Unlike the West, these narrations feel more at home

The way a book mesmerizes and transports you to another world, no other mediums of entertainment can. Books fascinate everyone, taking you to unknown places creating an escape by building an alternate universe that is either utopic or dystopic. Even if many continue to disagree, literature has a heavy influence on the minds, societies and cultures. And India has always produced some of the finest and greatest literature in the world. Here is a list of classics in the English language by Indian authors that is a must-read.

The English Teacher by RK Narayan This 1945 novel follows the life of English teacher Krishna in the sleepy town of Malgudi. The book narrating the monotony of Krishna’s life from the job to him navigating his responsibilities as a family man and handling the curveballs of life. Filled with humour, drama, and profound scenes, the book keeps one hooked throughout. It is a part of a series of novels and collections of short stories set in Malgudi by the author. Autobiographical but also poignant in its feelings, the story follows the English teacher’s quest for inner peace and self-development.

Untouchable by Mulk Raj Anand The story of the novel was is inspired by an experience that Anand’s aunt had when she was treated like an outcast by a Muslim family. A short read gives a look into the cruelty of the caste system through the eyes of a sweeper called Bakha. Through Bakha’s life, the author gives the reader a glimpse into the stark realities of the discrimination that prevailed in the pre-independence era. Anand’s other work, The Private Life of an Indian Prince is in fact considered as one of his finest works. The story revolves around the abolition of princely states in India, navigating through the life of a King and his fascination towards one of his mistresses.

A House for Mr Biswas by VS Naipaul This 1961 novel follows Mohun Biswas, a Hindu Indo-Trinidadian whose aim in life is to strive for success, most of which fails. He marries the influential Tulsi family but finds himself being dominated by them and then finally sets on a goal of owning his own house. This tale of perpetually unlucky Biswas was included in TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked this book number 72 on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.

A few other Indian classics are The Guide by R.K Narayan, A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth and Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh among others.