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Booker prize finalist Sunjeev Sahota writes a captivating multigenerational saga

China Room by 2015 Booker Prize nominee Sunjeev Sahota has received widespread global attention as one of the biggest and most ambitious books to look out for this year, and Penguin Random House India is proud to announce its publication in May 2021. It will be simultaneously published by Penguin Random House in the UK and in North America.

Inspired in part by the author’s own family history, China Room is a riveting novel about two characters separated by more than half a century but united by blood.

Mehar, a young bride in rural Punjab of 1929, is trying to discover the identity of her new husband. Married to three brothers in a single ceremony, she and her now-sisters spend their days hard at work in the family’s ‘china room’, sequestered from contact with the men—except when their domineering mother-in-law, Mai, summons them to a darkened chamber at night. Curious and strong-willed, Mehar tries to piece together what Mai doesn’t want her to know. From beneath her veil, she studies the sounds of the men’s voices and the calluses on their fingers as she serves them tea. Soon, she glimpses something that seems to confirm which of the brothers is her husband. A series of events is set in motion, which will put more than one life at risk. As the early stirrings of the Indian independence movement rise around her, Mehar must weigh her own desires against the reality—and danger—of her situation.

Spiralling around Mehar’s story is that of a young man who arrives at his uncle’s house in Punjab in the summer of 1999, hoping to shake off an addiction that has held him in its grip for more than two years. Growing up in small-town England as the son of an immigrant shopkeeper, his experiences of racism, violence and estrangement from the culture of his birth lead him to seek a dangerous form of escape. As he rides out his withdrawal at his family’s ancestral home—an abandoned farmstead, its china room mysteriously locked and barred—he begins to knit himself back together, gathering strength for the journey home.

At once sweeping and intimate, lush and propulsive, China Room is a stunning achievement from a contemporary master.

Author Sunjeev Sahota says, ‘I’m delighted that my novel China Room, set largely in Punjab, is with Penguin Random House India, who have already shown such commitment to the book and to me. I’m very much enjoying working with Tarini and the team.’

Sunjeev Sahota is the author of Ours Are the Streets and The Year of the Runaways, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and the Dylan Thomas Prize, and was awarded a European Union Prize for Literature. In 2013, he was named one of Granta’s twenty ‘Best of Young British Novelists’ of the decade.

 

Commenting on the book, Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘China Room is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve put it down. Set in rural Punjab, spanning across generations, this story is full of moments of pain that are carefully layered within the plot—the pain of what it was like to be a woman in the 1920s, forbidden to love, and the pain of a young man today who has lost his identity. Sunjeev Sahota is one of the most gifted fiction writers I have read, and we are so delighted to be publishing him.’

Sanjaya Baru’s new book is the exciting inside story of India’s power elite

From the corridors of Parliament to Delhi’s hidden durbars and their invisible puppet masters, India’s Power Elite tells the untold story of Indian society

One of India’s most astute political commentators, Sanjaya Baru unveils in his new book India’s Power Elite: Caste, Class and Cultural Revolution the emerging dynamics of the power elites in contemporary India. To be released in April 2021 by Penguin Random House India under the Viking imprint, it is currently available on pre-order across all major e-commerce sites.

Known for his piercing critique, exacting narration and insider’s authenticity, Sanjaya Baru has followed up his hugely successful account of power politics in The Accidental Prime Minister with a new book that dissects the fault lines and power struggles dominating our political, economic and social institutions. Offering us a ringside view of the shifts in power in ‘Lutyens’ Delhi’ and across India, Baru pulls the curtains back on the nerve centres that shape the nation’s destiny. India’s Power Elite is both entertaining and analytical, and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the levers of power operate in India today.

Commenting on the book, author Sanjaya Baru says, ‘When The Accidental Prime Minister was published, it was received enthusiastically by readers who felt it offered them an insight into the dynamics of power in Lutyens’ Delhi. However, most members of the “Delhi Durbar” criticized me for doing precisely that—opening a window to the outside after having entered its door. Reflecting on the nature of Indian elites and their power, this book seeks to understand how political change wrought by the decline of the Congress and the rise of the BJP is altering the morphology of the power elite. I examine the dynamics of political, economic and cultural power in contemporary India.’

