In Custody
In Custody
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1994
Book Brief
248
Novel • Fiction
India • 20th Century
1994
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Anita Desai's In Custody, Deven Sharma, a disillusioned Hindi literature teacher and failed poet, finds solace in Urdu poetry. His life takes a turn when he is given the chance to interview his poetic idol, Nur Shahjehanabadi, an opportunity that reignites his old passions and aspirations amid a backdrop of personal and societal struggles in contemporary India. The book depicts scenes of addiction and squalor.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Unnerving
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
1,985 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Custody by Anita Desai is praised for its evocative prose and deep exploration of cultural decay and personal disillusionment. Reviewers commend Desai's sensitive portrayal of her characters and their struggles. However, some criticize the novel's slow pacing and occasionally bleak tone. Overall, it offers a rich, albeit somber, narrative that resonates with readers seeking profound literary themes.
Who Should Read In Custody?
In Custody by Anita Desai will captivate readers who appreciate literary fiction exploring complex human emotions and cultural conflicts. Fans of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake will find Desai's storytelling immersive and thought-provoking, with rich character development and poignant themes of identity and tradition.
1,985 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
248
Novel • Fiction
India • 20th Century
1994
Adult
18+ years
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