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York, preparing to give a lecture on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm, when a man in black – black clothes, black mask – rushed down the aisle towards him, wielding a knife. His first thought: So it’s you. Here you are.
What followed was a horrific act of violence that shook the literary world and beyond. Now, for the first time, Rushdie relives the traumatic events of that day and its aftermath, as well as his journey towards physical recovery and the healing that was made possible by the love and support of his wife, Eliza, his family, his army of doctors and physical therapists, and his community of readers worldwide.
Knife is Rushdie writing with urgency, gravity, and unflinching honesty. It is also a deeply moving reminder of literature’s capacity to make sense of the unthinkable.
Both writers are well-respected for their books about India and for helping readers understand different cultures!
Happy Reading!