Urdu: The Best Stories of Our Times, edited and translated by Rakhshanda Jalil, presents a kaleidoscopic vision of the current literary landscape by bringing together some of the finest contemporary writers of fiction. In these pages, we find stories about the land and its people in wide-ranging tones: compassionate, sarcastic, whimsical, witty, tragic, but always thrilling and enchanting in equal measure. The stories highlight the numerous histories, identities and themes that have been celebrated or challenged in the last few decades. Appearing in English for the first time, this landmark volume offers an exhilarating glimpse into Urdu literature today.
Urdu: The Best Stories of Our Times, edited and translated by Rakhshanda Jalil, presents a kaleidoscopic vision of the current literary landscape by bringing together some of the finest contemporary writers of fiction. In these pages, we find stories about the land and its people in wide-ranging tones: compassionate, sarcastic, whimsical, witty, tragic, but always thrilling and enchanting in equal measure. The stories highlight the numerous histories, identities and themes that have been celebrated or challenged in the last few decades. Appearing in English for the first time, this landmark volume offers an exhilarating glimpse into Urdu literature today.
Mahi started running towards the cliff… The wind whistled in his ears as he gathered speed … He could even hear Gherundo and Duranto laughing. Were they screaming ‘fly, fly, fly’—or was it ‘die, die, die’?
When Mahi, a young elephant, decides to fulfil his dream of flying over the blue mountains, little does he know that he’s setting in motion a chain of events that will endanger him, his mother and the whole of Anastan. He has only one goal—to find and rescue Varana, his father, former chief of the herd, who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Trumpo, their vice president, is convinced that the wicked tigers of Pulistan have killed Varana. But can Mahi trust Trumpo? Who is his friend, and who is his foe? Allegorical and satirical, but also hilarious and delightful, this story will entertain both children and older readers as they join Mahi on his exciting journey and discover whether he does, one day, really soar over the blue mountains.
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In the Valley of the Great Mountains, where all the best musicians live and play music together, a young boy named Avvaiyar dreams of also playing music. But unfortunately, he does not have an instrument to play. One day while in the woods he hears a sound and finds a broken stick with holes. This gives him an idea and he creates his own new instrument – a flute.
Excited by his new instrument, Avvaiyar goes to the village square and begins to play – only to be ridiculed and rejected by the other musicians and people of the village. He then begins a long journey to discover the most beautiful music. As he explores the magical sounds of nature and silence, Avvaiyar grows within himself and inspires the people of his village through his music.
The story, along with the evocative illustrations, reveals a world of mystical, magical beauty, while also inspiring us to look deeper into our hearts for our own music.
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It is the early 1900s in Mumbai. Educated and financially independent, Kalindi Dagge dreams of living in a casteless and equitable society as a single mother―a life far removed from the one she had in the stifling world she left behind. A world where she was the daughter of a brahmin lawyer, Appasaheb Dagge, and the casteless Shanta; and the granddaughter of another brahmin and his schoolteacher mistress who rejected the idea of marriage. A world in which she was an outcast; the daughter of a man who rejected his caste but not his caste pride. A world where she had reclaimed her grandmother’s legacy and chosen, in defiance of family and society, to live as the mistress of Shivsharanappa, a Lingayat tobacco merchant, who later abandoned her and left her on the verge of suicide. As she rebuilds her identity now in the big city, she wonders what it would be like to start a new life based on love and respect with Ramrao, a trade union leader who shares her ideologies and dreams. Shridhar Vyankatesh Ketkar’s masterpiece, originally published as Brahmankanya in 1930, has been hailed as brave and ahead of its times. This magnificent translation by celebrated author and translator Shanta Gokhale brings the classic alive for the contemporary reader, and we see how relevant it remains almost a century later.
