The Best Books Set In India

India has always been a land of mystery and enchantment, and E.M. Forster’s classic novel, A Passage to India, does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the country. The story is set in the early 20th century and follows the experiences of several British tourists in India, as well as the Indian protagonist, Aziz. What begins as an unexceptional but well-meaning sightseeing outing to a famous cave erupts into a misunderstanding with devastating consequences.

He also provides insights into the country’s rich culture and history, giving readers a truly unique glimpse into India’s complex and fascinating society. A Passage to India is an impressive work of fiction that offers a beautiful and insightful portrait of India and its people.

In her novel, Small Days and Nights, Tishani Doshi captures the essence of India, exploring the country’s rich culture and diverse landscapes. The story follows the life of Grace who leaves her home in the United States to return to Pondicherry to cremate her Mother. Unexpectedly, whilst in India – she receives a house in the inheritance of her deceased Mother. The house is on the beaches of Madras and whilst there she meets an older sister she didn’t realise she had. Grace tries to leave her old self behind but encounters chaos living with her new older sister, Lucia.

Doshi expertly weaves together elements of myth and reality, creating a colourful tapestry of India’s past and present. Small Days and Nights is an intimate portrait of a country that is both foreign and familiar.

India is a country of colour and vibrancy, and The Color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi captures this atmosphere perfectly. The story follows two girls, Mukta and Tara, who become best friends growing up in India. Sadly, one evening, Mukta is kidnapped from her family home. Tara is devastated and what makes matters worse is that her family are moving to the United States shortly after. Several years later, Tara returns to India to try and find Mukta.

Trasi expertly captures the India of today, and cleverly draws comparisons between the country and the United States. For anyone looking for a captivating and unique read, I highly recommend The Color of Our Sky by Amita Trasi.

India is a land of contradictions – it is home to towering skyscrapers and teeming slums, ancient temples and modern malls. It is a country of contrasts, and this is never more evident than in the lives of its women. In The Henna Artist, Joshi tells the story of one such woman, Lakshi. A talented henna artist, Lakshi has always been independent and self-sufficient. She quickly becomes the most sought after henna artist, working exclusively with the wealthy upper-class women of Jaipur, learning their secrets and gossip.

India is a country with a rich and diverse culture, and The Henna Artist offers readers a glimpse into the lives of its people. Through the story of Lakshi and Radha, Joshi shows us the strength and resilience of India’s women.

India is a land of rich culture and history, and Yann Martel’s book Life of Pi does an excellent job of bringing some of that culture to life. The story follows the journey of a young boy, Pi, who is stranded on a lifeboat with a tiger for 227 days. Throughout the course of their journey, the two form an unlikely bond, and Pi must use all his ingenuity and strength to survive. Along the way, readers are given a glimpse into the beautiful landscapes of India and the customs and beliefs of its people.

The result is a story that is both captivating and eye-opening, one that will stay with readers long after they reach the final page. The book has also been turned into a film that achieved great success and critical acclaim.

The story follows the life of India native, Zoya who has a great education and a brilliant job. However, she does not conform to the expectations placed on her in India, and at 26 her family are fearful that she is not going to be unable to find a partner through the arranged marriage practice that is custom in that area. The book covers a wide range of topics, from arranged marriages to the expectations placed on women in India. Zoya is then faced with a big decision when a job offer from New York City appears.

Throughout the story, Zoya struggles to find a balance between her two cultures and ultimately learns that there is no single right way to live. The Rules of Arrangement is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in India and its customs.

There are many books set in India that explore its diverse history and traditions. The World We Found is one such book, telling the story of four women and their friendship. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the arranged marriages that are still commonplace in India to the difficulty of maintaining friendships across cultures. A story of secrets, unfulfilled dreams and redemption, The World We Found is an emotionally resonant story.

In addition, the book provides a glimpse into the everyday lives of ordinary people in India. As a result, The World We Found is an insightful and engaging read for anyone interested in India and its culture.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga is a story that covers various aspects of India and its culture. The book tells the story of a man named Balram, who is born into a lower-caste family. Despite his natural intelligence, he is forced to work as a servant for most of his life. However, Balram eventually manages to escape from his servitude and becomes a successful entrepreneur. In addition to Covering India’s caste system, The White Tiger also discusses poverty, corruption, and the country’s economic divide. As such, it offers readers a glimpse into the lives of those who are often marginalized in India.

