The Illuminated
Anindita Ghose
HarperCollins
pp 312, Rs 599
The novel’s thematic focus is on questions of identity. It revolves around two women, Shashi and Tara, who attempt to look at themselves, and at each other, in a new light.
Power Women
Pushpa Kurup
Bloomsbury
pp 242, Rs 379
From bhikkunis and sanyasinis to wild and wayward women, from daughters, wives, mothers and grandmothers to queens, warriors and scholars, the stories of these splendid women throw up many surprises and make for a fascinating read.
Bringing Back Grandpa
Madhuri Kamat
Duckbill
pp 112, Rs 250
As his Grandpa gets ill and more confused, Xerxes’ life becomes correspondingly difficult. There are boys at school playing all kinds of mean tricks on him and his mother wants him to excel, as usual, but it is hard when his main ally Grandpa is not himself.
The Great Hindu Civilisation
Pavan K Varma
Westland
pp 416, Rs 799
The book argues that unlike many other great civilisations of the past, the Hindu civilisation has not become a historical relic, but has survived.
The Next Everest
Jim Davidson
Macmillan
pp NA, Rs 699
Suspenseful and engrossing, this true-life account portrays the experience of living through the biggest disaster to ever hit the mountain.