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Pankaj Mishra

    January 1, 1969

    Pankaj Mishra is a distinguished Indian essayist and novelist whose work delves into themes of social and cultural transformation, the longing for fulfillment, and the pursuit of modernity. His travelogues and essays often explore the intersection of tradition and globalization, while his novels wryly portray characters seeking meaning beyond their own cultural contexts. Mishra skillfully blends memoir, history, and philosophy to illuminate the relevance of ancient thought for contemporary times. His writing is marked by a keen insight into the human psyche and social dynamics across diverse landscapes.

    Bland Fanatics
    The Siege of Krishnapur
    An End to Suffering
    From the Ruins of Empire
    From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia
    Yes
    • 2025

      The World after Gaza

      • 192 pages
      • 7 hours of reading

      The book offers a critical examination of the Gaza conflict, linking it to broader historical narratives of trauma and oppression, particularly the Holocaust and colonialism. It contrasts Western triumphalism with the experiences of marginalized communities, highlighting the significance of decolonization and racial equality. As global power dynamics shift, the author argues for a reevaluation of prevailing historical perspectives to address pressing questions about identity, suffering, and rising racial tensions. This work serves as a moral guide for understanding the complexities of our contemporary world.

      The World after Gaza
    • 2024

      Literature at the End of History

      Returning Politics to Culture

      • 272 pages
      • 10 hours of reading

      The book critiques the perceived cultural stagnation and moral decline in Western societies, exploring the implications of this backwardness on contemporary life. It delves into historical and philosophical contexts, examining how cultural values have shifted over time. The author presents a thought-provoking analysis of societal norms, questioning the impact of modernity on traditional values and suggesting pathways for cultural rejuvenation. Through various examples, the narrative challenges readers to reflect on the future of Western civilization.

      Literature at the End of History
    • 2022

      Run And Hide

      • 336 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      3.1(15)Add rating

      FROM THE AWARD WINNING AUTHOR OF AGE OF ANGER COMES A GATSBY-ESQUE TALE OF WEALTH AND AMBITION 'A book that demands to be read' MOHSIN HAMID 'Terrific . . . deeply satisfying to read' KAMILA SHAMSIE Arun and his two classmates, Aseem and Virendra, are the success stories of their generation. As graduates of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, they have smashed social barriers and played-out Gatsby-style fantasies across the globe. Run and Hide is a lyrical and piercing story of morality, materialism and upheaval in an every-changing world. 'Sharp, provocative and engaging . . . Run and Hide might be the most zeitgeisty novel you could read' SPECTATOR 'One of the finest, bravest writers we have' JUNOT DIAZ 'It'll entertain the hell out of you' MOHAMMED HANIF 'A novel of loss and moral collapse worthy of Henry James' JOSHUA FERRIS

      Run And Hide
    • 2020

      Bland Fanatics

      • 224 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      3.9(362)Add rating

      One of the most acclaimed essayists writing today on the political hysteria plaguing the West

      Bland Fanatics
    • 2017

      Age of Anger

      • 416 pages
      • 15 hours of reading
      3.6(150)Add rating

      Urgent, profound and extraordinarily timely John Banville

      Age of Anger
    • 2017

      Age of anger : a history of the present

      • 416 pages
      • 15 hours of reading
      3.8(64)Add rating

      "How can we explain the origins of the great wave of paranoid hatreds that seem inescapable in our close-knit world - from American 'shooters' and ISIS to Trump, from a rise in vengeful nationalism across the world to racism and misogyny on social media? In Age of Anger, Pankaj Mishra answers our bewilderment by casting his gaze back to the eighteenth century, before leading us to the present. He shows that as the world became modern those who were unable to fulfil its promises - freedom, stability and prosperity - reacted in horrifyingly similar ways- intense hatred of invented enemies, attempts to re-create an imaginary golden age, and self-empowerment through spectacular violence. Today, just as then, the wider embrace of mass politics, technology, and the pursuit of wealth and individualism has cast many more billions adrift in a literally demoralized world, uprooted from tradition but still far from modernity - with the same terrible results. Making startling connections and comparisons, Age of Angeris a history of our present predicament unlike any other."

      Age of anger : a history of the present
    • 2013

      The Other Hundred

      • 240 pages
      • 9 hours of reading

      Focusing on the lives of individuals outside the wealthy elite, this collection features 100 powerful photographs that highlight the stories of those often overlooked. Selected by a prestigious panel, each image captures the struggles, triumphs, hopes, and dreams of real people, celebrating their resilience and humanity. This unique perspective contrasts sharply with the typical narratives of wealth, showcasing the richness of life experiences beyond financial status.

      The Other Hundred
    • 2013

      A Financial Times and The Economist Best Book of the Year and a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice A SURPRISING, GRIPPING NARRATIVE DEPICTING THE THINKERS WHOSE IDEAS SHAPED CONTEMPORARY CHINA, INDIA, AND THE MUSLIM WORLD A little more than a century ago, independent thinkers across Asia sought to frame a distinct intellectual tradition that would inspire the continent's rise to dominance. Yet this did not come to pass, and today those thinkers—Tagore, Gandhi, and later Nehru in India; Liang Qichao and Sun Yat-sen in China; Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Abdurreshi al Ibrahim of the Ottoman Empire—are seen as outsiders within the main anticolonial tradition. But as Pankaj Mishra demonstrates in this enthralling portrait of like minds, Asia's revolt against the West is not the one led by faith-fired terrorists and thwarted peasants; rather, it is rooted in the ideas of these once renowned intellectuals. Now, when the ascendency of Asia seems possible as never before, From the Ruins of Empire is as necessary as it is timely—a book indispensable to our understanding of the world and our place in it.

      From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia
    • 2013

      A surprising, gripping narrative depicting the thinkers whose ideas shaped contemporary China, India, and the Muslim world.

      From the Ruins of Empire
    • 2007

      Temptations of the West

      How to Be Modern in India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Beyond

      • 336 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      3.7(387)Add rating

      A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice highlights a compelling narrative that captivates readers with its intricate characters and thought-provoking themes. The story delves into complex relationships, exploring the nuances of human emotions and societal challenges. With rich prose and a unique perspective, it invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and the broader world around them. This book promises to resonate deeply, making it a must-read for those seeking both entertainment and insight.

      Temptations of the West