This anthology, consisting of sixteen critical essays and one interview, attempts to explore and evaluate the ‘writing difference’ in the novels of Shashi Deshpande. Closely focused on her major concerns such as the enigmatic fissures in human relationships, the arresting figurations of autonomy and responsibility, the challenging dilemmas of cultural representation, of resistance and reconciliation in an urban, postcolonial, Indian milieu, the volume equally makes for an indepth reading and scrutiny of each of Deshpande’s novels published so far. Critical perspectives in these essays, though varied, complement each other and notably cohere to enhance the reader’s understanding of this major Indian English novelist of our times.

Chanchala K. Naik teaches English at the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Northeast Campus, Shillong. Prior to joining the CIEFL, she served at the Tura Campus of the North-Eastern Hill University, as Reader and Head of the English Department. She studied at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, and received her Ph.D. from NEHU, Shillong. She has published widely on Indian English Literature, both in national and international journals and her articles are included in many anthologies. Her research interest includes English Language Teaching, Modern Drama, Feminism and Postcolonial Studies.