MURMURS OF MATURITY

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR EXISTENCE? WHILE ARISTOTLE MAY ARGUE THAT HAPPINESS IS LIFE'S PURPOSE, THE ANSWERS REMAIN ELUSIVE. AND THROUGH SUCH CONFUSIONS, COMING-OF-AGE NOVELS ARISE

- WAQUAR HABIB

ENGLISH, AUGUST by UPAMANYU CHATTERJEE

Released in the late 80s and adapted into a film in 1994, Upamanyu Chatterjee's novel was dubbed India's "Catcher in the Rye." The story revolves around Agastya Sen, a civil servant stationed in a remote village. Chatterjee's narrative blends coming-of-age with slacker themes, offering a satirical take on Indian bureaucracy through Agastya's idleness and reflections on estrangement, sexuality, and family dynamics.

STONER → by JOHN WILLIAM