Connect with us

Books

Arundhati Roy and Meena Kandaswamy running for the 2018 Women’s prize for fiction

Published

on

Arundhati Roy

The Women’s Prize for Fiction announced its 2018 longlist of 16 novels on International Women’s Day in London. Two Indian authors are amongst the 16, from around the world to be shortlisted

Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran 

The Women’s Prize for Fiction, previously known as the Baileys Prize, announced its longlist for 2018 on March 8. (International Women’s day)

Arundhati Roy’s The Ministry of Utmost Happiness and Meena Kandasamy’s When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife are among the 16 novels longlisted this year.This year’s longlist covers both new and well-established writers, like Booker Prize-winning Arundhati, and a range of genres. There are six debut novels on the list and four nationalities are represented including India, the UK, US, and Australia.

Arundhati, 56, who won the Booker Prize for her debut novel The God of Small Things in 1997, had been longlisted for the 2017 Booker for The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, but missed out being shortlisted. The sprawling story that it is, has two main strands. One follows Anjum, a hijra, or transwoman, struggling to make a life for herself in Delhi. The other follows Tilo, a thorny and irresistible architect turned activist (who seems to be modeled on Arundhati herself), and the three men who fall in love with her…..

Image Source: Meena Kandaswamy

When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife; by Meena Kandaswamy is a dazzling and provocative novel of an abusive marriage. It’s a slightly difficult book to read despite the stark beauty of her language and despite the fact that this is a fictionalized telling of her own marriage. But it’s definitely a powerful book with substance and brutal honesty.

The Women’s prize was set up in 1996, following a year when not a single female author was shortlisted for the Booker prize. Sarah Sands, 2018 chair of judges and Editor of BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme,  said the longlist this year demonstrated that the prize was not “a special-pleading award” for writers who wouldn’t make it in other circumstances.

Any woman writing in English – whatever her nationality, country of residence, age or subject matter – is eligible. Sarah leads this year’s team of judges that include British Indian journalist and broadcaster Anita Anand, comedian Katie Brand, Women’s Equality Party co-founder Catherine Mayer and actor Imogen Stubbs.

“What is striking about the list, apart from the wealth of talent, is that women writers refuse to be pigeon-holed. We have searing social realism, adventure, comedy, poetic truths, ingenious plots and unforgettable characters,” said Sarah Sands.

The prize will be awarded on June 6 at an awards ceremony in central London.

The Longlist:

H(A)PPY, Nicola Barker
The Idiot, Elif Batuman
Three Things About Elsie, Joanna Cannon
Miss Burma, Charmaine Craig
Manhattan Beach, Jennifer Egan
The Mermaid And Mrs Hancock, Imogen Hermes Gowar
Sight, Jessie Greengrass
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman
When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait Of The Writer As A Young Wife, Meena Kandasamy
Elmet, Fiona Mozley
The Ministry Of Utmost Happiness, Arundhati Roy
See What I Have Done, Sarah Schmidt
A Boy In Winter, Rachel Seiffert
Home Fire, Kamila Shamsie
The Trick To Time, Kit de Waal
Sing, Unburied, Sing, Jesmyn Ward

 

Click Here, to read more about Arundhati Roy: http://www.fwdlife.in/pen-is-mightier-than-the-sword

http://www.fwdlife.in/tell-shattered-story-ministry-utmost-happiness

http://www.fwdlife.in/five-mus-reads-from-indian-authors

Advertisement
Comments

Books

The Power of Book Adaptations : Movies Based on Books

Published

on

Literature represents the classic yet timeless mode of amusement. The Gen Z no longer spend their lives according to conventional schedules. Many excellent films that faithfully adapt the texts have been made. Retelling a best-selling paperback and hard copy, however, is no easy feat. Because classic texts are difficult to read at first, teenagers with impatient attitudes watch films to quickly pick up the archaic language. Movies bring teens’ imaginations to life through virtual presentations since they are still too young to fully consider the characters and stories they are creating in their heads.

