9 Contemporary Novels That Are Too Good To Miss Out On
Are you one of those who have an undying love for reading novels? If yes, then this blog is just the one for you. These contemporary fictional books will give you a plethora of options that you must include in your reading list. From historical drama to modern classics, this list is full of engrossing novels. Here's a round-up of 9 contemporary novels to keep all of the bookworms hooked.
1. The Namesake
This novel is can be felt like a story of many Indian immigrants who are submerged into America’s modern culture with clashes with India’s traditional values. One such family is the Ganguly family where Ashoke is the traditional person and his wife is a thorough adapter of the new. Their son suffers from an identity crisis as he struggles to retain his Indian heritage while living in the U.S along with dealing with an unusual name.
2. Midnight's Children
The novel uses the breathtaking and surreal blend of magic realism and historical fiction to come up with a masterpiece which is a must-read for anyone. Set during the transitioning phase of India from a British Colony to a young independent nation. Rushdie tells the tale with a colourful range of characters which has multiple layers and depth to them and India’s new phase through their eyes. The brilliantly written novel has received a number of awards including The Booker Prize and The Best Of The Booker Prize.
3. The Palace Of Illusions
A rendition of one of the greatest Hindu epic Mahabharata as narrated the Draupadi's as she was one of the main characters in this epic and came out to one of the strongest female voices in a patriarchal society. Draupadi’s life and sorrowful incidents are recounted as she takes the reader through her controversial life which was always in the background. The novel offers a refreshing take on the epic and is summed up beautifully. This is one of those novels that you can binge read.
4. Sea Of Poppies
This novel is a beautiful amalgamation of varied characters from all walks of life that are jolted together on a transport vessel that had been a slave ship called Ibis. The boat is on its way to the serene island of Mauritius and the multitude of passengers like American sailors, opium workers, French fugitives, rajas, sahibs, coolies and many more. Their personal experience s and stories form the crux of the novel as they sail to an unknown future.
5. The Forest Of Enchantment
The Forest of enchantment is a brilliantly written novel based on the greatest epic: Ramayana, but it offers Sita's version of the story. The perspective of various women is used to form an intricate story of the power of woman undermined in some epics. A hard-hitting commentary on the role of Indian women which is marred by duty, adultery and honour as they are pitted against the patriarchal society where finding a voice is the hardest task they would ever have to do. The articulated flow of the novel is captivating.
6. Anil's Ghost
This book is a work of art with a profound commentary on the futility of war. Set in Sri Lanka during the civil unrest in the country, a forensic expert discovers the remains of a man who was murdered and she goes on a quest to find out more about the mans’ life and death. The novel is an interesting blend of love, loss, identity, heritage and a zeal to find the secrets of the past. Filled by ingenious surprises, the novel lives up to the expectations.
7. Train To Pakistan
The novel captures the harrowing tale of the partition of India in August 1947 through the point of view of a fictional border village, Mano Majra. The book sets the tone by presenting Majra as a peaceful village inhabited by both Hindus and Muslims. Due to the announcement of the creation of Pakistan, the village sees distress as a painful civil war breaks out. Its impact is seen on each individual and the story of a Sikh boy and a Muslim girl is interwoven to depict that love is beyond any war or religion.
8. Brick Lane
This well-articulated novel deals with the life of two Bangladeshi sisters who are closer in age but not in their ideals. They both move to London when Nazneen is married to an older man who she does not love, meanwhile, Hasina is married to her lover. Both their marriages are failures which makes them ponder on their lives which were muddled with culture, duty and hardships while dealing with Muslim identity in a foreign land.
9. The Reluctant Fundamentalist
A Pakistani man named Changez who is living in America has it all- an ivy league education, a great job, a beautiful girlfriend. But when the horrific 9/11 happens, his life is turned upside down with people treating him differently. His fundamentals and ideologies are shaken to the core and his perfect life is disrupted forever. This novel is a crowning jewel in the realm of South Asain Fiction category and delves deep into the politicisation of the personal.
Arushi Garg (Suggest Nest)
