3 new book releases by British Asian authors
21st May, 2003
Something Black in the Lentil Soup, by Reshma Ruia
Something Black in the Lentil Soup (a literal translation of the Indian saying, ' all is not what it seems'), is the first novel from new female author Reshma S Ruia. It hilariously depicts the changing fortunes of a virginal middle-aged Indian male, in search of literary fame and romantic glory. Racy and thoroughly enjoyable with its tongue-in-cheek humour - Reshma S Ruia really gets inside how a man's mind works.
The book offers penetrating insights into the social mores and conventions of both East and West. Reshma is somewhat of a cultural hybrid, she was born in India, brought up in Italy and educated at the London School of Economics. She came to writing indirectly after a career as an economist with the United Nations. She lives in Manchester with her family.
1. What drove you to write a book?
I have always been drawn to the creative process of writing whether poetry or prose. Even though I trained and worked as an Economist with the UN, literature has always been my passion. When I moved to Manchester from Paris, I was impatient to do something intellectually challenging since being at home with small babies was not the be-all and end-all of my existence. I started an MA in Creative writing at Manchester University, and my book started its life there.
I also felt that while there was an abundance of Indo-Anglian literature dealing with the sombre issues of cultural interaction, very little had been written in an ironic and light hearted way of the confusions and misunderstandings such an interaction could produce. I deliberately set the book in the Seventies,before the techno invasion of CNN and Internet, when there was still a certain curiosity and naiveté regarding the two cultures, British and Indian.
2. Why that title?
The title is a literal translation of an Indian saying, 'all is not what it seems.' Without giving away the story too much, this is precisely the predicament in which the central character, Kavi Naidu finds himself. His perceptions concerning India and Britain are constantly being challenged by rapidly unfolding events. The same holds true for his relationships, naive and monochromatic, he is unable to comprehend the multi-layered complexities involved.
3.Any more projects in the pipeline?
Am working on two projects at the moment, both very different from the present novel. The first is an exploration of a textile family, spanning three generations, who move from India to Britain. The tone will be much more sombre and searching. The second book is a children's story, involving a mad Italian Doctor who travels the world solving problems. Am very excited by both and eager to get my teeth into them!
The book will be launched at the Nehru Centre, London, on the 9th of June. For further information or to interview Reshma S Ruia contact BlackAmber Books on 0207 278 2488.
Born Confused, by Tanuja Hidier
Tanuja Desai Hidier is American-born and based in the UK. Previously, she lived in New York City, where she worked as a writer/editor for magazines and web projects.
Her first novel, Born Confused is a Larry King pick of the week, an American Library Association BBYA book of the year, and has been critically acclaimed by many others in United States.
Set largely in the context of New York City's explosive bhangra/Asian Underground club scene, the novel is a multicultural coming-of-age story that follows Indian-American heroine Dimple Lala through a summer that turns her world on its head. The heart of Born Confused is about learning how to bring two cultures together without falling apart yourself in the process.
The book takes its title from ABCD, or American Born Confused Desi, a slightly derogatory term that first generation South Asians use to describe these second generation Americans who are supposedly “confused” about their South Asian background.
The book will be launched at the Nehru Centre, London, on the 4th of June. For more information see Tanuja's website, or an interview with Tanuja.
Brit-Spice, by Manju Malhi.
In Brit Spice Manju Malhi introduces a refreshingly new style of cooking, fusing Indian cuisine with a British twist to create fast, unfussy, fantastic food.
The result is Manju's Brit-Indi cuisine, combining British ingredients with Indian spices. The key to the recipes is that they are incredibly quick and easy to make. Manju gives timings at the start of each dish to show that an Indian meal can be made at home in literally fifteen minutes.
Manju Malhi's recipes are simple, fun, combining authentic Indian spices with well-loved British favourites. The results are delightful dishes such as Chicken Korma with Beer and Indian Style Bubble 'n' Squeak. Find out how to rustle up Manju's favourite Indian meals using ingredients such as bread, bacon and baked beans.
In 1999 voice-over artist Manju Malhi beat hundreds of other contestants to secure a guest slot on BBC2's Food and Drink. Since then she has presented her own television show for Taste called Simply Indian. Manju Malhi lives in London and Brit Spice is her first book.