The book was very well received and has now been made into a film with Netflix. The White Tiger remains a powerful and thought-provoking read.

The Far Pavilions is a historical fiction book set in India during the British rule in the 19th century. The story follows the life of Ashley, an English man who was brought up as a Hindu. The Far Pavilions is a story of his passionate yet risky love for an Indian princess called Juli.

Despite its length, The Far Pavilions is an easy read that provides a fascinating glimpse into another culture. India is a country with a rich history and diverse culture, and this book is a great way to learn more about it. The BBC named the book one of the 100 novels that shaped the world and we’re naming it one of the best books set in India.

If you’re looking for one of the all-time best books set in India, Midnight’s Children is a novel by Salman Rushdie that fits that bill. The story follows the main character, Saleem Sinai, a child born at the stroke of midnight. Saleem is born with special abilities that allow how to telepathically connect with 1,000 other ‘midnight’s children’. Each of these children born at midnight has been gifted with a range of unusual gifts.

Overall, Midnight’s Children is a book that provides a thorough overview of India and its culture. Full of disasters and triumphs, Midnight’s Children will keep you gripped until the end.

The Far Field by Madhuri Vijay is a beautifully written book that gives readers a glimpse into the culture and way of life in India. The story follows the main character, Shalini, a young woman from Bangalore who sets out for a remote Himalayan village following the death of her mother. She is convinced that there is a mysterious connection between the death and the disappearance of a man called Bashir Ahmed.

From the bustling city of Bangalore to the mountainous region of Kashmir, The Far Field covers a wide range of places and topics. Whether you’re interested in India or not, this book is sure to pull you in with its captivating story and striking writing.

Mother Land by Leah Franqui is a book that does an excellent job of capturing the essence of the country. The story follows Rachel Meyer, a woman from New York who agrees to move to Mumbai with her Indian-born husband, Dhruv. As if the culture shock of moving from New York to Mumbai is not enough, shortly after they arrive Dhruv’s mother turns up to live with them following her divorce from her husband. How will these two strong-willed women from cultural opposite ends of the spectrum exist together?

Mother Land is an engaging and insightful read that provides a rare glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in India. Highly recommended for anyone interested in reading about India and its culture, it’s certainly one of the best book set in India.

The story follows Panchaali, a young woman who is married off to the prince of a neighbouring kingdom as part of a peace agreement between two countries. Panchaali is thrust into a world of luxury and politics that she knows nothing about, and she must navigate the dangerous waters of the palace in order to survive. However, things become complicated when Panchaali experiences a secret attraction to a mysterious man who just so happens to be her husband’s enemy.

The Palace of Illusions is an engaging read that offers insights into India’s fascinating culture and history. Taking us back in time and sprinkling in magical elements, we are given a woman’s take on the tale of Mahabharata. We believe this to be one of the best books set in India.

The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is the sequel to the previously listed The Henna Artist. A book set in India that continues the story of Lakshmi, who has now taken on an intern, Malik, at the Jaipur Palace. Malik, returning to the Pink City of his childhood finds it hasn’t really changed much. Secrets are still worth favours and when a cinema balcony collapses on opening night, he knows there is definitely more to the story.

The book covers a lot of ground, both geographically and culturally. India is a huge country with a rich history and diverse culture, so there’s a lot to explore. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur does a great job of introducing readers to the people and places of India, and it’s sure to leave you wanting to learn more about this fascinating country.

In The God of Small Things, author Arundhati Roy tells the story of Rahel and Esthappen, fraternal twins living in Kerala in the 1960s. The book follows their relationship as they craft a future for themselves amongst India’s vats of banana jam and mountains of peppercorns. The book is set against a background of political turbulence in Southern India.

Throughout the novel, Roy intricately weaves together India’s history, culture, and politics to create a powerful portrait of a country in flux. The God of Small Things won the 1997 Booker prize and is widely considered to be one of the best books set in India.