About the author:

Sanjaya Baru presently teaches at the Indian School of Public Policy. Having been the editor of India’s major financial dailies, he also served as an adviser to the prime minister of India and as secretary general, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He was director for Geo-Economics and Strategy at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, London, and a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board in 1999–2001.

Brand new edition of best-selling Exam Warriors by Narendra Modi to release this March

New Delhi, 5 March 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the publication of the new and enhanced edition of Exam Warriors, written by honourable Prime of Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. After the resounding success of the first edition, this latest version brings forth a wholesome and inspirational guide for anyone who considers life an endless learning experience. Scheduled to be released in March 2021, the book is currently available on pre-order at e-commerce sites.

The second edition of Exam Warriors proposes a systematic approach to tackling challenges students face outside and inside classrooms, touching upon diverse themes such as competing with oneself, discovering oneself, time management, technology, gratitude and goal setting. Taking into account the effects of the pandemic, the disruptions, the uncertainties, the sudden shift to a ‘new normal’, this book has many new and relevant topics that will prepare readers not only for exams but also for life as a whole.

Presenting concepts and principles as Mantras, Exam Warrior has been an effective and inspirational pathfinder for students. However, this new version will also have Mantras for parents. Keen observations and thoughtful research have brought forth some crucial topics relevant for parents, such as the role of technology, importance of encouragement, raising awareness on mental health and many more. This edition will also have a special impactful address from the author and our honourable Prime Minister for the educators and teachers, thanking them for their service and sharing some insights that will lead them to give their students an immersive and enriching learning experience.

While announcing the upcoming edition of the Exam Warrior at the latest Mann Ki Baat episode, the honourable Prime Minister addressed the youth of the country who are preparing to take their exams soon. He advised them to become warriors not worriers, to tackle their exams with a smile and to be in competition with no one but themselves. Speaking about the book, he said, ‘The pandemic gave me the opportunity to take out some time to add new Mantras in the new edition of Exam Warrior. Now it has few Mantras for parents, as well as a lot of interesting activities related to the Narendra Modi App, which will help ignite the Exam Warrior in students.’

Penguin to publish the memoir of award-winning film-maker Onir

Photo credits - Areesz Ganddi

Penguin Random House India are delighted to announce the acquisition of the intimate and dramatic memoirs of award-winning film-maker Onir. The book will be released in 2022 under the Viking imprint.

Craftsman extraordinaire, Onir shares his fascinating journey in this book, co-written with his sister, Irene Dhar Malik, an award-winning film editor, screenwriter and short-story writer. He narrates deeply personal experiences, laying bare the struggles and triumphs that moulded him on his path to success. He offers readers a rare glimpse of his life, from his childhood days in Bhutan to when he was a young man with no connections in the Hindi film industry and later when he faced especially turbulent times. From the beginning of his career, Onir bravely asserted his sexual identity in a conservative, competitive environment. Despite seemingly insurmountable odds, he dreamt big and fought hard to carve a niche for himself.

Onir writes about his creative process and the off-beat films he has chosen to make, how by drawing on his life he confronted and transcended frontiers, to be ultimately rewarded with admiration and worldwide critical acclaim. The book also offers exclusive behind-the-scenes views of the making of some of his most popular films.

Onir is today one of the few in the industry who are confidently and openly queer, making him an inspiring figure for India’s youth. This exhilarating, moving book will encourage many to look beyond their shackles and follow their heart.

Thinking back on the inspiration for the book, Onir says, ‘I was initially a little hesitant about it, thought that it is perhaps too early to be writing my memoir. But I then realized that there are so many youngsters who message me about being afraid to pursue their dreams, be it about their career choices and beliefs, or about accepting and asserting their identity in terms of gender and sexuality. I hope my journey resonates with some of them and helps them live their dreams.’

Talking about the process, Irene says, ‘It’s been a rather unusual and exciting experience for me to co-write my brother’s memoir, but I was perhaps best suited for the job, having been around since the time Onir was born! We have had fun remembering stories from our childhood, even as we also went over some painful times, tried to put things in perspective, and corrected each other’s memory lapses. Along the way, also came the realization that his has been quite an incredible journey, and I’m glad that we’re documenting it.’

