I am going through this phase when I just can't read contemporary fiction. But I hope to snap out of it by the time Preeta Samarasan's debut novel Evening is the Whole Day is released in March. [correction: May!]
A description at Amazon says that the novel "illuminates in heartbreaking detail one Indian immigrant family's layers of secrets and lies, while exposing the complex underbelly of Malaysia itself."
I have no idea who she is, to be honest, but she writes some terrific blog comments over at Sharon Bakar's joint – her elucidation of atheism makes a great deal of sense, not to mention her defence of the word apartheid (but not ethnic cleansing) for Malaysian race-based politics.
Complex underbellies are A-OK with me. Go Preeta!
7 comments:
Love the book cover, and Preeta's point of view :)
Hi! I'm flattered by and grateful for this publicity, and honestly, even more flattered that you noticed my comments on Sharon's blog. It feels like a bit of a lone battle, so it's heartening to encounter pockets of approbation elsewhere.
Oh, and by the way: the book comes out in May, so you have more time than you thought to snap out of your contemporary-fiction moratorium :-) (I've gone through such phases myself, and in my experience they do pass).
Thanks again for the kudos,
Preeta
Preeta! Do you live in Paris? I will be there in early March as several of my documentaries are screening there. Do come!
Amir -- when exactly are the screenings? I don't live in Paris but could easily take the train up for a good reason, if you let me know in advance (I'll have to arrange to stay with friends etc.). I've been an admirer of your work for a while, so it would be nice to be able to show some support in person for once!
-- Preeta
I don't have the screening schedule yet but will announce it here closer to the time :-)
I will actually be in Clermont-Ferrand from 1-9 February too, not sure if that is closer to you or not. There will be quite a few other South-East Asian filmmakers there during that time, for a focus.
first time i've seen the cover too and it's beautiful!
Oh, glad you like the cover, Sharon! I think the UK edition will have a different one, though, and I haven't seen it yet.
Amir, actually Clermont-Ferrand *is* a fair bit closer to us, but I'm not sure if I'll be out of the country on the dates you mentioned. I shall let you know as soon as I can -- one way or another, I hope to attend one of your events, either in Clermont-Ferrand or in Paris. Should be exciting!
-- Preeta
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