Many people enjoy reading books as a way to relax, learn, and escape into different worlds. India, with its rich literary history, has produced some iconic works of literature that have resonated with readers around the world. Here are the names of 10 famous books in India that you should consider adding to your reading list:
1. “The Guide” by R.K. Narayan: A classic novel that tells the story of a tour guide named Raju and his transformation from a charlatan to a spiritual guru.
2. “Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie: This critically acclaimed novel follows the life of Saleem Sinai, who is born at the exact moment when India gains independence.
3. “The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy: A lyrical novel that examines into the lives of fraternal twins Rahel and Estha in Kerala.
4. “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri: A collection of short stories that explore the immigrant experience of Indians in America.
5. “Train to Pakistan” by Khushwant Singh: Set during the partition of India in 1947, this novel portrays the impact of the political upheaval on a small village.
6. “A Suitable Boy” by Vikram Seth: This epic novel follows the life of a young woman named Lata as she navigates love and marriage in post-independence India.
7. “The White Tiger” by Aravind Adiga: Winner of the Man Booker Prize, this novel offers a darkly comic look at class struggle and social mobility in India.
8. “My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi: An autobiography that details Gandhi’s experiences and experiments with nonviolent resistance.
9. “The Palace of Illusions” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni: A retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata from the perspective of Draupadi.
10. “English, August: An Indian Story” by Upamanyu Chatterjee: A coming-of-age novel that follows a young civil servant named Agastya as he navigates the complexities of rural India.
These are just a few of the many famous books that have captivated readers in India and beyond. Whether you’re a fan of fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, there is a wealth of Indian literature waiting to be explored.