The JCB Prize shortlist
From some of the most powerful voices in Indian contemporary fiction.
Published 05.10.21, 07:54 AM
Established in 2018, the JCB Prize for literature is annually awarded to one extraordinary work of fiction. The nominees are chosen either from an Indian writer’s work in English or an English translation from an Indian language.
Here’s a look at this years’ shortlist. Can you read them all by the time the winner is announced on November 13, 2021?
Gods and Ends by Lindsay Pereira
An intriguing account of a Roman Catholic community tucked away in the suburbs of Bombay, this debut novel makes for a compelling read, shining a light on characters who remain in the shadows of the megacity’s glitz and glamour.
Name Place Animal Thing by Daribha Lyndem
Named after the popular children’s game, the tale is spun around a Khasi girl as she navigates life in a politically charged Shillong. Written from a child’s perspective, the debut novel captures the transition from childhood to adulthood in a gentle, insightful way, and gives us a glimpse of a bygone era in the beautiful town.
Anti Clock by V.J. James
James manages to create a curious mixed bag of ordinary, life-like characters, all of whom are seen through the eyes of Hendri, the coffin maker who lies at the heart of this novel. Originally written in Malayalam and translated by Ministhy S., Anti Clock grapples with that one philosophical question that has stumped thinkers since time immemorial — What if we could turn back time?
Delhi: A Soliloquy by M. Mukundan
Beginning in the 1960s, this novel centres around the Malayali community in Delhi, and runs well into the late ’80s, thereby spanning a particularly turbulent time in the history of India. Another translated work on the list, the book is an amalgamation of extraordinary moments from the lives of ordinary people who make Delhi what it is.
The Plague upon Us by Shabir Ahmed Mir
Set in Kashmir, reading this book feels like travelling through the memories of its protagonists. With the narration constantly switching among four friends, this debut novel is deeply stirring and deftly captures the trauma and poignancy of life in the Valley.
Time to add these titles to our ever-growing TBR!
- Upasya Bhowal
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