Last month, we have introduced you to the long list of the books which were to be considered for the JCB Award for Literature. JCB Award for Literature will recognise the inaugural winner this month, on 24 October 2018. The committee has released a shortlist with 5 books on the list. The shortlist displays the space of variety, multicultural play and a taste for literature by the jury members. We will walk you through the shortlist so that you can have a go on these books if you want to read something this weekend. Here you go:
1. Half the Night is Gone by Amitabha Bagchi
This is the first novel which has been shortlisted for the JCB Award for Literature by the award committee. Written by Amitabha Bagchi, the Above Average fame from the year 2007, this is his fourth novel in 11 years and all others have received a good response from his readers. The central issue in this novel is a dramatic exploration of two families of contrasting nature – divided by class but united by human tendencies. You can read this dramatic novel by getting a copy from Amazon:
2. Jasmine Days by Benyamin (translated into English by Shahnaz Habib)
The second book on JCB literary award shortlist is a book which has been published originally in Malayali. Translated into English, the book has been written by a famous author – Benyamin with more than 20 titles to the credit. The novel deals with the issue of immigrants in an unnamed city. It has rich elements of pathos, emotions and human experiences which have also been hailed by the jury members for the literary award. You can read the translated version yourself and then judge how better the novel actually is.
3. Poonachi by Perumal Murugan (translated into English by N Kalyan Raman)
This novel is written originally in Tamil by famous Tamil novelist Perumal Murugan. Unlike most of his novels, this one tends to be a casual read at first but the readers won’t take much time to understand that it actually takes a dig on the contemporary politics of our country. This can be a very good read for the readers who wish to read different things than the usual fiction which we get to read more often these days.
4. All The Lives We Never Lived by Anuradha Roy
This novel explores the issue of identity and individuality by a wife who wants to explore what she is other than being a wife. Gender issues and most common issues related to feminism have been dealt with in this novel by Anuradha Roy, the author. Anuradha Roy is well-known among the critical readers’ circle and she has won accolades and awards in the past as well. Her novel is considered as a serious contender for the inaugural JCB literary award! You can read All The Lives We Never Lived by ordering a copy from Amazon.
5. Latitudes of Longing by Shubhangi Swarup
This is the novel that concludes our shortlist for the first edition of this literary award by JCB. Mentioned as ‘breath of fresh air’ by the award committee, this novel is the debut one by Shubhangi. A mix of realistic writing with a hint of the supernatural, Latitudes of Longing will be a good casual read for the readers always wanting to read the impact-makers in the debut. You can get this novel from Amazon.
So, we will have to wait a few days more before the JCB Award for Literature meets its first winner on 24 October. We will update you with that as well. Meanwhile, do enjoy any of these novels that you like!
Article by Raman for Literature News, Awards Desk