Anu Kumar

Anu's story 'The First Hello' won a special prize in the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition. You can read it here (PDF).

Anu has her own website.

Bibliography

It Takes a Murder
Hachette, India (2012)

When Gautam Dogra is found murdered in his study one afternoon in the small hill station of Brooks Town, the police dismiss it as a relatively simple case. But Charlotte Hyde knows well that a murder never happens in a day -- it follows its own timeline. As Kerketta, Charlotte's old retainer, always said, a murder is written into your life at the very beginning. As Charlotte begins telling the story of Dogra's death, it soon becomes clear that his story can only be fully understood in the light of many other stories. Of her estranged daughter, Maddy, of the political climes in which they lived. Of lost hopes and lost loves, of small humiliations and disillusionments and, above all, of the slow incitement to violence that the terror of loss brings into quiet lives.

Sawnet Review by Rumjhum Biswas

Review in the Hindu

Interview by Rumjhum Biswas

Review by Moazzam Sheikh

Review in The Book Outline

Review in IBNlive

Review in Mid-Day

The Dollmaker's Island
Gyaana Books, India (2010)

Do the elusive dollmakers, on a strange island forever adrift, really exist? What makes the new government and countless others suspicious of them? Are they simply waiting to return and claim their home once again?

Ronen Ghito would give his left hand to find out. But he needs Leela's help. And Leela is too preoccupied, sitting under the watchful eyes of a cagey government, waiting for her Shyam to turn up on this very mysterious isle that exists on no map. When Leela does decide to co-operate with the government, she does it through long missives and emails, now that her voice is mysteriously lost too, revealing in bits and pieces lost myths and disquieting tales about the dollmakers from the time of the Mughal emperors to the present.

Alice-like in its feel and treatment, The Dollmakers' Island is an interesting perspective on the socio-political scenario in India through the ages. The narrative flows across and over time and space, breaking all barriers. The book is tongue-in-cheek, persistent, and fun to read.

Sawnet Review by Maithreyi Krishnaraj

Interview with Anu Kumar at helter-skelter

Review in Femina

Review in The Asian Age

Letters for Paul
Mapin Publications, Bangalore. (2006)

The violence that explodes in Aditi's life one sultry afternoon in a town where nothing ever happens, has unexpected and spiralling consequences. Letters for Paul is the story of Aditi's attempts to understand events in her life that seemingly have no answers. Her search for an answer to this is complicated with the other mysteries she is confronted with. Events that occurred long back in the past, others that have no answers and some that people refuse to answer. Aditi's efforts to understand her changing world, to make sense of the violence hidden in everyday monotony, leave Aditi sometimes convinced of her own powerlessness. She persists with her search, however, conjuring up her own events or writing letters that remain unanswered-all to establish her own presence. Matters end in disgrace but Aditi does find success...of a kind.

Sawnet Review by Swagata Deb

Short review in the Telegraph.

In search of a Raja and other stories
Writer's Workshop, Kolkata. (2002)

A collection of short stories.