We’ve selected ten of the best books that have been adapted into films, ranging from classic literature, thrillers, and mysteries to fantasy, love stories, and tales for teenagers. All of the works are excellent; we selected those that are best-sellers, critically acclaimed, or have had a significant impact on contemporary literature and popular culture. What about the films? Well, some are excellent pieces of art unto themselves. While the novels that influenced some of them live on in readers’ memories forever, others were quickly forgotten.

Little Women

Little Women is a beloved coming-of-age story that was first released in two parts and is still incredibly relevant today. The March sisters are a shining example of family love and a tie that will not be shattered by the Civil War that rages on near their New England home. They have a tomboy author-to-be, a weak yet gorgeous sister, and the hopeless romantic. This classic story would be ideal for a mother-daughter book club read. With nominations for multiple awards, the most recent Little Women movie does the novel proud. It not only introduces a new generation to one of the best books ever written, but it also provides the story with the resolution that the author always wanted but was never able to achieve due to the times in which she lived.

 Hunger Games

It would be reckless of us to list the greatest book-to-movie adaptations without including The Hunger Games. A bestselling book series with a horde of loyal fans is seldom easy to adapt, but this one was an enormous hit. The movie, which starred Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth, was well-received by critics and audiences alike when it was released. The screenplay for this book to movie adaption was written by Suzanne Collins, demonstrating how closely the movie adheres to the original plot. Even a few words are lifted precisely from the novel! 

Harry Potter

Despite having eight films, J.K. Rowling’s story had to be significantly trimmed for the Harry Potter film series, which has two credited screenwriters and four directors. Though the films follow the same progression from a bubbly children’s tale to the darker, more morally difficult story that you find in the later books, they are fairly loyal to both the plot and the character development that is Rowling’s great talent. For fans who can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ve just read about, these are the perfect adaptations.

The Devil Wears Prada

Despite Lauren Weisberger’s novel’s success, the film portrays Miranda Priestly as one of the greatest villains in cinematic history, and it is an upgrade. The film takes Miranda’s character to a darker place and offers the story a more satisfying resolution than the novel, which ended on a totally different emotional note before it was even finished.

Lord Of The Rings

In a broad sense, Peter Jackson’s trilogy of films is quite true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic epic fantasy writings. Jackson greatly simplified the plot, however not many people had issue with there not being enough Tom Bombadil in it. With the use of cutting-edge computer graphics, Jackson was able to portray the most well-known fantasy universe ever imagined in a realistic and convincing manner while retaining the essential elements of hope, bravery, and despair.

Silence Of The Lamps

Although Jonathan Demme’s adaptation mostly follows Thomas Harris’s novel, it adds two significant elements: Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. Because of these two actors’ outstanding, enduring, and viscerally believable performances, a dark, twisty thriller became a permanent fixture of popular culture. All you have to do is mention the word “Clarice” with one of Hopkins’s trademark inflections, and everyone will know what you’re talking about.

Crazy Rich Asians

Just five years after Kevin Kwan’s charming, satirical romantic comedy debuted, Jon M. Chu created a stunning film adaptation of it. The intimate relationships, inner workings, and nuanced expectations of Singaporean high society were all captured in the film, which became an instant smash. In addition to receiving fantastic reviews and multiple nominations for Golden Globe Awards, it naturally raised interest in the book itself. 

Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Truman Capote’s darker, more vicious novella was adapted into an epic film that is still regarded as a cultural classic. Capote’s tale of a lady attempting to salvage some glitter from the ruins of her life is heartfelt, sorrowful, and ultimately exquisite. The film ends on a positive, romantic note, while toning down the queer, tragic, and prostitute undertones. Nevertheless, each of these elements is strong, unforgettable, and bordering on brilliance.

Anna Karenina

For good reason, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is frequently regarded as the best book ever written. With subtle undertones of mental illness and touching on issues of adultery, love, humanity, and life in Russia, Tolstoy tells his expansive tale without resorting to oppressive morals. Rather, the reader is asked to peer into these lives as a voyeuristic observer, not passing judgement on the shortcomings of his characters. With 864 pages, Tolstoy’s work is by no means short. Despite this, four films have attempted to depict it, with the most imaginative and opulent being the 2012 adaptation starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law, and Domhnall Gleason.

