Dive Into the World of Indian Fiction With These Captivating Short Story Collections That Showcase the Best of the Country's Literary Talent.
Do you enjoy Indian literature? You should definitely check out these top 10 Indian short story collections.
"Interpreter of Maladies," - Jhumpa Lahiri
The nine short stories in "Interpreter of Maladies," which won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, examine the lives of Indian immigrants in the United States. Lahiri’s writing is moving and evocative, and it sensitively captures the complexity of interpersonal relationships.
"The Illustrated Man," - Ray Bradbury
Even though Bradbury isn’t an Indian author, his collection of short stories has had an enormous influence on Indian literature. The science-fiction classic "The Illustrated Man" has been translated into several Indian languages and has served as an inspiration for many Indian authors.
"Godan" - Munshi Premchand
Premchand is one of the greatest authors of Hindi literature, and his collection of stories, "Godan," explores themes of poverty, oppression, and the struggle for survival in rural India.
"The Blue Umbrella," - Ruskin Bond
A beloved piece of Indian children’s literature, "The Blue Umbrella" is a charming collection of tales set in Mussoorie’s picture-perfect hills. Bond writes in a whimsical, endearing style that is frequently tinged with nostalgia.
"Malgudi Days" - R.K. Narayan
A classic of Indian literature, Narayan’s collection of short stories is set in the made-up town of Malgudi. The tales explore ordinary people’s lives and the problems they encounter daily with wit, humour, and compassion.
"The Thing About Thugs," - Tabish Khair
Khair’s collection of short stories offers a dark and subversive perspective on the Indian British Raj. These stories dispute the popular colonial stories of the time and are told from the viewpoint of Indian characters.
"The Goat Thief" - Perumal Murugan
"The Goat Thief" is a collection of tales that are set in rural Tamil Nadu villages and explore themes of love, loss, and the battle for survival in a hostile and unforgiving environment. Murugan writes in a spare, evocative style that sensitively captures the essence of rural life.
"The House of Blue Mangoes," - David Davidar
"The House of Blue Mangoes” is a collection of tales that delves into the lives of a family over three generations and is set in the lush Tamil Nadu landscapes. Davidar’s writing is richly descriptive and captures the sights, sounds, and smells of India with great vividness.
"The Assassination of Indira Gandhi," - Upamanyu Chatterjee
In a collection of satirical tales that examine the absurdity of contemporary Indian society, Chatterjee’s writing is witty, irreverent, and frequently biting in its criticism of the political establishment.
"The Greatest Urdu Stories Ever Told," - Muhammad Umar Memon
This anthology, which includes works by some of the greatest Urdu authors ever, such as Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, and Rajinder Singh Bedi, is a veritable gold mine of Urdu literature. The beauty and diversity of the Urdu language are expertly and sensitively translated by Memon.
