The Pink, White and Blue Universe
- Description
- About the Author
-
The Pink, White and Blue Universe is a collection of tales that record Meira Chand's own personal passage to India. Set in the colour-drenched chaos of Mumbai, these stories weave together the elements of faith, sensuality, hope and pathos that pervade the many corners of life in India.
Ranging from tender and poignant to dark and comic, the stories in this collection are peopled by those cast adrift and left in states of bewilderment as they navigate their way through a society that is both humane and pitiless. India delivers to these characters moments of reckoning as they confront complexities and contradictions at the heart of themselves.
Intriguing setting: Dive deep into Meira Chand's evocative tales set in vibrant Mumbai, where every shade of emotion paints a portrait of life in this mesmerising country. Discover a world where faith, sensuality, and the raw essence of humanity come alive in every story.
Memorable characters: From touching narratives to tales with a dark comic twist, Meira Chand masterfully captures the essence of characters seeking their place amidst India's captivating blend of tradition and modernity. Every story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.
Provocative themes: Witness intimate encounters that challenge and transform, as readers confront their innermost truths amidst the complexities of a society that reflects both compassion and indifference. Let India's contrasts enlighten and inspire through the profound storytelling.
-
Born and educated in London, Meira Chand is of Swiss-Indian parentage. She studied art at St Martin’s School of Art & Design and later taught art at an international school in Japan before turning to writing. She has a PhD in Creative Writing from the University of Western Australia.
Her life is lived between East and West and the concept of Home is multifaceted. In 1962 she moved from London to Japan, living there until 1971, when she left to spend five years in India. In 1976 she returned again to Japan, residing there until 1997, when she relocated to Singapore, where she now lives. In 2011 she became a Singapore citizen.
Her multi-cultural heritage and the confluence of different cultures in her life is reflected in her novels, which explore issues of identity, belonging and cultural dislocation. Five of her novels are set in Japan – The Gossamer Fly (1979), Last Quadrant (1981), The Bonsai Tree (1983), The Painted Cage (1986) and A Choice of Evils (1996).
Contemporary India is the location of House of the Sun (1989) that, in 1990, was adapted for the stage in London where it had a successful run at Theatre Royal Stratford East. It was the first Asian play, with an all-Asian cast and direction, performed in London. The play was voted “Critic’s Choice” by Time Out magazine. Also set in India, but in Calcutta during the early days of the Raj, A Far Horizon (2001) considers the notorious story of the Black Hole of Calcutta.
Set against the backdrop of Singapore, A Different Sky (2010) follows the lives of three families through the 30 tumultuous years leading up to Singapore’s independence. On its publication, the novel was a “Book of the Month choice” by the UK bookshop chain, Waterstones, and was on Oprah Winfrey’s recommended reading list. It was also long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2012.
Her latest novel, Sacred Waters (2017), moves between two timelines, stretching from India to Singapore and Burma, and is a compelling exploration of two women’s struggle to assert themselves in male-dominated societies of the past and the present.
In Singapore she is involved in many programmes to promote literature and mentor young writers. She is a board member of the National Arts Council.
Cover Type: Paperback
Year Published: 2023
Size: 198mm x 130mm
Language: English