Manju Malhi is available for interviews and to write features. For further information please contact Jane Opoku on 020 7010 3599 or email on jane.opoku@penguin.co.uk
Something Black in the Lentil Soup (a literal translation of the Indian saying, ' all is not what it seems'), is the first novel from new female author Reshma S Ruia. It hilariously depicts the changing fortunes of a virginal middle-aged Indian male, in search of literary fame and romantic glory. Racy and thoroughly enjoyable with its tongue-in-cheek humour - Reshma S Ruia really gets inside how a man's mind works. The book offers penetrating insights into the social mores and conventions of both East and West. Reshma is somewhat of a cultural hybrid, she was born in India, brought up in Italy and educated at the London School of Economics. She came to writing indirectly after a career as an economist with the United Nations. She lives in Manchester with her family.
1. What drove you to write a book?
I have always been drawn to the creative process of writing whether poetry or prose. Even though I trained and worked as an Economist with the UN, literature has always been my passion. When I moved to Manchester from Paris, I was impatient to do something intellectually challenging since being at home with small babies was not the be-all and end-all of my existence. I started an MA in Creative writing at Manchester University, and my book started its life there.
I also felt that while there was an abundance of Indo-Anglian literature dealing with the sombre issues of cultural interaction, very little had been written in an ironic and light hearted way of the confusions and misunderstandings such an interaction could produce. I deliberately set the book in the Seventies,before the techno invasion of CNN and Internet, when there was still a certain curiosity and naiveté regarding the two cultures, British and Indian.
2. Why that title?
The title is a literal translation of an Indian saying, 'all is not what it seems.' Without giving away the story too much, this is precisely the predicament in which the central character, Kavi Naidu finds himself. His perceptions concerning India and Britain are constantly being challenged by rapidly unfolding events. The same holds true for his relationships, naive and monochromatic, he is unable to comprehend the multi-layered complexities involved.
3.Any more projects in the pipeline?
Am working on two projects at the moment, both very different from the present novel. The first is an exploration of a textile family, spanning three generations, who move from India to Britain. The tone will be much more sombre and searching. The second book is a children's story, involving a mad Italian Doctor who travels the world solving problems. Am very excited by both and eager to get my teeth into them!
The book will be launched at the Nehru Centre, London, on the 9th of June. For further information or to interview Reshma S Ruia contact BlackAmber Books on 0207 278 2488.
Born Confused, by Tanuja Hidier
Tanuja Desai Hidier is American-born and based in the UK. Previously, she lived in New York City, where she worked as a writer/editor for magazines and web projects.
Her first novel, Born Confused is a Larry King pick of the week, an American Library Association BBYA book of the year, and has been critically acclaimed by many others in United States.
Set largely in the context of New York City's explosive bhangra/Asian Underground club scene, the novel is a multicultural coming-of-age story that follows Indian-American heroine Dimple Lala through a summer that turns her world on its head. The heart of Born Confused is about learning how to bring two cultures together without falling apart yourself in the process.
The book takes its title from ABCD, or American Born Confused Desi, a slightly derogatory term that first generation South Asians use to describe these second generation Americans who are supposedly “confused” about their South Asian background.
The book will be launched at the Nehru Centre, London, on the 4th of June. For more information see Tanuja's website, or an interview with Tanuja.
Brit-Spice, by Manju Malhi.
In Brit Spice Manju Malhi introduces a refreshingly new style of cooking, fusing Indian cuisine with a British twist to create fast, unfussy, fantastic food.
The result is Manju's Brit-Indi cuisine, combining British ingredients with Indian spices. The key to the recipes is that they are incredibly quick and easy to make. Manju gives timings at the start of each dish to show that an Indian meal can be made at home in literally fifteen minutes.
Manju Malhi's recipes are simple, fun, combining authentic Indian spices with well-loved British favourites. The results are delightful dishes such as Chicken Korma with Beer and Indian Style Bubble 'n' Squeak. Find out how to rustle up Manju's favourite Indian meals using ingredients such as bread, bacon and baked beans.
In 1999 voice-over artist Manju Malhi beat hundreds of other contestants to secure a guest slot on BBC2's Food and Drink. Since then she has presented her own television show for Taste called Simply Indian. Manju Malhi lives in London and Brit Spice is her first book.
Manju Malhi is available for interviews and to write features. For further information please contact Jane Opoku on 020 7010 3599 or email on jane.opoku@penguin.co.uk
