AN INDIAN IN INGLISTAN: A NOVEL by Rajesh Talwar

 AN INDIAN IN INGLISTAN: A NOVEL by Rajesh Talwar | Book Review

"An Indian in Inglistan" is a unique novel that blends fiction, travelogue, and cultural critique. It follows Rabi, an Indian lawyer studying human rights law at Oxford, as he navigates life in late-90s England.

I found the book both witty and thoughtful. Rabi’s observations about British manners, Indian identity, and cultural misunderstandings feel honest and relatable. His interactions with classmates from around the world, especially a British-Indian named Punit and a charming English girl, add colour and complexity to the narrative.

Rabi’s journey is not just across continents but across the complex terrain of identity, tradition, love, and belonging. Through subtle reflections and understated interactions, the author crafts a story that feels deeply personal and yet universally resonant.

Rather than a fast-paced plot, the narrative unfolds like an introspective journal, filled with quiet pauses, nuanced dialogues, and cultural undercurrents. Rabi’s encounters with British customs, family expectations, and the charm of a cross-cultural romance with Janice are layered and authentic. There’s a delightful secondary narrative that emerges through characters like Mamata and Punit, whose presence adds both contrast and warmth.

This book doesn’t follow a tight, twist-filled plot, and that’s something readers need to know going in. It's more of a collection of experiences, stitched together by Rabi’s presence and perspective. The pacing is gentle, which some may find slow, but it mirrors the academic, contemplative life at Oxford. Each chapter reads like an episode in a larger journey.

Overall, "An Indian in Inglistan" is more than a novel—it's a quiet yet powerful reflection on what it means to belong in a world divided by borders, cultures, and unspoken assumptions.

Purchase here.

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