The Color Purple

The Color Purple, Alice Walker’s 1982 book, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. This is among the greatest books ever written because of Walker’s moving and vivid writing. One of the best works about racial relations in early 20th-century America because of the story’s cultural significance. It’s also among the best books that have been adapted into films because to Menno Meyjes’ excellent script. In this epic story of an African American woman (played by Whoopi Goldberg) living in the South and enduring unbelievable abuse and bigotry, Steven Spielberg coproduced it with Quincy Jones. His direction does the book justice and brings Walker’s significant tale to life for generations of new audiences.

 

Continue Reading

Books

Transform Your Life with These 10 Life-Changing Self-Help Books

Published

on

Self-help books have become a popular genre in recent years, offering readers a chance to explore their inner selves, identify areas for personal growth, and learn new strategies for overcoming challenges. With so many books to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To help you on your journey of self-discovery and personal transformation, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 self-help books that have had a profound impact on readers worldwide.

 

  1. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle – This book teaches readers the importance of being present in the moment and letting go of the past and future to find inner peace.

 

  1. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey – This classic book explores the habits of successful people and offers practical advice on how to incorporate them into your own life.

 

  1. “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho – This novel tells the story of a young shepherd who sets out to find his personal legend, teaching readers to follow their dreams and trust in the universe.

 

  1. “Daring Greatly” by Brené Brown – This book explores the power of vulnerability and encourages readers to embrace it as a key component of personal growth.

 

  1. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear – This book explores the science of habit formation and offers practical advice on how to build good habits and break bad ones.

 

  1. “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod – This book outlines a morning routine designed to increase productivity, improve health, and promote personal growth.

 

  1. “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz – This book explores four key agreements that can transform your life: be impeccable with your word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do your best.

 

  1. “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert – This book explores the creative process and encourages readers to pursue their passions and live a creative life.

 

  1. “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin – This book outlines a year-long project in which the author set out to improve her overall happiness, offering practical advice for readers to do the same.

 

  1. “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor E. Frankl – This book tells the author’s personal story of survival in a concentration camp during World War II and offers insight into finding meaning and purpose in life.

 

These books have helped countless readers overcome challenges, find inner peace, and achieve personal growth. Whether you’re looking to improve your relationships, build better habits, or find your life’s purpose, there’s a self-help book out there that can guide you on your journey.

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Books

Great Places to Celebrate Reading on World Book Day

Published

on

Buying books at a discount is every bibliophile’s dream- be it old or new. And online stores that offer books at prices cheaper than Amazon are becoming increasingly popular in the Covid-era. Here is a list of 3 Indian online book stores with some amazing deals to shop for as many books as you want guilt-free!

Best of Used Books

Yes, they sell books starting at just Rs. 99/-. And no, it is not a hoax. You can find a range of bestselling works by Sudha Murthy, Chetan Bhagat and Sidney Sheldon besides classics by Hemingway at this price. They also have a collection of rare books and magazines for those who love to keep a collector’s edition. The store always has great deals to go in for the haul mid-month.

99 Books Cart

Some of their coolest offers include the ‘15 Mixed Fiction Books at Rs. 999/-’ and their ‘Combos at Rs. 699/-’ featuring books by Jodie Piccoult, Suzzane Collins, and John Grisham. Also, their 11-day book fair ending on 24th April 2022 is currently a rage in Bangalore.

The Right Book Store

The store offers a 60-70% discount on all of their books. All of the hot-selling self-help, non-fiction and lifestyle-oriented books are available under Rs.150/- at this store. From Ikigai to Atomic Habits and the Psychology of Money their sale price is to kill for. Their Mystique Box Collection is something you can look forward to surprise yourself or your fellow bookaholics!

 Words By: Mariam Thankam Mohan

Continue Reading

Facebook

Trending