Poet, writer and musician, Jeet Thayil worked as a journalist for more than two decades and turned to writing fiction in 2006, shooting to fame with Narcopolis, his Booker-prize-nominated debut novel. His latest book, Names of the Women, centres around women characters from the Bible who have been misunderstood or forgotten, and retells familiar stories from fresh perspectives.
How did Names of the Women first take shape?
I’ve been reading the Bible since I was in my teens, as a literary text primarily, and I’ve quoted selections in early poems as a call-and-response device, using the quotes as a grounding element. On a recent reading, it struck me that some of the pivotal stories involve women who are never named or given narrative prominence. I wondered what would happen if a writer were to place the women of the Bible at the centre rather than the periphery of the story. Once that thought occurred to me, everything else fell into place and I wrote the novel very quickly.
How did you decide which women you would feature?
Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
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Denne historien er fra April 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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READER'S DIGEST-BOOKS
These book summaries highlight Siddharthya Roy's exploration of conflict and violence, Michael Castleman's deep dive into the history of publishing, and Swadesh Deepak's examination of social issues and masculinity through Hindi literature.
Man with printed sarong
A lawyer, pianist, critic, and mentor to artists, Lionel Wendt is best known for his photographs of Sri Lanka, especially those of people indigenous to the island, captured amidst the lush landscape or posing in his studio.
Too Much?
New studies show that even moderate drinking is a health hazard. Here’s a frank look at the toll alcohol takes on the body
ME & MY SHELF
Coimbatore-born Prashanth Srivatsa is a science fiction/fantasy writer whose stories have appeared in magazines such as Asimov’s, Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance. magazines such as Asimov's, Magazine of Fantasy Science Fiction and Three-Lobed Burning Eye, among others. Prashanth’s debut fantasy novel, The Spice Gate chronicles the journey of Amir, a young man born with special abilities who unravels the power that keeps the world in balance.
Small Business, Big Heart
Caring for people is part of the deal at family-run shops
Spill the Beans
Everyone has secrets. Here's why you should share yours
It Happens ONLY IN INDIA
Angry lovers are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.
FULL STEAM AHEAD!
I GOT THE CHANCE TO DRIVE THE WORLD'S LAST SCHEDULED STEAM TRAIN
Stressed and Worn Down
More and more people are clenching and grinding their teeth. Here's what to do about it
THIS BACON FAKERY MUST STOP
I was recently given bacon-flavoured dental floss for my birthday.