‘Contours of Him’ brings remarkable depth to our understanding of men and their bodies, helping to redefine masculinity in ways that are more compassionate, complex, and authentic. By inviting readers into intimate relationships with the physical male form as experienced across diverse cultures, this anthology advances our collective conversation about gender and embodiment
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s revolutionary decision to abandon English for Gikuyu represented more than linguistic choice—it constituted a radical political act challenging European cultural hegemony. His transformation from James Ngugi symbolises the broader decolonisation project that has defined his career, fundamentally reshaping postcolonial literature and inspiring indigenous language movements worldwide.
Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ emerges as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary African literature, establishing herself through work that interrogates Nigerian society whilst maintaining unflinching commitment to authentic storytelling. Her nuanced exploration of marriage, family dynamics, and societal expectations creates literature that resonates both locally and globally.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” stands as one of the most compelling and devastating literary works to emerge from postcolonial African literature, offering readers an unflinching examination of the Nigerian Civil War through the interconnected lives of characters whose personal struggles mirror the broader tragedy of a nation tearing itself apart.
Hi God, How Are You by Manoj Kumar Sharma – Deeply Introspective and Unconventional about Spirituality and Societal Changes
Debasish Lahiri is an internationally acclaimed poet. His poems have been widely published in journals Lahiri’s essay on the pandemic in Kolkata appeared in the L’Obs magazine on 27 th July 2021. Lahiri is the recipient of the Prix-du Merite, Naji Naaman Literary Prize 2019.
The title Anatta, a Pali word meaning “not-self,” points towards a central theme in the anthology: the impermanence of all things, including the self. Buddhist philosophy challenges the notion of a fixed, unchanging self. Anatta proposes instead a fluid, ever-changing entity, constantly shaped by our experience as a body-mind (Nama-Tula) and the world in which it lives.
Addonia’s emphasis on the body as the primary site of both oppression and liberation distinguishes his approach. Unlike the cool intellectual distance that characterizes much postcolonial critique, Addonia insists on the primacy of physical experience.
Dominique Lapierre’s City of Joy transforms statistical poverty into visceral human experience through meticulous research and compelling storytelling. Yet this powerful narrative of Calcutta’s slums raises uncomfortable questions about Western perspectives on Eastern suffering, embodying both the possibilities and profound limitations of cross-cultural understanding in contemporary literature.
On the Grass Trail by N.V. Nair appears to be a travelogue that offers readers a glimpse into the remote and culturally rich regions of North East India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The book chronicles the author’s travels through the mountainous terrains, valleys, and river plains of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
Shirani Rajapakse’s Offerings to the Blue God takes its reader along the least taken paths in the Isla’s life. The stories are characterised by a dynamic writing and presentation style, a unique voice that Rajapakshe’s stories often carry, and an unparalleled level of integrity that shines through in each story.
Subhobroto Mazumder’s The Affairs of Baxiganj weaves a captivating tapestry of suspense, crime intrigue, and simmering dread…delivering a ‘classic murder mystery cum thriller’ that lingers long after the final page.
India’s Indigenous Immigrants by Subir – a Sensitive Resource on Assam’s Darker Epoch of History.
Charles Baxter’s latest novel, “Blood Test,” is a captivating blend of speculative comedy and profound social commentary. The story revolves around Brock Hobson, a divorced Midwestern dad who works as an insurance salesman and Sunday-school teacher. His life is marked by predictability until he undergoes a predictive blood test that claims to foretell his actions.
NoViolet Bulawayo’s Glory transforms fictional Jidada—populated entirely by animals—into a devastating mirror of postcolonial African governance. This Booker-shortlisted novel tears through liberation mythology with surgical precision, revealing how revolutionary heroes become the very tyrants they once fought, creating a ferocious political allegory that transcends any single nation’s borders.
Turkish Author Sabahattin Ali’s “Madonna in a Fur Coat”, originally published in 1943, tells the story of Raif Efendi, a young Turkish man who journeys to 1920s Berlin to learn a trade and ends up finding himself through a chance encounter with an artist named Maria Puder. The novel, initially overlooked by critics as just another love story, has since become a celebrated work in Turkish literature, lauded for its poignant exploration of love, longing, and the complexities of the human soul.
For readers seeking a lighthearted romance novel, Maybe Tomorrow by Penny Parkes might seem like the perfect choice. However, this novel offers something far more profound—a compelling exploration of societal challenges, single motherhood, and the power of female friendships. Unlike traditional romantic fiction, Maybe Tomorrow takes a deeper dive into themes of hardship, resilience, and personal growth.
The novel traces the remarkable life of Geumbok, a woman who rises from abject poverty to become a powerful entrepreneur in a remote coastal village. Her journey spans decades of Korean history, from the Japanese occupation through the Korean War and into the nation’s rapid industrialisation period.
Engaging pictures and poetic verses in English and Hindi, a perfectly organized memoir with spiritual morality…this book is surely to enthrall readers while giving them a window of opportunity to take a look at their relationship with their divine powers.
There’s a different writing style, engaging and free flowing, though not introspective at all. Vihaan leaves no trail of his secretive affairs but he didn’t mean that…he’s in the shadow of someone other, unsure of himself, desperate for love, and finding it with Sheela, an older woman from the Khatri house. So treacherous that it cannot be rendered beautifully.
The Asian Review 