Description
Book SynopsisThis book is a collection of essays by international writer Bapsi Sidhwa gathered for the first time in one edition by Teresa Russo, with a foreword written by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Landscapes of Writing: Collected Essays of Bapsi Sidhwa provides a writer's perspective on issues of South Asian literature, linguistics, poetry, and views of political events and globalization. In the first part of the book, Bapsi Sidhwa discusses her childhood, family life, and how she became a writer. There is also a revised essay detailing how her book Cracking India became a film by Deepa Mehta. The second part of the book focuses on her thoughts concerning war, terrorism, and how to achieve peace. This collection includes two letters, demonstrating her local and nationalistic perspectives to a larger view of an interconnected world.
Trade Review“
Landscapes of Writing is a fascinating collection of essays that offers a plethora of information on Bapsi Sidhwa’s life, fiction, and her viewpoint on various issues—literary, social, and political. It is not an exaggeration to say that the present book is a rich treatise on current issues—on minorities, patriarchy, and the condition of women in South Asia. This book is a welcome addition to the corpus of fast-growing scholarship on Bapsi Sidhwa and South Asian studies in general. It will be immensely useful to students, teachers, and scholars.” —R.K. Dhawan, University of Delhi
“Bapsi Sidhwa is a national treasure!” —Fatima Bhutto, author of
The RunawaysTable of ContentsForeword by Deepa Mehta – Author’s Preface – Editor’s Preface – Acknowledgements – Introduction: Bapsi Sidhwa’s Contributions to South Asian Literature – Part I. Life, Memories, and Writings – Why and How I Write – Linguistics: New English Creative Writing (A Pakistani Writer’s Perspective) – Lahore: Landscapes of My Writing – Reading and Writing: A Private Addiction – Truth and Fiction – The Television Boycott – Watching My Novel Become Deepa Mehta’s Film – Two-Way Culture Shock – A Puff of Air – Manna of the Angels: Parsi Cuisine – Journey to the Black Mountains – Part II. Political Thoughts: Essays on World Events – Letter to My Grandson – A Letter to The Hindustan Times: In Defense of Deepa Mehta’s Water – A Selective Memory for History – 2008 in Retrospect: The Most Momentous Year! – Crusades for the Modern Era – The Minorities and the Muse – Who Are the Taliban? – Threat of War Between India and Pakistan, Still a Reality – Bury the Hatchet for Peace Sake! – Appendix A – Appendix B – Index.
