Mulk Raj Anand, novelist, short story writer, essayist and art critic, along with Raja Rao and R.K. Narayan, is frequently referred to as ‘founding father’ of Indo-English writing. He began his career by writing for T.S. Eliot’s Criterion and went on to win international fame with his heart-warming portraits of the Indian landscape and its people. Anand’s prolific writing career spanned more than 75 years, during which he was widely identified with the quest for a just, equitable, and forward-looking India. He wrote extensively in areas as diverse as art and sculpture, politics, Indian literature and the history of ideas. He was honoured with Sahitya Akademi Award, the most prestigious Indian award for literary writing in 1972. This volume of short stories is remarkable for the variety of its inspiration. ‘Anand is an excellent raconteur, telling a story with grace and point. He commands an easy urbane style… The stories have the power to charm.’ — Weekend Review ‘Anand’s picture is real, comprehensive, and subtle, and the shifts in moods, from farce to comedy, from pathos to tragedy, and from the realistic to the poetic, are remarkable.’ — V S Pritchett, British Literary Critic 'With great deftness, Anand pictures India... He impresses with his profound knowledge of Indian religion and culture.' — Books Abroad, USA

'The volume is remarkable for the variety of its inspiration...' — Manchester Guardian, UK 'Anand's picture is real, comprehensive, and subtle, and the shifts in moods, from farce to comedy, from pathos to tragedy, and from the realistic to the poetic, are remarkable.' — V S Pritchett, British Literary Critic 'Anand is indeed adept in the art of spinning a yarn.' — Punjab Journal of English Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University

In Lajwanti, Mulk Raj Anand focuses on a woman's predicament and struggle to find an identity for herself. Frustrated by a rigid pattern of social relationships, gender bias, religious bigotry and her own petty human foibles, her abject condition serves as a metaphor for sacrifice and servility which forms the thematic heart of these stories.

About the author: mulk raj anand, an indian english language author who depicted the lives of the poorer castes in a traditional indian society anand, a novelist, short story writer, essayist and an art critic, is frequently referred to as the founding father of indo-english writing anands prolific writing career spanned over 75 years, during which he was widely identified with the quest for a just, equitable and forward looking india anand wrote extensively in areas as diverse as art and sculpture, politics, indian literature and the history of ideas he has been conferred with several awards including the sahitya akademi award in 1972 and the padma bhushan for his contribution to english literature

Seventeen-year-old Gwen is preparing to audition for New York City’s top music schools when her grandfather mysteriously disappears, leaving Gwen only a phone message telling her not to worry. But there’s nothing more stressful than practicing for her auditions, not knowing where her grandfather is, and being forced to lie about his whereabouts when her insistent great-uncle demands an audience with him. Then Gwen meets Robert, also in town for music auditions, and the two pair up to brave the city without supervision. As auditions approach and her great-uncle becomes more aggressive, Gwen and Robert make a startling discovery. Suddenly Gwen’s hopes are turned upside down, and she and Robert are united in ways neither of them could have foretold. . . .

A compulsively readable story of struggle for survival in a large modern city and how it demeans human life. Ravi, son of a peasant, joins in the general exodus to the city, and, floating through the indifferent streets, lands into the underworld of petty criminals. He falls in love with pretty Nalini, and marries her against all odds. She tries to change his way of life, but fate conspires against him...and the story moves to a memorable climax.

With the publication of Salman Rushdie's Booker Prize winning novel, ^IMidnight's Children^R in 1981, followed by the unprecedented popularity of his subsequent works, the cinematic adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's ^IThe English Patient,^R many other best-sellers written by South Asian novelists writing in English have gained a tremendous following. This reference is a guide to their lives and writings. The volume focuses on novelists born in South Asia who have written and continue to write about issues concerning that region. Some of the novelists have published widely, while others are only beginning their literary careers. The volume includes alphabetically arranged entries on more than 50 South Asian novelists. Each entry is written by an expert contributor and includes a biography, a discussion of major works and themes, a summary of the novelist's critical reception, and primary and secondary bibliographies. Since many of the contributors are personally acquainted with the novelists, they are able to offer significant insights. The volume closes with a selected bibliography of studies of the South Asian novel in English, along with a list of anthologies and periodicals.

Winner of the Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi Awards. The story of Yayati is perhaps one of the most intriguing and fascinating episodes of Mahabharata. Yayati was a great scholar and one of the noblest rulers of olden times. He followed the shastras and was devoted to the welfare of his subjects. Even the King of Gods, Indra, held him in high esteem. Married to seductively beautiful Devyani, in love with her maid Sharmishtha, and father of five sons from two women, yet Yayati unabashedly declares, 'My lust for pleasure is unsatisfied...'. His quest for the carnal continued, sparing not even his youngest son, and exchanging his old age for his son's youth...

An interesting collection of stories....

Helen Houston has navigated the Texas turf as well as the terrain of family fracture and lost spirituality but it is the message behind the occasional chance for healing that is poignantly conveyed throughout her first collection of short stories. A mother travels to New York and finally sees the foolishness of imposing expectations on her grown daughter; a discouraged child in an unhappy home is bucked up by a friend; an aunt shares her wisdom that life is a progression to spiritual truths with a nephew who is hungry for her advice; and a young woman finds renewal of spirit while fulfilling a promise to spread her best friend's ashes. In contrast, Houston shares the stories of others live in befuddlement like the man who continuously drives the 610 Loop around the city of Houston with the help of a beer and the right music while viewing the skyline from just about every perspective. The eclectic characters in Placed Among Things That Are Passing Away not only offer their compelling life experiences, but also inspirational lessons in fortitude, perseverance, and unconditional love.