Attia Hosain is one of the most influential Indian writers of the twentieth century. In these beautifully wrought stories, she depicts characters who are caught between worlds and cultures.
Attia Hosain Books
January 1, 1913 – January 25, 1998
Attia Hosain was a writer, feminist, and broadcaster whose work explored the complexities of human relationships and societal expectations. Her prose offered a keen insight into character psychology and a nuanced portrayal of Indian society. Hosain was noted for her feminist perspective, seeking to give voice to women often silenced within patriarchal structures. Her literary legacy lies in her courageous examination of themes concerning identity, tradition, and modernization.
Laila, orphaned daughter of a distinguished Muslim family, is brought up by her orthodox aunts who keep purdah. At 15, she moves to the home of a "liberal" uncle in Lucknow. Here, during the 1930s, as the struggle for independence sharpens, Laila is surrounded by relatives and university friends caught up in politics. But Laila is unable to commit herself to any her own fight for independence is a struggle with traditional life as she falls in love with a man not chosen by her family. With its beautiful evocation of India, its political insight and unsentimental understanding of the human heart, this is a classic of Muslim life.
