Pulau Pulau was a matchmaking initiative created for writers by writers to find a writing partner. The aim of the project was finding a writing partner to co-write something together that goes beyond what either could create on their own. It was organised by the archipelago collective, a transnational community of writers and artists. From across the world approx. 80+ writers have participated from 30+ different countries whose are generally writes in 50+ different languages.
The future belongs to those who can integrate the digital fluency of Generation Z with the deep reading capacities of previous generations. In that integration lies our best hope for citizens capable of both technological innovation and ethical wisdom—the combination our unstable world most desperately needs.
In Delhi, there lived a critic- his name was Venkat Swaminathan. I was in touch with him from the time I first moved to Delhi in 1978 until 1982. In 1979, he sublet a room in his house to me. Generally, I don’t ask anyone the usual ‘Indian’ questions, such as, where they work, if they are married, how many kids they have, or whether they own or rent their house.
” In an era when gadgets and media are conspiring to shorten the attention spans of readers, turning human beings into cyborgs, or even worse- living, breathing AI models, I see the act of sitting in your favorite spot with your favorite beverage and sinking into your book as an act of silent rebellion. “
‘Brussels, Naked’ is an experimental novel in the form of twelve interconnected novellas, each named after municipalities or neighbourhoods in Brussels, and each with a different narrator. It covers a period of fifteen years and is built around three main arcs: the life of Iris, Brussels itself as a protagonist and the EU crises, captured in the stories of ordinary people.
I was forty years old then. I had requested a transfer from Delhi to Chennai. Delhi, being the capital, it was easy to ask to be transferred to another city from there. Initially, I didn’t want to relocate to Chennai, but due to some unavoidable circumstances, I had to make the move.
Rohan Monteiro’s Shadows Rising brings to life an unlikely hero-irreverent, witty and foul-mouthed-who seems to not have a care in the world. Until someone crosses a line. it is an exciting, fresh and unique take on timeless Indian myths told from the POV of a protagonist who might just be a lot more involved in the epics than he cares to admit.
What can be done about it? More than one thing. Every form of solidarity and help is essential. It is important to understand that military aid in Ukraine is not a separate form of support, but part of humanitarian aid, which determines the existential to be or not to be.
But nowadays we are more aware of racism and other forms of bigotry, which fed all kinds of oppression and subjugation of peoples in the past.
This is a very great liberation for the suffering, struggling person, who always thinks that he is alone. This is why art is important.
It is a romanced attempt by a twenty-first-century Western European to read into the mind of a 16th-century Indian monarch
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 Asian Group of Literature is pleased to announce the launch of The Aisan Prize for Poetry’s inaugural edition. The Asian Prize for Poetry is a non-monitory award that aims to create a global platform of appreciation for the outstanding work of poetry by writers around the world.
Besides the nominations by the affiliated bookclubs of The Asian Group, the Prize is now open for submissions by the publishers. The submissions will be accepted till 15th February 2025.
Maria A Perdomo is an emerging Venezuelan poet who has penned two poetry collections so far. She writes in both Spanish and English. Currently based in Valencia, Venezuela, Maria is a medical professional who has shown an unyielding passion for literature. She is working on her first novel and a new poetry collection. Her writings are known for their boldly honest nature, soulfulness and intimacy.
V. V. Ganeshananthan’s win in The Asian Prize for Fiction highlights her remarkable talent and connects her work to a vast global audience. This achievement not only celebrates her literary artistry but also unifies three different literary landscapes. Her work has garnered significant recognition, as evidenced by winning three esteemed prizes: the 2024 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction, and The Asian Prize for Fiction in 2023. This commendation speaks to the impact of her writing on readers around the world.
fter a seven-month-long evaluation process, the Jury of The Asian Prize for Short Story announced the winner on December 15, 2024. Out of over 900 submissions, three stories made it to the shortlist: Litter by Shikhandin, The Perfect Lifeby Kushboo Shah, and The White Noise Lullaby by Natasha Sharma. Among them, Indian writer Natasha Sharma won The Asian Prize for Short Story 2024 for her work, The White Noise Lullaby.
The highlight of November was the eagerly awaited announcement of the Super Shortlist for The Asian Prize of Fiction, delivered by The Asian Committee on November 13, 2024. Out of six outstanding works of seamlessly woven prose that delve into unexplored themes and relevant social issues, three authors made it to the final list: Indian author Arefa Tehsin, Nepali-Indian author Smriti Ravindra, and American fiction writer V.V. Ganeshananthan.
At that time, we considered the Brahmins as outsiders. The Tamil they spoke was different. However, they treated us students like their own children. There was only one exception—our maths teacher, whom we called Arkay Saar. Despite being fond of us, on Mondays and Thursdays, if anyone hadn’t done their homework, he would grab his bamboo wand and beat the boy severely.
Bodhini Samaratunga is an accomplished emerging writer from Sri Lanka who is now based in Sweden. Her writing is firmly centred on social change, powered by her extensive experience as a medical professional working with marginalised populations. Bodhini is a strong advocate for purposeful writing, asserting that it transcends mere leisure.
The Asian Review 