Kitaab interview with Shashi Deshpande: ‘We seem to confuse fast-selling fiction with significant writing’
2 min read“It’s true we need all kinds of books, not only because the publisher needs to make money but because of the vast number of readers with a vast number of tastes out there,” says famous Indian novelist and short story writer Shashi Deshpande in this interview with Kitaab fiction editor Monideepa Sahu. “All readers cannot appreciate the same kind of books. The problem, as I see it, especially in India, is that we seem to confuse fast-selling fiction with significant writing and then giving it undue importance.”
Shashi Deshpande’s dignified presence, her innate warmth and grace, can win the hearts and minds of anyone from aspiring writers to intellectual opponents. Her twinkling eyes belie a razor-sharp mind; one which sees through human subterfuges and smiles at the quirks and ironies of life.
This prolific author began her career with short stories and has gone on to pen nine short story collections, twelve novels and four books for children. She has also written essays on topics such as feminism, literature and language. Translations are another part of her rich repertoire, and her own work has been translated into several languages. Among her many honours, is India’s prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel That Long Silence. Her latest novel, Shadow Play, has been shortlisted for The Hindu Prize, 2014. She was honoured by the Indian Government with the Padma Shri in 2008.
2 thoughts on “Kitaab interview with Shashi Deshpande: ‘We seem to confuse fast-selling fiction with significant writing’”