Historical Fiction Books

Human Acts Han Kang Review

Human Acts | Han Kang | Book Review

In ‘Human Acts,’ the poignant aftermath of Gwangju’s 1980 uprising unfolds in visceral tales of survival and loss. Dong Ho’s mother grapples with profound grief, prisoners endure unspeakable tortures, a publisher confronts relentless censorship, and a lost soul seeks solace. Interwoven narratives expose the enduring scars etched by rebellion, painting a haunting portrait of resilience and the human spirit.

Dark Star by Ranbir Sidhu Book Review

Dark Star | Ranbir Sidhu | Book Review

“Dark Star” unveils the silent struggles of a gifted woman in Punjab, shackled by a lifetime of male dominance. Once cherished for her psychic sight, she now lies alone, powerless, and forgotten, yearning to share her untold stories before the shadows of her past consume her. A tale of resilience and lost dreams.

The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi Book Review

The Perfumist of Paris | Alka Joshi | Book Review

Delve into ‘The Perfumist of Paris,’ a captivating finale to the Jaipur Trilogy. Radha, immersed in fragrances and love, navigates life’s complexities, finding her true calling in the heart of Paris. Immerse yourself in a journey of scents, family, and unexpected encounters, as this spellbinding tale weaves India and Paris into an evocative tapestry of emotions and empowerment.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong Book Review

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous | Ocean Vuong | Book Review

In On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, Little Dog writes a letter in English to his uneducated Vietnamese mother at a time when he is in his late twenties. He documents the history of his family that begins much before he was born, with the story of his grandmother Lan. Like many Vietnamese families of that era, their story too is rooted in war. It starts with the war and it is the war that dictates what eventually becomes of them.

Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni Book Review

Independence | Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni | Book Review

Set during the time of the partition of India, in a rural village in Bengal, the story narrates the tales of three sisters – Priya, Deepa, and Jamini. They are the daughters of the respected village doctor, Nabhkumar. Their happy and sheltered family suddenly breaks apart when their father Nabhkumar is killed during a riot and they find themselves all alone, in a situation so terrible that even their neighbours have turned against them.

The Stationery Shop of Tehran Marjan Kamali Book Review

The Stationery Shop of Tehran | Marjan Kamali | Book Review

As the 1950s began, Iran was welcoming a revolution. Their new Prime Minister brought in numerous reforms. There was education, dance, art, and freedom. As is the case with every politician, he too had both – staunch supporters and enemies. For young Roya and Bahman who shared similar political ideologies, marriage was the imminent plan. But fate had other plans for them.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid Book Review

Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid | Book Review

Carrie Soto is the best tennis player ever to walk this planet, She retired after having won twenty Grand Slam titles, but now six years later, as she is sitting in the stands to watch the 1994 US open and her world record being broken by the stunning and magnificent player Nicki Chan, she can’t help but feel a tad disappointed. Now at 37, she decides to come out of her retirement and play for one last year so that she may reclaim her record.

I Remember Abbu by Humayun Azad Book Review

I Remember Abbu | Humayun Azad | Book Review

Translated from the Bengali edition titled ‘Abbu K Mone Pore’ into English by Arunava Sinha, I Remember Abbu is a soul-stirring tale, told from the perspective of a little girl who used to share a deep bond with her father, but who hasn’t seen her father for 16 odd years. It is a story that unravels the tale of the birth of a nation and its many children who have met with a similar fate.

The Drop and the Glop Sanjiv Saran Book

The Drop and the Glop | Sanjiv Saran | Book Review

A power-hungry Pakistani politician is busy paving the path for his future success, all the while being involved in a scandalous affair with a dusky beauty. A nomadic Bakarwal shepherd girl is inducted as an undercover infiltrator. A gorgeous young beauty gets recruited as a CIA agent. A Delhi teenage boy, just out of high school, lands up in the Himalayas as a hitchhiker.

Balidanam बलिदानम् Manu Saunkhla Book Review

बलिदानम् (Balidanam) | मनु सौंखला | पुस्तक समीक्षा

जहां तक इस उपन्यास के कालक्रम का प्रश्न है यह 4000 वर्ष पूर्व पृथयानी राजवंश को लेकर रचा गया है, जिसके केंद्रबिंदु 2000 वर्ष (ईसा पूर्व) पृथयानी के राजा अश्रवण, रानी नंदिनी तथा उनका परिवार है।
अपने प्रारंभिक भाग में तो यह ऐतिहासिक परिवेश पर रची गई सामान्य कहानी प्रतीत होती है परंतु, जैसे-जैसे कहानी गति प्राप्त करती है उसमें एक नई सोच और सामाजिक क्रांति का बीजारोपण होता हुआ दिखाई देता है।

Honor-by-Thrity-Umrigar

Honor | Thrity Umrigar | Book Review

Smita Agarwal, who left India as a teen two decades ago and doesn’t want anything to do with this country, comes back to cover a story. The story is of Meena Mustafa, a woman whose house was set on fire when she was pregnant. In Honor, Thrity talks about casteism, patriarchy, religious fanaticism, crime, and India’s legal setup.