When well-known women’s rights activist Vasanth Kannabiran was growing up in the 1950s, grandmothers and aunts shared many real-life stories about ‘wives, widows and whores’ with her. These seemingly disconnected anecdotes haunted Kannabiran, eventually revealing the pattern of women’s lived realities in the early twentieth century and inspiring her to write Pankaja, her debut novel. In Pankaja, Kannabiran paints a vivid portrait of what it meant to be an upper-caste Hindu woman in India at the time. Pankaja’s life and the lives of her women friends and family members are all shaped by the institution of marriage; limited by the norm of wifely duty. Pankaja’s mother Rajamma faces undue criticism from society after she is widowed. Pankaja’s sister Pattamma, who is widowed at a young age is branded a bad omen and shunned at social occasions. When Kannamma, who belongs to a Brahmin family, ends her unhappy marriage and goes to live with a low-caste mridangam player, her family disowns her and the entire community condemns her. The individual stories of these women converge and diverge as they claim the right to their own lives. Pankaja places family life under the microscope, presenting us with a vision of unflinching honesty. Laced with insights about marriage, widowhood and sexuality, it peels back history to reveal the inner workings of a casteist, patriarchal society. Wise and emotionally astute, this novel is an engrossing and moving read.
Twenty-nine-year-old Dinkar Sharma is a software engineer in Noida. Or was, till he was unceremoniously dropped by his company. Lying around in his rented room with nothing to do, it occurs to him how his heart had never been in it. In fact, for the first time he realizes just how unhappy he has been. What makes it worse is that after this brief holiday of sorts, he must get back to a new life—exactly like the one he had.
Cheer seems to return to his life with Kirti, a girl he meets at a laughter ‘club’ when he decides to go for a walk one morning, to take his mind off his miserable life, if nothing else. Kirti’s arrival makes even his nosy landlady bearable. But the euphoria is short-lived, and he’s off to Amritsar for he can’t afford to live in Noida without a regular pay check. The change of air doesn’t last though—his mother, worried about his lack of motivation to look for new jobs, is convinced he must get married to become more responsible; his father has little say, and his friends can offer little help beyond their drink-and-drive sessions. Unemployed, with no plans for the future, and feeling trapped in the only place he can call home, Dinkar knows he must stand up for himself, but he isn’t sure he can—all his life’s important decisions have only ever been made by someone else. Will the drifter come ashore; will the adolescent grow up?
Playful, endearing and often laugh-out-loud funny, this is a coming-of-age story of a not-so-young Indian boy—one among millions—trying to find a life.
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This enchanting book, adorned with imaginative illustrations, contains a world of wonder for eager minds. This exquisite
literary treasure invites young readers to take an unforgettable journey into the captivating world of Ruskin Bond's storytelling
mastery. Seven Brides for Seven Princes and Other Stories compiles some of his most fascinating stories such as Nala and
Damayanti, The Ugly Prince and the Heartless Princess, The Lost Ruby, and Seven Brides for Seven Princes, to take its
readers on the adventure of a lifetime.
A spicy small-town romance and TikTok phenomenon, perfect for fans of Hannah Grace and Stephanie Archer.
'This is everything I love! Cozy small town romance, fall vibes, coffee house vibes, and grumpy x sunshine trope that was done perfectly!'
NetGalley Reviewer
The Sunday Times bestseller and winner of TikTok shop Book of the Year 2024
When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.
Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.
Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is a cozy romantic novel with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!
Tropes:
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Small town
• Found family
• Spicy
Readers have fallen for Dream Harbor, will you?
‘Wonderful story with tears, laughter, mysteries, uncertainty and happiness’
‘Compelling, cozy and delightful narrative’
‘A charming small town romance with sizzling chemistry and plenty of spice’
‘I LOVED THIS SO BAD. The vibes of the small town were immaculate, the cast of people around Jeanie and Logan amazing, the story soooo heartwarming’
'Ooohh I adored this! Fall setting, small town, coffee shop, grumpy sunshine!’
'This book makes my heart happy!’
'As a lover of fall and small town romance, this book was the perfect kind of romance for me’
'This was a gorgeous cinnamon spiced huge mug of psl and cozy jumpers and autumn leaves sort of a book’
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