12 Outstanding Books by Indian Writers

With a civilization that spans back to ancient times, India’s tradition and history form a rich tapestry for its literature. Despite the relatively shorter history of these written works, they still give us plenty of masterpieces that have won critical acclaim.

If you haven’t had the chance to explore works by Indian authors, we hope this list will help you find some of the best, so you can enjoy the books that have greatly impacted the country’s literature.

Best Fiction Books by Indian Authors

Here are some of our recommendations for books written by Indian authors that you should consider adding to your to-be-read list:

**1. Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya**

Set in the mid-20th century, this story follows Rukhmani, a woman from a poor, rural part of India, who is arranged to be married to a farmer named Nathan. The author expertly weaves the couple’s domestic challenges with the changes in their village following the rise of a large tannery.

**2. White Tiger by Arvind Adiga**

This prize-winning debut novel gives us a unique look at disparities in social class and contradicting standards in modern-day India. Balram Halwa, the first-person narrator, is a young man hailing from a small village entrenched in poverty who seeks work in Delhi driving the wealthy.

**3. The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy**

This New York Times bestselling modern classic, favorably likened to the works of Dickens and Faulkner, includes family drama, a forbidden love affair, and a complex political struggle. Estha and Rahel are 7-year-old twins whose entire lives are turned upside down when their cousin Sophie arrives.

**4. The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni**

See the perspective of the lead female character, Draupadi, in this retelling of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Draupadi is known for having been married to the five Pandava brothers, and this book explores, albeit in a fictional setting, her thoughts and motives throughout their foray into exile and war.

**5. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry**

Set in 1975 in an unnamed city by the sea, this novel follows the lives of four strangers, whose lives are thrown together in a tiny apartment with the government declaring a State of Emergency. How do a young student, two tailors, and a high-spirited widow grow from clear mistrust to an enduring friendship?

**6. The Guide by R.K. Narayan**

Raju used to be one of the most corrupt tourist guides in India. But after he is released from jail, he hides in an abandoned temple, where people mistake him for a holy man. Deciding to play this role, he ends up being put to the test for his newfound morality.

**7. The Storyteller’s Secret by Sejal Badani**

Inspired by her grandmother, who died in a tragic event in post-British India, the author weaves this story around Jaya, a journalist in New York, who suffers a third miscarriage and struggles with a broken marriage. To deal with these troubles, she heads to India and learns about her family’s past.

**8. Small Days and Nights by Tishani Doshi**

In the aftermath of marriage problems, Grace Marisola flies back to India for her mother’s cremation. Unexpectedly, she inherits a house on the beach, and discovers an older sister with Down Syndrome whom she never knew about. How will she adjust to this new life full of bewilderment, fury, tenderness, and chaos?

**9. A Slice From the Past by TKB Sinha**

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Raju is a young Indian boy, who, with his two sisters, is brought up by their maternal grandmother. Despite their poor financial conditions, the children enjoy their life together, and the story is rife with the themes of family, love, and faith.

Best Nonfiction Books by Indian Authors

If you prefer nonfiction books, here are some you can try, also by Indian writers:

**10. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma**

Translated into fifty languages, this bestselling book sold more than four million copies thanks to its timeless wisdom and practical principles for success. The book shares these insights through the story of a misguided lawyer named Julian Mantle, whose emotional and physical collapse forced him to take a deeper look into his life’s purpose.

**11. Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India by Shashi Tharoor**

The author describes what happened to India from the time of the British colonization, which marked the arrival of the East India Company. He explores why India’s contribution to the world economy crashed as much as sixfold after 200 years of British rule.

**12. You Can Win by Shiv Khera**

This guide offers practical, common sense advice for achieving success. These tips include building confidence through positive thinking, succeeding by transforming your weaknesses into strengths, gaining trust by doing things with the right motive, and eliminating hindrances to effectiveness.

**13. India After Gandhi: The History of the World Largest Democracy by Ramachandra Guha**

Follow the political, social, and economic events that India has endured while preserving its commitment to democracy. The author uses a biographical and historical perspecitve throughout this book, making it a riveting read for anyone interested in the history of India.

**14. The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture, and Identity by Amartya Sen**

Enjoy this work by a Nobel Laureate as he unpacks the different dimensions of life in his beloved India. He goes as far back as the ancient times to take a look at the factors that made India what it is today, giving us a peek at the very rich cultural heritage of this nation.

Celebrating Indian Writers

Expanding your booklist to include writers from different countries is crucial in developing a global worldview. And the great thing about reading books by Indian authors is the long-standing history and tradition that India enjoys, giving you a glimpse of a rich culture from a fresh perspective.

If you’ve never tried reading books from non-American authors, we encourage you to give it a try. You may end up falling in love with a whole new culture!

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