Of Ancestors and Friends

Embark on a magnificent journey through a lifetime of reading, writing, and literary companionship with Of Ancestors and Friends by acclaimed writer, critic, and translator Shanta Gokhale!

About the Book: As a lifelong bibliophile and towering figure in Indian letters, Shanta Gokhale looks back at her extraordinary reading life, examining the masterworks and writers she has loved, questioned, and returned to across the decades. In this collection of thoughtful, deeply analytical personal essays, Gokhale reads world literature through the sharp, discerning prism of a modern Indian sensibility.

From critical engagements with literary giants like Shri Na Pendse, Kiran Nagarkar, U.R. Ananthamurthy, and Alka Saraogi alongside Jane Austen, Jean-Paul Sartre, Naguib Mahfouz, Salman Rushdie, and Kazuo Ishiguro, Of Ancestors and Friends treats books as living texts. Gokhale explores how literature speaks truth to power, dissects the intricate art of translation, and recounts delightful anecdotes from her own book-hunting days—discovering rare volumes in dusty second-hand shops, decoding curious inscriptions, and pondering the ethics of "borrowing" books permanently. Sparking with wit, warmth, and fierce intellect, this is a rare and rewarding memoir about what it means to live alongside books.

Key Features & Benefits:

• Acclaimed Literary Voice: Written by Shanta Gokhale, one of India's most respected cultural critics, authors, and translators.

• Bridge Across Literatures: Seamlessly weaves together regional Indian masterpieces and global classics, offering fresh, insightful perspectives on both.

• Rich Personal Anecdotes: Filled with charming reflections on bookselling, second-hand browsing, and personal encounters with legendary playwrights and authors from Maharashtra.

• The Perfect Gift: An absolute treasure for book lovers, writers, translators, students of literature, and anyone who cherishes the intimate bond between reader and page.