Richa Burman, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Onir’s story is unlike any other in the Hindi film industry. Through this much-needed memoir, commissioned by Kanishka Gupta of Writer’s Side Literary Agency, Onir’s admirers will get to see up-close the sensitive, thoughtful man behind all the glitter and the glory. Co-written with his accomplished sister, Irene, this book is sure to tug at your heartstrings.’

Writer-Journalist Snigdha Poonam’s new book on India’s scam culture

New Delhi, 24 February 2021: Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition and publication of another remarkable work of non-fiction by independent journalist and writer Snigdha Poonam. She once again navigates the sociocultural landscape of India and maps the evolution of corruption in the country. Titled India: A Scamster Born Every Minute, it is pegged to be an eye-opening exposé on the subculture of scams, cons and frauds in India. Acquired from the leading international literary agency, The Wylie Agency, it will be released under Penguin’s Viking imprint in 2022. Prior to this, Penguin had published Snigdha’s critically acclaimed debut book Dreamers: How Young Indians Are Changing the World in 2018.

In our country, corruption may seem deep-rooted, almost a way of life, and it must have started from somewhere. How did India get here? Does corruption exist only between governments and beneficiaries? Or can it happen between neighbours, Facebook friends and strangers across the country? How has corruption warped the Indian society? What does it mean for the social order, in India and elsewhere, when fraud becomes a way of life?

Drawing from extensive research, Snigdha Poonam examines the genesis behind one of the most notorious social epidemics of our times. Presenting multiple explanations and anecdotes, this book addresses the many issues that have given way to corruption and scams. From widespread unemployment, rising aspirations, a plunging economy and many other factors, this book uncovers the reality behind fraud and deception.

Commenting on the upcoming book, Snigdha Poonam says, ‘Having reported on scams of various kinds for some years now, I find that few stories capture the realities of today’s India better than those revolving around fraud. A book following the trail of scams across India seemed like a natural next step. I am grateful to Penguin Random House India for the opportunity and excited to work with them once again.’

Half Ocean’s Eleven, half Slumdog Millionaire, this book reveals how scamsters work – their inventiveness, determination and willingness to adapt. It shows how various scams evolve or spread in India, explore the cross-border connections that make fraud a global phenomenon and demonstrate how fraud and globalisation are ultimately connected.

Meru Gokhale, Publisher, Penguin Press, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Snigdha Poonam has done it again. By delving into the aspirations of ordinary individuals, existing socioeconomic forces and institutional setbacks, her new book offers insight into the very genesis of India’s widespread scam culture. She intricately weaves instances of fraud with social commentary and analysis, and her new book is as much a portrait of the contemporary class-divide in India as it is a stunning work of investigative journalism. We can’t wait to share it with the world.’

About the author

Snigdha Poonam is a journalist based in New Delhi. Her work has appeared in the Guardian, the New York Times, the Caravan, Granta and other publications. Her first book, Dreamers, won 2018’s Crossword Book Award for nonfiction and was longlisted in 2019 for PEN America Literary Awards.

Bestselling author Kavita Kane to pen the untold story of goddess Saraswati

New Delhi, 16 February 2021: As dreary winter gives way to a bright spring and we welcome Basant Panchami with an ode to Goddess Sarswati, Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition and publication of a brilliant new novel, titled Sarasvati’s Gift, by bestselling writer and former journalist Kavita Kane. This book will be released under Penguin’s Ebury Press imprint by mid-2021.

 

Sarasvati’s Gift is the story of Saraswati, the Goddess of art, music and knowledge, told in the voices of nameless celestials, powerful gods and lesser mortals. As these peripheral figures and silent catalysts take centre stage, we get a glimpse of  a remarkable woman and her remarkable story, obscured and buried beneath myths and legends.

Commenting on the upcoming book, author Kavita Kane says, ‘What better day than today, Basant Panchami, to announce my next book, a book on Saraswati, a book dedicated to her! Saraswati as a woman is completely fascinating—sharp, tough and uncompromising. As a goddess, there is none like her: stubborn, cerebral, eloquent, the original rebel who fights her battles without weapons but with her wit and quick tongue. The story idea originated from my own ignorance: for a very long time, I did not know she was the consort of Brahma. You see her serene and stately, in sheer ivory with her book and veena, rarely with her husband by her side like Shiva–Parvati or Lakshmi– Narayan. She is like a whimsical loner, who prefers her own company and values her own opinions over those of others; this picture of her kept strongly building in my mind till I knew I had to write on her!’

