India has been famous for its culture, art, literature, and writing since ancient times. Writers from across the globe have given us thrillers, fiction, classics, sentiments, entertainment, and more varieties. Among these, Indian classics stand out differently. The reason behind it is they are extremely expressive, rich, and culturally entrenched.
Are you thinking of what to read next? Thes novels can be the answer. Here we will provide you with a list of great Indian novels. Let's have a look at the best-selling novels of India.
Shadow Lines
This book is by Amitav Ghosh, an award-winning Bengali writer. It is a vital story about the borders that mark and limit our imaginations. It grabs the view of time and circumstances that brings and keeps people apart at the same time. The story revolves around the memories of one and then becomes the imagination of another.
Thus, this novel unwinds the imagination of the reader himself. This novel has mentioned major historical events like The Second World War, the Swadeshi Movement, The partition of India, and many more. The book also received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1989.
Fasting, Feasting
The writer of this novel is Anita Desai. It portrays the story of the life of daughters in an Indian family. The main character of the novel is Uma, a gray-haired spinster. Her parents consider her a worthless child compared to her siblings, and all the praises are for her brother especially.
Thus the novel clearly shows the life of women. And it talks about the sacrifices she has to make for the happiness of the others in the family and eventually suppressing her aspirations and desires. Also, this book got nominated for the Booker Prize award in 1999.
The God of Small
This is one of the best-celebrated Indian Novels on both national and international platforms. Moreover, Arundhati Roy is the writer of this debut novel. The story is about two twins, Estha and Rahel, who live in Kerala. It is an award-winning novel that set a milestone for Roy in her career.
The novel conveys the change in their life after the arrival of their cousin Sophie. Additionally, it tells an emotional story of love, betrayal, and kinship ties. The novel has a hint of political predisposition as it talks about caste, class, and discrimination.
A Suitable Boy
The novel is A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. It is the longest Indian novel ever published. It got issued in 1993. Plus, this novel won the Commonwealth Writers Award the next year of its launch. The story is about a mother searching for the right guy for her daughter’s marriage.
The story is much more than just a matrimonial search. It is a fascinating take on love, gratitude for art and skill, and an all-around celebration of identity. Also, it shows other issues like the elimination of the Zamindari System, Hindu-Muslim rivalry, and the empowerment of Muslim women.
The Namesake
The writer of this novel is Jhumpa Lahiri. It wonderfully unwinds the immigrant experience, various cultures, lifestyles, the clash in adjusting to the different traditions, and the huge generational gap. Lahiri has simply delivered the story through the life of a Bengali family.
They leave their city, Calcutta, and shift to America. Further, it becomes tough for them to cope with western traditions. Later, the story moves when they think of naming their son. They gave him a traditional name that shaped many parts of his life in his later years. Moreover, it is an intimate, fine-tuned, and deeply felt novel.
Train to Pakistan
The novel Train to Pakistan is by Khushwant Singh. He is one of the most renowned writers in India. Also, his works have enjoyed a constant readership for a number of years. Train to Pakistan is one of the important works of Khushwant Singh.
The story is about the people of a village that lies on the border of India and Pakistan. And they have to put up with the gloominess of communal violence and hatred due to the partition. The village is home to Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu families.
The novel aims to create a social awareness of such communal conditions. He had done this without taking sides or showing any sort of sensational political commentary. The character development of the story is on the spot.
Midnight's Children
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie is an allegorical novel that parallels major historical occasions. The historical events are about the Independence of India and the birth of 2 children born at midnight on 15th August 1947.
The story is about Saleem Sinai and how he thinks about most of the things going on in his native country. This best-seller has the capacity to fascinate its reader into a world of magic. This popular novel has sold millions of copies in different languages.
A Fine Balance
This novel is by Rohinton Mistry. It represents the time between 1975 and 1984, a period of extended government crackdowns and when the government announced a State of Emergency. The story is about how four strangers come together.
Two tailors, a young student, and a spirited widow escaped the caste violence. And they got together in a cramped apartment that retains a skeptical future in front of them. The bond that they share eventually leads from friendship to love. A Fine Balance shows a long-lasting thought of the human spirit.
Life of Pi
This is an adventure novel by Yann Martel. The novel shows how an Indian boy endures a shipwreck after 277 days. And his only buddy was a Bengal tiger in a boat in the Pacific ocean. In addition, it shows the faith, belief, and meditation that make the boy survive and come through that situation.
Conclusion
These are some of the best Indian novels. If you like to read, these are the novels you must read. These novels will take you on a tour of the time when they were written. So, give them a try, and we hope you find this of interest.