Children's Books

Atisa and the Seven Wonders
Puffin Books, Penguin India, 2008 (): A strange man crash-landing his even stranger flying machine into Atisa’s home opens a world full of wonders for the fourteen-year-old boy…Full of thrills, chills and spills, Atisa and the Seven Wonders weaves fact and fiction to take you on an action-packed, imaginative and informative exploration of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
The Mahatma and the Monkeys
Hatchette, India, 2009 (): This book, for today’s kids with an introduction by Anupam Kher, brings together the most interesting incidents that shaped Gandhiji’s life and his most important sayings. From his quest for truth, non-violence, equality and freedom, from the lessons he learned, and from his powerful words, you too can learn to be a little bit like Gandhiji. Through what he did and what he said Gandhiji inspired millions of Indians and made one of the mightiest empires in the world bow to his dream: freedom for India. That’s what made him an uncommon man and the greatest leader of the millennium. And that’s why, even decades after his death, his work and his words matter in today’s world. Mahatma Gandhi never said, “What can I do, I’m only one person.” Instead he said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” And he did.
In the Country of Gold Digging Ants
Puffin Books, Penguin India, 2009 (): Astonishing stories about India written by explorers who came to the country as pilgrims, students, traders, voyagers and fortune-seekers from the 3rd century BC till the mid-twentieth century. These visitors left behind fascinating accounts of their perilous journeys in an unknown land; descriptions of what the people ate, wore and thought; who ruled them and how; the strange animals of this land, and many more startling facts which are often the only written historical records of those times. Filled with incredible stories and nuggets of information, In the Country of Gold-digging Ants brings alive the exciting adventures of eleven intrepid men and women, and may just make history your most favourite subject.
On Top of the World
Puffin India, Oct 2010 (): A month after he had set out, sixteen-year-old Arjun Vajpai stood on top of the world, having conquered Mount Everest. At that time he was the youngest non-Sherpa person in the world to do so. He remains the youngest Indian to have climbed the peak. It had indeed been a long journey. Arjun s fascination with mountains began at the age of ten, nurtured and encouraged by his parents, teachers, and close friends. As a trekker and an athlete, he had trained and worked hard to achieve this amazing feat of endurance. This is Arjun s story in his own words. Accompany him on an adventure of a lifetime; read about his incredible ascent; and learn what it takes to be a mountaineer. On Top of the World is an unforgettable story of inspiration, fortitude and courage; of having a seemingly impossible dream and daring to chase it.
Atisa and the Time Machine
Puffin India, Oct 2010 (): Atisa is back! This time in his time-travel balloon! Young Atisa thought he was all set for a cushy ride on Daedalus's balloon to join his mother Gaea in Central Asia. But Danyi, a warrior from the Chinese Emperor's court, a fierce Gobi blizzard and a mysterious white horse compel him to cross paths with Hieun Tsang, the famed monk and traveller who is on his way to King Harshavardhan's court. It soon becomes clear that Hieun Tsang is a hunted man, and despite Atisa's invaluable assistance, the situation only becomes ever more dangerous. Sea pirates, several assassination attempts, friends who cannot be trusted-somebody is determined to make sure that he never returns to China. Who is the implacable enemy that seeks to harm Hieun Tsang? Will Atisa find the courage needed to defeat the dark forces? Will he reach China safe with the knowledge so arduously collected? Join Atisa and the great monk on their fantastic adventures across 7th century Central Asia and India.
Jatayu: Saviour from the Skies (Mythquest series 1)
Hatchette India, 2011 (): "The battle raged in the skies ... Jatayu refused to give up, taking on Ravana with his giant claws and mighty wings" He was majestic, he was strong, he was the wise king of birds. Blessed by the gods and armed with celestial powers, Jatayu races to the sun, saves Dasharatha from Shani's deadly glance and, in the end, fights the powerful Ravana, sacrificing all he had in the name of justice and loyalty.
Nandi: The Divine Gatekeeper (Mythquest series 2)
Hatchette India, 2011 (): "Nandi was fearless?he gored all the powerful asuras to death in a fierce and swift motion" He was ever obedient, he was brave and he was the most favoured of Shiva?s followers. Nandi, the great bull and gatekeeper of Shiva's abode, carried the Three-Eyed One across the universe. Always at Shiva's side, he danced the mystical tandava with him, fought great battles and even drank a deadly poison to prove his complete devotion to his lord.
Jambavan: The Immortal Bear King (Mythquest series 3)
Hatchette India, 2011 (): "?ambavan came face to face with Ravana. He moved with a speed and fought with a ferocity that was unbelievable" He was endowed with incredible strength, he had the wisdom of the sages and he was a born leader. Jambavan, the great bear king, led the army of vanaras in their search for Sita. He helped Rama fight Ravana and even helped restore the Syamanatakmani gem to clear Krishna's name.

South Asian Women authors
Sawnet Bookshelf
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