Kavita Kane is the bestselling author of six novels, and today, she  is considered a revolutionary force in Indian writing, mainly because she introduced a feminist perspective where it was most needed: in Indian mythology. All her six novels are  based on lesser-known women in Indian mythology: Karna’s Wife (2013),  Sita’s Sister (2014), Menaka’s Choice (2015),  Lanka’s Princess (2016), The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty (2017) and Ahalya’s Awakening (2019).

Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘I have known Kavita Kane for several years and have admired her sensitive and engaging portrayal of female characters from mythology. Saraswati’s Gift will be Kavita’s next book, and I am pleased that she has chosen to write about the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. I am delighted to publish it and to welcome Kavita to the Penguin Random House India family.’

Penguin to publish award-winning author Irwin Allan Sealy’s new novel

New Delhi, 15 February 2021: Penguin Random House India proudly announces the acquisition and publication of a stunning new novel, titled ASOCA: A Sutra, by prizewinning writer Irwin Allan Sealy. Earlier, Penguin had published the thirtieth anniversary edition of Sealy’s critically acclaimed debut novel The Trotter-Nama and this is the second book by the author to be published by PRH. This book will be released under Penguin’s Viking imprint in July 2021.

The novel will be presented as an imagined memoir of Ashoka The Great, the emperor who ruled most of the the Indian Subcontinent and played a pivotal role in the spread of Buddhism from India to other parts of Asia in the 3rd century BC.

Asoca, tells the story of the emperor who went from masterminding one of the biggest and deadliest wars to becoming one of the most profound advocates of non-violence. The beauty of Sealy’s prose will transport readers to a time and place that is remarkable.

‘With Asoca, I’m delighted to be back with old friends at Penguin!’, says the author, Irwin Allan Sealy.

Manasi Subramaniam, Executive Editor and Head of Literary Rights, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘It’s an incendiary, powerful work that appears to combine the very best of Allan’s preceding books. Slipping easily from mock gravitas to straightforward humour, his infinite variety is on full display here. It’s a rich, dark-but-whimsical parable about nationhood and violence and religion and personal dilemmas. I found it irreverent, funny and poignant, rich with skepticism and heart. I absolutely loved it!’.

‘Working with Allan on this brilliant novel has been my great privilege and joy. I can’t wait for his fans to read ASOCA, and delighted that Manasi Subramaniam and her team at Viking, PRH will be publishing the book in 2021’ says Priya Doraswamy, Lotus Lane Literary.

About the Author

Irwin Allan Sealy was born and raised in India. He has lived and worked in Canada, the USA, New Zealand and Australia. His first novel The Trotter-Nama was published in 1988 by Knopf and tells the story of seven generations of an Anglo-Indian family.  The book garnered great praise and acclaim.  Allan has won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Best First Book, Europe and South Asia, in 1989, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991, the Crossword Book Award in 1998,

and the Padma Shri, a high honor bestowed by the President of India in 2012.  He now lives in Dehradun, India.

A no-holds-barred memoir by Vir Sanghvi

Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of a rollicking tell-all from the journalist who’s seen it all – Vir Sanghvi. This deeply personal, candid account of his life will be published in the spring of 2021 under the Viking imprint of Penguin Random House India.

From Bollywood intrigues and behind-the-scenes political tensions to encounters with some of the most iconic personalities in recent Indian history, this memoir offers an unforgettable take on one of the most eventful careers in Indian journalism. Vir Sanghvi’s interests as a journalist have ranged from politics to food, wine to music. Studded with unforgettable memories and extraordinary experiences, this book is a delicious read.

Commenting on his upcoming book, Vir Sanghvi says, ‘It’s a book that’s more about the times that I lived in than it is about me. It’s about the people I met, the things I saw and the stories I can only tell now.’

Meru Gokhale, Publisher- Penguin Press at Penguin Random House India, says, ‘Vir Sanghvi is a fascinating person with the memory of an elephant. He misses nothing. Now it’s time for him to tell his own story, of the people he met, the places he went to, and what he saw. It’s a memoir that could easily be mistaken for a high-octane thriller.’

