Leila by Prayaag Akbar
Picture this: A city with such poor air quality that breathing is a struggle. A city with a relentless summer, with heat that makes you giddy if you step out of your house or car even for a few minutes. A city with gated communities where entry is prohibited unless someone from the other side […]
Scribbles: Literary News by Purple Pencil Project Pt. 1
We at Purple Pencil Project keep you updated about the latest happenings in the literary world, both national and international and aim to bring out literary news of the week in this compilation called Scribbles. India Indian writer Annie Zaidi wins Nine Dots Prize Mumbai based Indian writer, Annie Zaidi is this year’s recipient of […]
The Last Hun by Ashwin Razdan
The legend of Attila the Hun is a widespread one, the tales of his valour and fierce nature having served as fodder for many a pop reference. But Ashwin Razdan, author of The Last Hun scans the annals of history to create a terrifying blend of fiction and truth and gives us the story of […]
Secret Notes from Iran: Diary of an Undercover Journalist by Nadim Siraj
International affairs is very much run like the mafia. The Godfather does not accept disobedience, even from a small storekeeper who doesn’t pay his protection money. You have to have obedience; otherwise, the idea can spread that you don’t have to listen to the orders, and it can spread to important places. Noam Chomsky’s words […]
Bhaunri by Anukrti Upadhyay
Last week, we talked about Daura. Author Anukrti Upadhyay’s debut work of fiction, published by 4th Estate Books (an imprint of Harper Collins), comes with a companion novel, Bhaunri, set in the villages of Rajasthan, the story of a fierce young woman who loves her man and will go to any extent to make him […]
Daura by Anukrti Upadhyay: A folktale comes alive
The cover itself draws you in. A maroon background, a sand-yellow illustration of a tree (a kalpavriksh, perhaps), and the beautiful typeface, designed by The Typecraft Initiative add to the mystic element that the blurb promises the reader. Daura, author Anukrti Upadhyay’s debut work of English (released together with Bhaunri, about which, in another post), is […]
The Queen’s Last Salute by Moupia Basu
I began reading this novel sceptically, I admit. It seemed to be just another retelling of Jhansi Ki Rani, the warrior queen who splintered the barrier of gender to fight for her kingdom. But I was pleasantly surprised when Moupia Basu‘s Chandraki swept in like a storm cloud and stole the show. The title of […]
The Outcasts: A Thousand Dreams of Redemption by Lidija Stankovikj
To put it simply, The Outcasts by Lidija Stankovikj is one of the most intricate books in recent times. Stankovikj’s writing is almost dreamlike, the narrative fluid yet fluctuating and infused with vivid imagery. Her contemporary, abstract take on India, the land of dichotomies is as refreshing as it is eye-opening. A story of loss, acceptance, […]
In Conversation With Balaji Venkataramanan
Riding on his fame from Flat Truck Bullies (FTB), Balaji Venkataramanan’s Pops! is a refreshing read for children and adults alike. We at Purple Pencil Project loved the story of Pops! (published by Duckbill), told with refreshing authenticity and just the right amount of innocence. So of course, we decided to sit down with him (virtually) […]
Online Courses for Bibliophiles and Wordsmiths
Always wanted to write? Study the classics? Understand culture? But don’t want to return to college? We feel you. The subjects in the humanities hold our endless fascination and it sucks that liberal studies, and curated curricula are still a faraway dream in India. Which is why these online courses in literature and writing are the […]
