Year ender 2023: The best Indian books of this year
2023 has been incredible for Indian literature as there were several books based on non-fiction, immigrant writing, and translation that have made a mark. From themes as diverse as power, class, family, and corruption to universal themes like love, loss, and belonging, this year was nothing short of incredible for bibliophiles. Let's take a look back at the best Indian books of 2023.
'Assassin' by KR Meera
The latest work by the renowned writer from Kerala is suspenseful from start to finish. The storyline revolves around a big city woman who has a near-death experience. However, she discovers the incident is far more complicated than expected — she was the target of an assassination, and the conspiracy doesn't end with her. The novel is dedicated to the late journalist Gauri Lankesh.
'Quarterlife' by Devika Rege
Devika Rege's breathtaking debut may be the book that defines "millennial India" because it skillfully captures the conversations and interests of a generation that is still in the experimentation stage. A new India is emerging around the protagonists of this novel where an assertive political party is in control and a certain level of optimism permeates the atmosphere.
'Fire Bird' by Perumal Murugan
Murugan's Fire Bird, the winner of the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature, tells the story of a man named Muthu, an ordinary man searching for permanence in a world devoid of it. His father's decision to divide up the family farmland, which leaves him with virtually nothing and forces his family into unfamiliar financial, geographic, and metaphorical territory, questions social critique.
'Western Lane' by Chetna Maroo
Maroo's debut, which is shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, capitalizes on the current national fascination with sports. The plot includes the 11-year-old Gopi, who has been playing squash since she was old enough to handle a racket. After her mother passes away, her father throws her into an intense training program, as a way for both of them to deal with their grief.
'Sakina's Kiss' by Vivek Shanbhag
As a mid-level executive with bland relationships with both his wife and daughter, the narrator Venkat is mired in a maze of mediocrity. In a twist reminiscent of Taken, his daughter disappears, and he must fight a world of men — police, politicians, gangsters, and tabloid journalists - to find her. It's a thrilling must-read! Check out more such book recommendations.
