One of the best Urdu books is 'Godan' by Premchand. It beautifully portrays the life of Indian peasants, their struggles, and the social issues they face. Another great one is 'Umrao Jaan Ada' which is a classic love story set in the backdrop of Lucknow's cultural richness. 'Manto Ke Afsane' by Saadat Hasan Manto is also highly recommended. Manto's stories are known for their bold and realistic portrayal of society during the partition era.
Some popular must - read Urdu novels include 'Rangrez' which explores themes of love and sacrifice in a unique way. 'Basti' by Intizar Husain is a thought - provoking novel that reflects on the partition of India and the loss of identity. And 'Toba Tek Singh' by Saadat Hasan Manto is a short but powerful story that delves into the absurdity of the partition.
One of the best Urdu comedy novels is 'Chandni Begum' by Ibn-e-Insha. It is full of humorous situations and witty dialogues that keep the readers entertained throughout.
One of the best Russian classic novels is 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. It's a massive epic that delves into the lives of Russian aristocracy during the Napoleonic Wars. The characters are complex and the story is rich in historical detail.
One of the best Indian novels is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It beautifully portrays the complex relationships within a family in Kerala. Another great one is 'Midnight's Children' by Salman Rushdie. It weaves a magical story around the children born at the stroke of India's independence. 'A Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth is also a classic, which gives a detailed look into post - independence India's society through the story of finding a suitable boy for a girl in a family.
One of the best Asian novels is 'The Tale of Genji' from Japan. It was written by Murasaki Shikibu. It's considered a classic as it gives deep insights into the Heian period's court life, with complex characters and beautiful prose.
One great LGBT fiction book is 'Call Me by Your Name' by André Aciman. It beautifully captures a summer of love and self - discovery between two young men. The prose is lush and really draws you into the Italian setting and the intense emotions of the characters.
Well, 'All the King's Men' is a classic presidential - ish fiction. It's about a political figure who rises to power through somewhat unethical means, and it gives a great look into the darker side of politics. Then there's '1984' which, while not directly about a US president, has a lot of themes relevant to power and dictatorship that can be related to presidential leadership. Also, 'Animal Farm' by George Orwell, which can be seen as a parable about leadership gone wrong, much like how a bad president could lead a nation astray.
One of the best Indian travel novels is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy. It beautifully weaves the story of a family in Kerala, India, and through it, the reader gets a vivid sense of the local culture, the backwaters, and the complex social fabric of the region. The descriptions are so immersive that it feels like you are traveling through the small towns and villages of Kerala.
One of the best Boston fiction books is 'The Given Day' by Dennis Lehane. It beautifully captures the city during a tumultuous time in its history, with vivid descriptions of the neighborhoods and the people. Another great one is 'A Prayer for Owen Meany' by John Irving. The story is set in New Hampshire but has strong connections to Boston, and the characters are so well - drawn that you can't help but be drawn into their world. And 'The Bostonians' by Henry James is a classic that gives insights into the social fabric of the city in the 19th century.
One of the best Spanish fiction books is 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes. It's a classic that has influenced literature worldwide. The story of the deluded knight and his sidekick Sancho Panza is both humorous and profound.