You see, sometime in 2010 (I think – I forget, now), an agent had accepted the manuscript for The Age of Smiling Secrets and we signed a contract. When publishers were keen-but-not-keen, I suggested we stop submitting and consider reworking the novel. A few days after Christmas 2012, I received an email that shocked me to the core. Let me set the scene for you.
A Warm and Witty Return: Catherine Newman’s “Wreck” Delivers More of What Made “Sandwich” Irresistible
Catherine Newman’s “Wreck” brings back beloved narrator Rocky for a funnier, more poignant sequel. Facing a health scare and local tragedy in western Massachusetts, Rocky navigates family life with Nora Ephron-esque wit. Newman brilliantly blends domestic comedy with meditations on mortality, creating intelligent comfort reading that resonates deeply.
Why is Arti Mishra’s new book – The Silent Cage – important for India?
Arti Mishra’s new book, ‘The Silent Cage,’ stands out as an important work for India because, it brings to light the untold stories of women in rural and semi-urban India.
The Asian Prizes has announced the shortlist for The Asian Prize for Short Story 2025, featuring five stories from writers across Singapore and India.
The Asian Prizes announces five shortlisted stories for The Asian Prize for Short Story 2025. Selected from submissions across four continents by an international evaluation panel, these narratives from Singapore and India showcase compelling voices in contemporary literature. The winner will be revealed on 31st December 2025.
The Asian Prize for Poetry 2025 Shortlist Announced
The Asian Prizes has revealed the shortlist for the inaugural Asian Prize for Poetry 2025. Five exceptional poems from Ukraine, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Malaysia have been selected from the longlist, each powerfully engaging with this year’s theme, “The Earth,” through distinct cultural perspectives and artistic excellence.
Hungarian Writer László Krasznahorkai Wins 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature
Hungarian novelist László Krasznahorkai has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature for his apocalyptic vision and distinctive prose style. Known for sentences that run for pages, the 71-year-old becomes Hungary’s second Nobel laureate in literature, following Imre Kertész who won in 2002.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature: Predictions and Contenders
As October 9 approaches, the literary world anticipates the 2025 Nobel Prize announcement. Australian novelist Gerald Murnane leads predictions, while Mexican writer Cristina Rivera Garza emerges as a surprise contender. The Swedish Academy’s selection will likely favor experimental voices over mainstream favorites, potentially honoring underrepresented regions and innovative storytelling approaches.
The 2025 Booker Prize Shortlist: ‘Novels for Grown-ups…’
The 2025 Booker Prize shortlist champions literary maturity over novelty, featuring established authors including previous winner Kiran Desai. These six novels explore identity uncertainty and family disruption, from Susan Choi’s multi-generational Flashlight to Katie Kitamura’s thought-provoking Audition. Though predominantly middle-age narratives, they’re anything but safe or comfortable reading.
A Gripping Noir Thriller: Ring Twice for Mrs. Naren by Vijay Medtia
Twice for Mrs. Naren, published in 2025 by Rampart Books, is a sultry murder mystery that deftly blends elements of romance, crime, and psychological intrigue. Set against the vibrant yet chaotic backdrop of 1998 Delhi.
A Journey through Memory and Magic: An Expanded Look at Vidya Math’s “The Book of Gems”
Vidya Math’s “The Book of Gems” emerges as a captivating new entry in the magical fantasy genre, serving as the much-anticipated sequel to her earlier work, “The Book of Stamps.” While the first novel introduced readers to the enchanting world of Zohor through the innocent eyes of a little girl named Othelia, this new installment delves into a more mature and introspective chapter of her life.
Want Your Book Discussed at Sri Lanka’s Premier Weekly Sinhala Literary Forum? Here’s How to Submit to Asian Review Sinhala
The Asian Review Sinhala offers Sri Lankan authors a prestigious weekly literary platform in Gampaha. Submit 6 weeks before your desired event date with video clips, author photos, and biography to theasianreviewsinhala@gmail.com. All events are free and open to authors regardless of location, publishing history, or reputation.
The Asian Review Sinhala: Meet Our New Team as We Enter Our Third Year
After two years in Sri Lanka, The Asian Review Sinhala transitions into an independent literary platform under The Asian House of Literature. Meet our dynamic new team—Rasika Solanga arachchi (Country Coordinator), Pathum Punchihewa (Lead Moderator), and Oshini Jayarathna (Creative Coordinator)—as we continue fostering Sri Lanka’s vibrant literary community.
The Asian Prize for Poetry 2025 Long List Announced
The Asian Prizes announces the long list for the inaugural Asian Prize for Poetry 2025, featuring ten works from nine countries exploring the theme “The Earth.” The international jury, chaired by Ukrainian poet Iryna Vikyrchak, selected diverse voices spanning Ukraine, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
The Asian Prize for Short Story 2025 Long List Announced
The Asian Prizes has unveiled the long list for The Asian Prize for Short Story, featuring ten works from writers across India, Indonesia, and Singapore. The competition attracted hundreds of global submissions, evaluated by an international panel spanning Malaysia, India, Ukraine, and Tanzania. The shortlist announcement follows in October with winners declared by year-end.
Brussels to Host Inaugural European Edition of The Asian Literary Festival
Brussels becomes the first European city to host the Asian Literary Festival this October, marking a cultural milestone. The three-day celebration (3rd-5th October 2025) features over 30 events showcasing authors from Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe under the theme ‘Between Worlds—Reviving the Silk Route of Creative Expression’.
In-Depth Analysis: Deceptive Murders by Amitav Ganguly
“Deceptive Murders” is an engaging, fast-paced crime mystery with deceptive twists and a reader-friendly structure. It excels as a focused page-turner, ideal if you enjoy concise thrillers that keep you guessing.
Nirmala Govindarajan Joins The Asian Literary Agency’s Editorial Team
The Asian Literary Agency has announced a notable addition to its editorial board with the appointment of author and cultural curator Nirmala Govindarajan. The writer will take charge of the fiction segment as Literary Editor for subcontinental authors, bringing her extensive expertise in contemporary South Asian literature to the agency’s expanded operations.
Saga of Devotion, Family Curses and Divine Hope From the Author of ‘Cutting for Stone
Verghese’s The Covenant of Water flows like Kerala’s monsoon rivers—patient, powerful, inevitable. Through three generations haunted by mysterious drownings, we discover how ancient wisdom meets modern medicine. This isn’t merely storytelling; it’s an immersion into lives connected by water’s eternal covenant, where individual sorrows merge into humanity’s greater current.
When Art Met the Streets…
In early 20th-century New York, revolutionary artists abandoned fancy subjects to capture gritty, unvarnished American life. The Ashcan School painted tenements and taverns instead of Fifth Avenue socialites, earning the nickname “apostles of ugliness.” This democratic movement proved ordinary struggles deserved the highest artistic treatment, transforming how America saw itself.
Before The Genocide
Today marks the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica, commemorating the victims of this atrocity. The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution establishing 11 July as this day of remembrance in May 2024, despite opposition from Serbia, China, Russia, Belarus, and Nicaragua.
The Asian Review 