About the Author:

Vir Sanghvi is a veteran journalist who was the editor of Hindustan Times from 1999 to 2004, he before being promoted to editorial director, a post he held till 2007, after which he continued at the paper as a columnist. His television career has included several award-winning shows on the Star TV network, NDTV, Discovery and other channels. His weekly political show Virtuosity on CNN-News18 is one of the channel’s top-rated programmes. He has a parallel career as India’s leading food and travel writer.

Penguin to publish award-winning author Meghna Pant’s new book

New Delhi, 5 February 2021: Penguin Random House India is proud to announce the acquisition of a new novel by award-winning writer, journalist and speaker Meghna Pant. Titled The Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Good News, the book is about a small-town woman, Ladoo, who scandalizes her conservative family when she decides to use a sperm donor to have a baby, while continuing to look for Mr Right. The book will be released in April 2021, and soon be seen as a major motion picture under the title Badnam Ladoo.

 

Commenting on her upcoming book, Meghna Pant says, ‘I’ve seen the pressure young women face by family, friends and acquaintances to have children early. I know the hell I went through on my thirty-fifth birthday as I was childless and unmarried. That’s why I wrote about the panic Ladoo felt when a gynaecologist told her that her “eggs were drying up”, and doing artificial insemination immediately was her last chance of having a baby! Ladoo’s story about finding the right sperm donor, whose kundali matches hers, while fighting social stigma, her mother’s opposition, her ticking biological clock, and her own mixed feelings about whether Mr Right Donor can also be Mr Right, is something every woman––young or old––can identify with. At the same time, Ladoo’s story seeks to upend this cautionary tale that women are spoon-fed from the time they’re little girls­­––to have kids early––and instead amplifies the message––my body, my rules!’

 

This book takes a humorous and light approach to address an important issue, relevant to every woman in the world, without being belligerent or pedantic. India’s top actors and comedians like Manvi Gagroo, Kaneez Surka, Atul Khatri, Abish Matthew and Anu Menon have endorsed the book.

 

Milee Ashwarya, publisher, Ebury and Vintage Publishing, says: ‘Meghna Pant is a talented and versatile writer. The Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Good News is her second novel, and I’m sure it will be a treat for all her readers. I found myself breezing through the book in one session; the characters are relatable and the writing witty and engaging.’

Gurveen Chadha, senior commissioning editor, says: ‘The book resonated with me so much, and I hope it will with many other women who constantly face the pressures of looking good, finding the right guy, getting married, having babies—all at “the right age”. It’s a book you should read to feel inspired, to make your own choices and to embrace the life you want to lead without any kind of guilt or shame.’

Penguin to publish bestselling author Stuti Changle’s new book

New Delhi, 4 February 2020: Penguin Random House India announces the acquisition of bestselling author Stuti Changle’s book, titled You Only Live Once. It will be released on 1 February 2021.

You Only Live Once is a marvellous blend of fiction and self-help, and follows three characters, YouTube star Alara, beach shack owner Ricky, and Aarav, who works in a corporate firm but pursues his passion of being a stand-up comedian on the side. Readers are set for a journey of self-discovery through the questions and challenges each of these characters face. From the truth about love to learning to love oneself, this book, set on the picturesque beaches of Goa, explores the big questions and travels through time, presenting a story of transformation.

Author Stuti Changle says, ‘My book is about searching for love and discovering yourself. It draws inspiration from my real-life experiences. It’s now being published by Penguin. After making it one of the most successful self-published titles in 2020, I am very excited about working with my dream publisher to make it reach more readers who can be inspired to live life on their terms.’

This is Stuti Changle’s second book. She won notable mentions in Amazon Kindle’s Pen to Publish 2017 competition. Stuti is a postgraduate in management from IMI, Delhi. She quit her corporate career to inspire people by sharing life-changing stories. She made her TV debut in 2019 as a host of the TV Series Kar Ke Dikhaenge. She is currently based in New Delhi, where she lives with her husband, Kushal Nahata, co-founder and CEO of FarEye.

Roshini Dadlani, editor of the book, says, ‘I’m excited to publish Stuti and take her book to more readers. She has a wonderful way with words, and I’m sure You Only Live Once will not only delight readers but also help them introspect and learn more about themselves.’

Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says, ‘At Penguin Random House India we are constantly looking for fresh, unique and talented new voices. Stuti is one of them, and I am delighted to publish her new novel You Only Live Once.’

 

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